Cantwell, Roberts Introduce Bill to Renew Low-Income Housing Tax Provision
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize a critical tax provision for improving access to affordable housing and spurring private investment in developments that support small businesses and construction jobs nationwide
Construction begins at Jimi Hendrix Park
Seattle Parks and Recreation contracted with ERRG, Inc. to transform Jimi Hendrix Park in Seattle’s Central District into a celebratory space worthy of its namesake, hometown rock icon Jimi Hendrix. The 2.5-acre green space, located adjacent to the Northwest African American Museum, will come to life throughout the summer and is scheduled to be complete by the end of September 2015
Increases in local construction drive proposal for budget update
Clark County would hire two building safety inspectors and a customer support specialist to help complete local projects under a budget proposal headed for public hearing before the Board of County Councilors
Rep. Newhouse Statement on House Passage of FY 2016 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill
Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2016 Energy and Water Appropriations bill by a vote of 240 to 170. The Senate must now write and pass an appropriations bill
Jaime Herrera Beutler and T-HUD Committee Chairman Press Government Accountability Office
Jaime Herrera Beutler and Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (T-HUD) joined together yesterday to push for a long term solution for rural communities disqualified from community development grants
Seven projects, 457 affordable homes financed
Developers and nonprofit organizations will create or renovate 457 affordable homes across the state, thanks to almost $67 million in financing approved last Friday by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission
REACH CDC Completes Preservation Project in Washington
REACH CDC announced the completion of the preservation of Towne Square Apartments located in Washougal, WA. Towne Square is comprised of 40 affordable homes for low-income families and strengthens REACH’s mission of providing safe, decent and affordable homes in Washington and Oregon.
Rep. Newhouse Introduces Legislation to Streamline New Surface Water Storage Projects
Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced H.R. 2097, the Bureau of Reclamation Surface Water Storage Streamlining Act of 2015 to streamline the Bureau of Reclamation’s environmental planning and study process for new surface water storage projects. The bill would apply the same streamlined water project development process used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under the Water Resources Reform Development Act of 2014 to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in order to facilitate the construction of new dams and reservoirs
Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle Announces First Quarter 2015
Today, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle (Seattle Bank) announced preliminary financial highlights for the three months ended March 31, 2015, reporting $10.4 million of net income, compared to $10.7 million in first quarter 2014, and an increase in its retained earnings balance to $356.6 million as of March 31, 2015, from $346.4 million as of December 31, 2014. Net income for the quarter takes into account $10.8 million of merger-related expenses
Murray Applauds Investments in Washington State Airports to Boost Infrastructure, Economic Growth
The grants will make critical improvements to the airports in order to handle increased air traffic, assess short- and long-term needs, and promote economic growth in both urban and rural areas.
Security Properties Announces Purchase of The Grove at Flynn’s Crossing
Security Properties has acquired the 168-unit Grove at Flynn's Crossing located in Ashburn, VA for $31.0 million. The property, located at 21892 Blossom Hill Terrace, consists of affordable apartments for individuals and families earning up to 60 percent of area median income.
City of Seattle Accepts $15.5 million in Transportation Grants
The City of Seattle today accepted $15.5 million in grants to improve walking, biking, transit and street operations in Seattle. Secured through grant applications by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), the federal and state funds will help build sidewalks and protected bike lanes, maintain the South Lake Union Streetcar, and enhance Seattle’s system of roadway sensors, cameras and variable message boards.
HDC completes Washington State Affordable Housing Portfolio Study, presents findings
Earlier we reported on work by Housing Development Center’s Asset Management Services team to help Washington State Department of Commerce and Washington State Housing Finance Commission plan for the future capital needs of Washington’s affordable housing portfolio.
Sea-Tac Airport’s Center Runway to Close for Reconstruction
The Port of Seattle is set to begin reconstruction of the center runway (designated as 16C/34C) at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The runway, which was originally built in 1969, is scheduled to be closed between May 4 and October 30, 2015. Reconstruction is not expected to impact flight schedules, passenger traffic, or any other airport operations
THE SEATTLE MORTGAGE BANKERS ASSOCIATION AND THE WASHINGTON MORTGAGE LENDERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCE MERGER
Two long-standing and highly respected business organizations have announced their merger. The Seattle Mortgage Bankers Association (SMBA) and the Washington Mortgage Lenders Association (WMLA) will merge, effective February 1, becoming the Washington Mortgage Bankers Association (WMBA). According to WMBA president Lynne Garton, by combining the strengths of the two organizations, “… the WMBA will offer greater support to the mortgage banking community in our state.
Plan would keep wastewater, pollution out of Seattle’s waterways
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) today proposed a 15-year plan to prevent millions of gallons of untreated wastewater and polluted runoff from flowing into creeks, lakes, the Duwamish, and Puget Sound.
Rental Housing Inspections Begin in Seattle This Spring
A selection of rental housing properties will receive safety inspections starting this month. These inspections are taking place under the Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance (RRIO), which was established by the Seattle City Council to help ensure that rental housing properties in Seattle are safe and meet basic housing requirements and safety standards
First Half Property taxes Due April 30
Doug Lasher, Clark County Treasurer, stated that first-installment property taxes are due on Thursday, April 30, 2015. “If you have not received your 2015 first-installment tax statement or have lost it, you can visit our website
Larsen Supports Affordable Housing for Homeless Veterans
About 35 veterans experiencing homelessness in Snohomish, Skagit and Island counties will receive permanent housing through a grant program that Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02,has long supported. The housing vouchers, including 12 for Snohomish County, 7 for Skagit County, and 14 for Island County, are awarded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH).
DelBene Praises New Funding for Washington’s Homeless Veterans
Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today praised Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julian Castro’s announcement that the King, Snohomish and Skagit housing authorities will receive new funding to reduce veteran homelessness under the HUD-VASH program. The program helps homeless veterans become self-sufficient by combining rental assistance from HUD with case management and support services from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
