Cascade Party
A new path in Washington State politics.
A new path in Washington State politics.
December 18, 2025 Seattle Social Housing meeting report.
By Krist Novoselić (December 27, 2025)
Coordinated public testimoney denounced CEO Roberto Jiménez. Activists complained the CEO did not exemplify social housing values and demanded he undergo an evaluation and resulting training.
The December 18 Seattle Social Housing Developer (SSHD) meeting opened with Chair Tom Barnard citing a letter from the group House Our Neighbors. He said, while the letter raises concerns over SSHD CEO Roberto Jiménez, it will not be discussed at this meeting.
I have not yet read this letter, nevertheless, public testimony provides a good idea of what this issue is about.
There was individual testimony from 10 people — most regarding CEO Jiménez.
Each speaker cited their connections to one group or another. These include House Our Neighbors, Transit Riders Union, MLK Labor, 350 Seattle, Nickelsville, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 46 and Seattle Human Rights Commission.
Others introduced themselves as canvassers and door knockers for the effort which successfully passed Social Housing. There was also much praise for mayor-elect Katie Wilson, suggesting these folks worked on her campaign.
In an apparent organized denunciation of Jiménez, one speaker after another, stayed on message.
The overall script, articulated through individual testimony, was about how tens of millions of dollars are coming soon and Jiménez should not be leading; because he does not have a good relationship with the board.
Another repeated claim is how Jiménez does not fit the values of Social Housing. These values include stated notions of equity, climate justice, social justice and general identity politics.
Each speaker repeated the message of how the CEO must undergo a formal evaluation resulting in needed training with relating to the board and the social housing movement at large.
Phil Lewis introduced himself as Co-Chair of the Seattle Human Rights Commission, but then followed with a disclaimer that his testimony was in a, “personal capacity”.
Lewis shared his deep belief in, “equitable and thriving social housing in our community in Seattle and the wider country.” He was concerned about the, “lack of accountability and harm” over SSHD leadership.
Lewis then delivered the day’s keynote, "Social housing must develop an equitable relationship with House Our Neighbor’s leadership.”
House Our Neighbors (HON) is the driving force behind social housing. This group also authored the recent letter stating concerns over the CEO.
Tiffany McCoy is Co-Executive Director of HON. She is also one of the five leaders of mayor-elect Wilson’s transition team.
It’s no stretch to think HON coordinated the speakers at the public testimony.
Under Pressure
Jiménez has been attacked for months.
The first salvo was a complaint alleging anti-Black racism and bullying. The SSHD spent $64 thousand of public funds on an investigation into the allegations. (This report should be public any day now and will be the subject of another article.)
These allegations resemble a situation with another public agency where politicized staff have weaponized the complaint process.
According to The Seattle Times,
Emails The Seattle Times received in a public records request hinted at rifts between CEO Kinnison and her executive leadership team at the King County Regional Homelessness Authority over her hiring practices. One email from Deputy CEO Simon Foster from April questioned her desire to hire candidates with certain characteristics.
"Certain characteristics" is code for identity politics. An investigation resulted in Kinnison receiving coaching.
Politics of Faction
THE SUMMIT is your best source for SSHD reporting. One aspect we’ve covered is how the board has split into factions.
One side is lead by Jiménez and Chair Barnard, representing the old socialist guys.
The other faction are younger and driven by identity politics. This sentiment goes beyond the social housing board and now defines the city’s political establishment.
I believe that, left to their own devices, the old socialists on the board could actually make social housing happen. That said, things are not looking good for this faction.
December’s meeting announced how the Seattle Renters Commission (SRC) are due to appoint two new members to the SSHD board. Whoever coordinated the public testimony for the December meeting must surely be maneuvering the SRC appointment of the two new board members.
Seattle Social Housing is a stunning money and power grab. Tiffany McCoy and others have stitched a non-profit into an exclusive government. The magic of this hybrd is how it eliminates the need for grants or government contracts; public money is instead funneled directly into the enterprise — in perpetuity!
The city at large carries the tax burden, but an exclusive 13 member board controls a currently projected sixty-five million dollars a year in public funds.
What could go wrong?
(There is a lot to unpack from this meeting and there will be another article published really soon.)
Krist Novoselić is Cascade Party Chair. He also represents an at-large position on the board of directors.
