Social Housing
—$520 million independent government finding its legs—
—Leadership Shuffle—
By Jesse A. James (March 20, 2025)
The board for the newly implemented Seattle Social Housing (SSH) program convened on the 17th of February. It was the first meeting since the passing of Proposition 1A.
The SSH Charter resembles a cooperative model — which is a form of private business. However, the SSH is not really private as it is funded by taxes taken from the Seattle businesses which pay individuals more than $1 million in salary. This is referred to by social housing advocates as an excessive wage tax.
The excessive wage tax promises to bring in around $520 million in revenue from Seattle big business over the next 10 years. The SSH "authority" is autonomous, and should mind and guard its own affairs. Seattle voters basically created a new, independent government, but with little accountability.
To get the SSH board going, two groups operating in the Seattle non-profit ecosystem each appointed a board member. These were Martin Luther King Jr. County Labor Council and El Centro De La Raza, respectively. These groups then rotate out as the SSH charter provides for allowing other local groups to eventually pick these board seats in rotation.
Seattle's Green New Deal Oversight Board also appointed a member.
Seven members were also initially appointed by the Seattle Renters Commission. According to the SSH Charter, after a building is constructed and inhabited, the renters commission appointees no longer hold power. The new majority of the SSH board are instead elected by the tenants of the social housing.
The SSH Charter refers to the tenants as a constituency, and the rules articulate the rights and roles of this body of renters / voters for the autonomous government.
Only a puny three board members — out of thirteen — are associated with Seattle’s duly-elected government. The city council appoints two seats, while the mayor appoints one seat.
Indeed, Seattle voters passed social housing by a large margin. However, the new multi-million dollar independent government / authority will not have to face voters at large again. I can see how this is an enticing model for the activist Left. It’s an independent Social Democratic government, accountable only to the model described above.
This was the first SSH meeting I have attended, and I plan on attending and covering more. The February meeting was convened over Zoom. The agenda addressed some board related housekeeping by shuffling leadership positions.
Among the biggest orders on the agenda was the appointment of Kayellen Zimmerman to the role of treasurer of the board. Kay is a non-binary female with their bio stating 30 years of baking and cooking, recent employment as a caregiver as well as experiencing multiple stints with homelessness. Her resume also includes work for organizations including LIHI, Bellwether, and Community Roots.
I found Kay coming off as the most out of the loop of the group of 9 attending. Kay constantly exclaimed ignorance of their newfound duties, and the topics discussed at the meeting.
Kay has a lot to learn and it was openly acknowledged they will need, “support in some of the more technical areas.” In light of this, newly appointed vice chair Kaileah Baldwin agreed to shepherd Kay in their new role as treasurer of the $520 million independent government. Baldwin's bio states an, “opposition to white supremacist capitalist heteropatriarchy, and celebratory of QTBIPOC ways of working and being.” Perhaps this perspective could be helpful with helping Zimmerman grapple with working and being treasurer?🤷♀️
Zimmerman and her mentor Baldwin have work to do, indeed. It was reported at the meeting how former treasurer Chuck Depew, who was not present, left a bit of a mess; including past-due unpaid invoices. Hopefully Kay will be able to sort these things out.
Despite being somewhat overshadowed by Kay’s needs, the agenda eventually progressed. Thomas Barnard has resigned as chair. Barnard stepped down to take care of his health, as the amount of work had gotten to him. He sees the future of SSH as a big commitment and does not seem interested in taking it all on. Since the board are at a transitional period, Barnard sees it as a good time to make this change.
The board elected a new chair — Wylie Duffy. Their bio describes them as a non-binary disabled queer. They hope to bring their lived experience to the table. Duffy’s bio states they are “dedicated to doing whatever is in their power to increase access to affordable housing and make oppressive systems obsolete.”
Jesse A. James lives in Seattle. He serves on Cascade Party board of directors in position 7/9. He has run for US House in the 7th CD. James is also a Rock musician.
(Image: Alamy)
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