Members of the Seattle Renters’ Commission have issued a statement urging the City of Seattle to make it easier to construct accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and to further use ADUs to fight the affordability and displacement crisis. As stated in their letter to Mayor Durkan and Seattle City Council:

Our affordability and displacement crises need little introduction. Rents have risen by 60% from 2010 to 2017. 46% of renters in Seattle are “cost burdened,” meaning they spend more than 30% of their incomes on rent.   Neighborhoods like the Central District, whose black population has fallen from 70% to 20% since the 1960s, have been torn apart by displacement.

Making it easier to construct ADUs will give the city more ways to address these crises. ADUs are unique in that they allow us to construct new housing without having to tear down existing homes.  The city’s Environmental Impact Statement suggests that ADU reform would “moderate increases in housing prices” and reduce the number of existing homes being torn down.  

Read the full statement from the Seattle Renter’s Commission on our website.

The Seattle Renters’ Commission (SRC) provides information, advice, and counsel to the Mayor, Seattle City Council, and departments concerning issues and policies affecting renters. Learn more at seattle.gov/neighborhoods/seattle-renters-commission. The SRC is staffed by Seattle Department of Neighborhoods.