Summary

King County Council Chair Claudia Balducci is releasing this statement concerning today’s news of Amazon pledging $2 billion for affordable housing projects in and around its hubs. Balducci formerly led the region’s Affordable Housing Task Force and represents Bellevue on the council.

Story

King County Council Chair Claudia Balducci is releasing this statement concerning today’s news of Amazon pledging $2 billion for affordable housing projects in and around its hubs. Balducci formerly led the region’s Affordable Housing Task Force and represents Bellevue on the council. 

“Everyone needs housing to survive and thrive. Our people and our economy will only succeed if we can provide enough quality homes for everyone to be able to live near work, school and other important community supports. In King County, and especially in East King County, the lack of housing that people can afford has caused instability for our residents and challenges to our employers in filling good jobs.

“I applaud Amazon for its announcement of a robust investment in housing, including in our region. It is encouraging to see our state’s largest employer stepping up to provide support to turn the tide on our crisis of housing affordability. I’m pleased to see Amazon’s investments are prioritizing housing in East King County, which will enable equitable access to great jobs and schools, and will help us to remain an inclusive community where people of all income levels can afford to live. I am especially heartened by the partnership with the King County Housing Authority, which has long been one of our most effective providers of affordable housing.

“As a community, it’s on us to rise to this challenge and to work with Amazon and other corporate and community leaders to use every tool we have available to meet the goals of the Affordable Housing Taskforce’s recommendations of building and preserving 44,000 affordable housing units in King County by 2024 and 244,000 by 2040. This investment will help, but we have more work to do. I look forward to partnering with Amazon going forward.”