Speakers at the Annual Housing Celebration from left to right: Mayor Bruce Harrell, Samajee Clewis, Maiko Winkler-Chin, Rita Latta, James Lovell, and Christina Latta

Last week, Seattle joined together at the future site of Sweetgrass Flats to honor the progress and efforts shaping our city’s housing future during the Annual Housing Celebration. This event showcased the incredible work achieved through partnerships, investments, and programs to create affordable, healthy homes for our community. We celebrated investments into affordable rental housing and celebrated the valuable efforts of our HomeWise program in mitigating displacement and promoting environmental sustainability.  

Through strategic partnerships and funding coordination—leveraging the Housing Levy alongside federal, state, and city resources—Seattle continues to lead in equitable housing development. 

Highlights of Rental Housing Investments (2024)

• Total Investment: $108.2 million  

• Homes Created: 655 affordable rental homes, including 204 permanent supportive housing homes 

• Focus Areas: Permanent supportive housing, senior housing, and family-friendly homes 

The celebration opened with an incredible performance by the Chief Seattle Club Drummers. OH’s Director, Maiko Winkler-Chin gave opening remarks. She emphasized that despite the current challenges surrounding housing, it’s important to remember our purpose behind the work we do: 

“At the center of everything—every conversation, every program, every intention—are people who are our neighbors, our community, and our family. It’s about ensuring every person here can live with dignity, opportunity, and hope.” 

Mayor Bruce Harrell reflected on the transformation of Seattle’s housing over the years. He emphasized the City’s responsibility to set an example for the state and nation in offering housing solutions for essential workers like grocery store employees and baristas, and primarily for those needing extra assistance with permanent supportive housing. His speech featured a notable quote from Matthew Desmond’s Evicted:  

“The home is the wellspring of personhood. It is where our identity takes root and blossoms, where as children, we imagine, play and question, and as adolescents, we retreat and try. As we grow older, we hope to settle into a place to raise a family or pursue work.” 

James Lovell, Interim Co-Executive Director of Chief Seattle Club, expressed his appreciation to all partners, the Seattle City Council, and voters for making projects like Sweetgrass Flats possible. He reiterated their dedication to addressing homelessness within the Native American community and celebrated the fact that their organization is opening its fifth permanent supportive housing building in three years. Lovell commended the City for their support and partnership and expressed admiration for the community’s resilience in the face of historical challenges. 

Celebrating Community Success 

The Annual Housing Celebration highlighted personal stories that resonate with the heart of this mission. We were inspired by individuals like Samajee Clewis and Rita Latta. 

Samajee Clewis, a graduate of the ASSET Program at Catholic Community Services, reflected on her journey from a felony conviction at a young age to transforming her life through education. The stigma attached to her past mistake made meaningful employment seem impossible until the ASSET Program offered her resources, mentorship, and community. Determined to change her narrative, Clewis pursued her aspirations through education and hard work. Now a case manager at the very organization that assisted her, she aspires to study law, illustrating the transformative potential of second chances and education. 

Rita Latta, a nearing 94-year-old Broadview resident, shared an account of her life and journey with OH’s Home Repair program. After spending a remarkable 30 years working at Northwest Hospital, Rita found herself in a home in serious need of repair. With the help of her daughter, Christina, and staff from OH, she received grants to tackle critical repairs, including a roof replacement, chimney fixes, new bathroom accessibility features, and an upgraded electrical panel. Latta praised the program for allowing her to enjoy warmth and comfort in her own home without having to relocate to a long-term care facility. 

Their journeys are living proof of how these programs empower residents, prevent displacement, and build stability and opportunity in our communities. 

Working Together for a Better Future  

Seattle’s commitment to affordable housing extends beyond numbers and dollars, it’s about building a community where everyone has opportunity and dignity. The City’s efforts aim to address housing challenges by preventing displacement, fostering inclusive development, and securing long-term affordability to meet the needs of both current and future Seattle residents.  

Our Annual Housing Celebration was a reminder of the collective power of City leaders, housing providers, and community members. Together, we’re shaping a Seattle where access to affordable housing is not a privilege but a right for all.   

To learn more about Seattle’s affordable housing initiatives, visit seattle.gov/housing. To view the full presentation, please click this link to watch the video recording of the Annual Housing Celebration.