Seattle Council Considers Roots to Roofs Pilot Program for Affordable Housing Development

The Seattle City Council's Land Use Committee convened on July 30, 2025, to discuss Council Bill 121011, which proposes a pilot program called "Roots to Roofs." This initiative aims to foster partnerships between community-based organizations with limited development experience and more seasoned nonprofit or for-profit developers to create low and moderate-income housing.

The pilot program is designed to enhance the development capacity of these projects, allowing them to attract capital more effectively. It defines "equitable development uses" broadly, encompassing various activities that mitigate displacement pressures on cultural populations at risk. Examples of such uses include commercial kitchens, community gathering spaces, and coffee shops.

Key provisions of the bill include a requirement that at least 25% of the housing units developed must be affordable to lower-income households. The program would also offer additional development capacity, such as increased floor area ratios and height allowances, while exempting qualifying projects from certain design reviews and parking requirements.

Council Member Rink emphasized the importance of this legislation, noting that it has undergone multiple revisions based on feedback from community stakeholders, including organizations like the Urban League and Habitat for Humanity. The council aims to address the pressing need for deeply affordable housing, particularly for households earning 30% or less of the area median income.

The pilot program is limited to 35 projects over several years, with plans to evaluate its effectiveness after implementation. Rink highlighted that while the bill does not provide direct subsidies, it serves as a tool to support ongoing housing projects and stretch existing investments further.

The committee's discussions reflect a commitment to increasing community-led affordable housing, particularly in historically marginalized areas. As the city grapples with a housing crisis, the Roots to Roofs program represents a strategic effort to enhance affordable housing availability and address broader affordability challenges in Seattle.