Social Housing
—Seattle’s Social Housing Thought Police—
—Yet Again: Election of New Officers—
Report on June 26, 2025 Seattle Social Housing board meeting. By Jesse A. James (July 16, 2025)
June’s Seattle Social Housing Board meeting covered some real estate acquisition issues, but was mostly about an investigation into CEO Roberto Jiménez’ alleged behavior. There was also an election for treasurer and board chair. The investigation and election reveal a rift between two factions.
Some individuals have been requesting information via the state’s Public Records Act (PRA). 80 percent of requests can be handled by staff. However, one PRA in particular is large and will “require support” and take some time to respond.
Mike Eliason is on the Real Estate Committee, and reported Project X is back in the works as a potential acquisition. There is now a Project Y, and it was noted this proposal has a lot of risk, and it came up on short notice. A “ground up” construction opportunity was also mentioned. Another project possibility in South Seattle is a mixed-income building. It was stated this project and Project X are best suited for the moment, as fairly new buildings near transit.
CEO Roberto Jiménez said Project X and the new Project Y could be acquired relatively quickly once the financing structure is arranged.
The CEO said the ground-up project property is owned by a public entity who will not likely sell the land. He said it’s not uncommon for land to be owned by one entity and the building, by another. Jiménez added, “The exciting thing is it allows us to design a social housing project how we believe it should be. We can show Seattle and the world how it can be done.” He went on to say there is not good transportation nearby.
There is now a Project Z, which Jiménez said is, “really compelling”. He added, “It has a medical clinic and is a beautiful building. The building’s financials need to be looked at.”
Eliason said he participated on a local panel discussion. There was a lot of support from elected officials, architects, builders and others for a newly-built project.
Jiménez also gave a report about his trip to Ireland to attend a three-day social housing conference. He said the difference between the US and the rest of the world is, “Here, lenders and investors dominate, it’s about finance. In Europe it’s more about public funds with no lenders and investors”. He said Europe is, “more robust, their view is; how do we meet the needs of people in communities? This is refreshing. Countries with economic systems like the US are experiencing similar problems. Countries with public ownership are not having the same kind of social housing problems we are.”
Jiménez thanked House Our Neighbors for sponsoring the trip.
Jiménez has been pursuing a bridge loan from the city and met with council members. At the meeting, CM’s Strauss and Nelson were supportive of the loan. He also met CM’s Saka, Rivera and Kettle. Jimenez said it was positive. The mayor’s staff was also supportive. CM Hollingsworth was supportive and Jimenez thinks the loan, “is a slam dunk.”
According to a June 17, 2025 Seattle Times article, two members of the SSH board have recently resigned. Wylie Duffy, who served as Chair, and Cliff Cawthon, who served as Treasurer, are accusing CEO Jiménez of, “abuse, anti-Black racism and bigotry”, mainly in the form of “micro-aggressions”.
Jiménez responded in the article, calling the issue, “growing pains”, that will pass.
Acting Chair Kaileah Baldwin started the investigation meeting agenda item by articulating the scope of the inquiry. She said it’s not just about the validity of allegations of anti-black racism and demeaning of board members. The investigators will also recommend appropriate remedies.
Baldwin said the scope should include an assessment of fulfillment of Jiménez’ role, his professionalism and communication; high understanding of processes needed to move a development concept towards building and ongoing management.
Baldwin never mentioned the allegations, rather, she read ideological tenets, based on SSH charter values, “understanding of how structures perpetuate poverty, apply principles of equity and anti-racism particularly around immigrant and refugee families, Queer and Trans people, and people with disabilities.”
Baldwin stressed again that these tenets will be included in the investigation along with the allegations. She then explained details of the investigation process.
There was discussion regarding the process and how costs could escalate and the interviews are going to take time.
ChrisTiana ObeySumner said that if the scope of the investigation were to be streamlined, focus should be on the “socio-cultural element between the CEO and board and whether Roberto has been meeting, or not meeting, expectations.” They added, “The interviews of former board members with allegations is not the main source of the investigation.” ObeySumner said, “There are several, and not just a few concerns regarding the interpersonal element between the board and CEO.”
The SSH board had previously voted on pursuing the investigation — before getting any cost estimates. Baldwin warned, ”brace yourself”, as one consultant submitted a $64k estimate for the investigation. Another came in at $79k.
In a disorganized voting process, with a revisit of voting, the board voted for Marcella Reed with MFR Associates to conduct the $64k investigation. (There were three abstentions, one vote for the other proposal and four votes for MFR Associates.)
Brian Abeel ran for Treasurer unopposed. Abeel is a retired finance executive and former Certified Public Accountant with forty-years experience in accounting, finance, aerospace, technology, management and board leadership.
The contest for Chair was between Kaileah Baldwin and Tom Barnard.
Secretary Katie LeBret presided over the election.
Baldwin stated her experience as vice-Chair and inaugural board Chair. Baldwin said she worked hard to earn the board’s trust. She implemented things after hearing members’ feedback. She’s ready to make social housing a success.
Tom Barnard said he was on the board from the beginning, serving as Chair and vice-Chair,
“This is a critical time with the organization and the next year will be vital in determining the success of this body. We need to focus on the role as a PDA whose work is to acquire and manage housing. We spend a lot of time on internal conflicts between our CEO and board and board members. Our stakeholders are concerned over our direction and how we’re being perceived. This is a concrete risk to the organization. I want to be a Chair that improves these relationships.”
Barnard wants to focus on property management and acquisition. He also wants to, “improve the board on-boarding process. We’ve got to do some serious work on that.” He wants to start a community engagement committee. He mentioned his positive relationship with the group’s CEO and board.
Barnard finished by saying he is a committed Democratic Socialist who helped get Seattle social housing off the ground.
LeBret polled members with a messy form of viva voce voting: She called yeas for Baldwin then followed with also calling the Nays for her. Same process with Barnard. Baldwin won four Yea votes. Barnard won five Yeas. ChrisTiana ObeySumner was off the meeting at this point. If she had voted for Baldwin, which I suspect, the vote would have been tied!
Tom Barnard is the new Chair.
The close chair contest and indecisive investigation vote reveals an ideological rift on the Social Housing board; between the pragmatists, who barely won the Chair and Treasurer positions, and the identity politics people.
I count CEO Jiménez as a pragmatist. This wing are less dogmatic while providing real world experience. Their leadership will give the project a better shot at relative success.
As for the investigation into the CEO, the identity politics people are looking beyond allegations of demeaning conduct towards the board. The $64k investigation is thought police.
See you with next month's meeting report.
Jesse A. James lives in Seattle. He serves on Cascade Party board of directors in position 7/9. He is a candidate for Seattle City Council Pos. 8. James is also a Rock musician.