Seattle’s Housing Freeze Meets Ballard Link’s Funding Gap — June 14, 2026

Seattle’s Housing Freeze Meets Ballard Link’s Funding Gap — June 14, 2026

Seattle’s Mandatory Housing Affordability is under pressure as home permitting drops to a third of its recent pace, while Sound Transit says Ballard Link still has a path if it can close a $7 billion to $9 billion gap. IN THIS EPISODE 1. Op-Ed: To Save Mandatory Housing Affordability, We Have to Recalibrate It [https://www.theurbanist.org/op-ed-to-save-mandatory-housing-affordability-we-have-to-recalibrate-it/] — The Urbanist # Op-Ed: To Save Mandatory Housing Affordability, We Have to Recalibrate It Published: 2026-06-12T18:15:40+00:00 Source: theurbanist.org (theurbanist.org) Language: en ## Story Op-Ed: To Save Mandatory Housing Affordability, We Have to Recalibrate It 📰 Support nonprofit journalism Donate # Op-Ed: To Save Mandatory Housing Affordability, We Have to Recalibrate It By Patience Malaba- June 12,… 2. Sound Transit Says Reports of Ballard Link's Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated [https://www.theurbanist.org/sound-transit-says-reports-of-ballard-links-demise-exaggerated/] — The Urbanist Sound Transit Says Reports of Ballard Link's Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated 📰 Support nonprofit journalism Donate # Sound Transit Says Reports of Ballard Link's Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated By Ryan Packer- June 12, 2026 Share Though a May 28 board vote ultimately moved the northern half of the Ballard Link into the "unaffordable" column, Sound Transit's top leadership wants to… 3. [PDF] Updating Seattle's Neighborhood Residential zoning [https://www.seattle.gov/documents/departments/opcd/seattleplan/updatingneighborhoodresidentialzoning.pdf] UPDATED OCTOBER 2024 Updating Seattle’s Neighborhood Residential zoning A proposal to increase housing choice and fulfill requirements of House Bill 1110 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Purpose 3 Updating Seattle’s Neighborhood Residential zoning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .… 4. [PDF] HB 1110 - Seattle.gov [https://www.seattle.gov/documents/departments/opcd/seattleplan/implementinghb1110.pdf] — Seattle.gov What is HB 1110? In 2023, the Washington State Legislature adopted House Bill 1110, often referred to as the “middle housing” bill. HB 1110 requires many cities in the state to allow a broader range of housing types in areas that have allowed predominantly detached homes. In Seattle, these requirements would apply in areas zoned Neighborhood Residential (NR) or Residential Small Lot (RSL).… Daily TopFive for Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-seattle-daily-fix/id1895649659] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6SnLmXKBtus9Fld4TOlCRJ]. Feedback? Email seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com [seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com].

Seattle Fights King County Tax Split as Reform Beats Stack Up — June 12, 2026

Seattle leaders are challenging a King County transportation-tax formula that could divert millions from the city, while staffing, zoning, and transit documents sharpen the broader reform agenda. IN THIS EPISODE 1. Seattle Leaders Push Back on Plan to Shortchange City in New Countywide Tax [https://www.theurbanist.org/seattle-leaders-push-back-on-plan-to-shortchange-city-in-new-countywide-tax/] — The Urbanist # Seattle Leaders Push Back on Plan to Shortchange City in New Countywide Tax Published: 2026-06-11T13:00:23+00:00 Source: theurbanist.org (theurbanist.org) Language: en ## Story Seattle Leaders Push Back on Plan to Shortchange City in New Countywide Tax 📰 Support nonprofit journalism Donate # Seattle Leaders Push Back on Plan to Shortchange City in New Countywide Tax By Ryan Packer- June… 2. Step Back — Seattle keeps saying police staffing is the bottleneck for better public safety — but what do the SPD “sworn staffing” numbers actually count, and how should we tell whether hiring, attrition, overtime, and response times add up to a real recovery or just a nicer-looking spreadsheet? BACKGROUND SOURCES * Public Safety Committee 6/9/2026 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kGezT1vKrQ] — Seattle Channel * 'Not even treading water': Washington state continues to lag in police hiring [https://komonews.com/news/local/washington-state-police-hiring-bellevue-seattle-police-department-association-of-sheriffs-police-chiefs-statewide-population-bpd-spd-per-capita-dc-50-states] — Komonews * Harrell and SPOG Rush Police Contract, Hamstringing Civilian Responders, Accountability Agencies » The Urbanist [https://www.theurbanist.org/harrell-and-spog-rush-police-contract-hamstringing-civilian-responders/] — Theurbanist * Seattle Civilian Responder Team Chafes Under Police Guild Contract Restrictions [https://www.theurbanist.org/seattle-civilian-responder-team-chafes-under-police-guild-contract-restrictions/] — Theurbanist * Seattle police ‘territorialism’ blocks crisis responders, leader says | The Seattle Times [https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-police-territorialism-blocks-crisis-responders-leader-says/] — David Kroman 3. [PDF] House Bill Report HB 1110 [https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2023-24/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House/1110%20HBR%20APP%2023.pdf] HOUSE BILL REPORT HB 1110 As Reported by House Committee On: Housing Appropriations Title: An act relating to creating more homes for Washington by increasing middle housing in areas traditionally dedicated to single-family detached housing. Brief Description: Increasing middle housing in areas traditionally dedicated to single-family detached housing. Sponsors: Representatives Bateman, Barkis,… 4. [PDF] Seattle Police Department (SPD) 2025 Q1 Sworn Staffing ... - AWS [https://westseattleblog-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/staffbriefing.pdf] — West Seattle Blog Seattle Police Department (SPD) 2025 Q1 Sworn Staffing, Overtime and Performance Metrics Report GREG DOSS, ANALYST PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MAY 27, 2025 1. SPD Staffing Slides 3- 7 2 Sworn Staffing SPD Staffing Plan – Actuals through March 2025 and projections through Dec 2025 2025 Jan-Mar Actuals v. Original Staffing Plan • Q1 Hires Planned: 31 Q1 Actual Hires Achieved: 43 • Q1 Separations… 5. [PDF] Sound Transit 3 – Funding, Tax Impact and Phase In - Amazon S3 [https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/piercecommunitiescoalition/documents-general/Sound-Transit-3_Tax-Impact-Phase-in.pdf] Sound Transit 3 – Funding, Tax Impact and Phase In Of Sound Transit 3’s $53.8 billion total budget, about half, or $27.7 billion would be funded by new taxes that voters will consider in November. These are: (1) a sales tax of 0.5 percent ($.50 on a $100 purchase) in addition to the 0.9 percent currently collected; (2) a motor vehicle excise tax (MVET) of 0.8 percent ($80 annually per $10,000 of… Daily TopFive for Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-seattle-daily-fix/id1895649659] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6SnLmXKBtus9Fld4TOlCRJ]. Feedback? Email seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com [seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com].

Wilson Pushes Faster Upzones as SPD Staffing Still Lags — June 11, 2026

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is accelerating the One Seattle Comprehensive Plan toward broader upzones by 2027, promising taller, denser housing near transit as the city’s reform agenda also confronts stubborn SPD staffing shortages and slower response times. IN THIS EPISODE 1. “Taller, denser, faster”: Mayor Wilson announces accelerated approach to comprehensive plan [https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WASEATTLE/bulletins/4114386] — City of Seattle  # “Taller, denser, faster”: Mayor Wilson announces accelerated approach to comprehensive plan | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | --- | --- | | | | | --- | | Office of the Mayor logo - press release version | | | | | | | --- | --- | | Press ReleaseFor Immediate Release… 2. Step Back — When Seattle leaders promise “taller, denser, faster,” what can they actually speed up on their own — permits, zoning maps, fees, appeals — and what still has to survive council votes, state rules, or neighborhood-level pushback? BACKGROUND SOURCES * Mayor Harrell orders comprehensive permitting reforms to accelerate housing and small business growth - Office of the Mayor [https://harrell.seattle.gov/2025/06/23/mayor-harrell-orders-comprehensive-permitting-reforms-to-accelerate-housing-and-small-business-growth/] — Kate Jacobs * Katie Wilson's 'Taller Denser Faster' Plan Starts to Get Fleshed Out [https://www.theurbanist.org/katie-wilsons-taller-denser-faster-plan-starts-fleshed-out/] — Theurbanist * Wilson Pledges 'Taller, Denser, Faster' Housing Growth Plan [https://www.theurbanist.org/wilson-pledges-taller-denser-faster-housing-growth-plan/] — Theurbanist * Lin Moves to Curb Legal Appeals Hindering Seattle Zoning Changes [https://www.theurbanist.org/seattle-council-looks-to-curb-appeals-that-hindered-zoning-changes/] — Theurbanist * “Taller, denser, faster”: Mayor Wilson announces accelerated approach to comprehensive plan [https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WASEATTLE/bulletins/4114386] — Govdelivery * Seattle City Council reviewing plan for more housing density | The Seattle Times [https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-city-council-reviewing-plan-for-more-housing-density/] — David Kroman 3. SPD staffing shortages cause slower response times [https://mynorthwest.com/kiro-radio/spd-faces-staffing-shortages-causing-slower-response-times/3961243] — KIRO Newsradio  [KIRO NEWSRADIO](https://mynorthwest.com/kiro-radio) # Seattle Police Department faces staffing shortages causing slower response times May 28, 2024, 2:49 PM ![Photo: SPD responds to a shooting amid staffing… Daily TopFive for Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-seattle-daily-fix/id1895649659] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6SnLmXKBtus9Fld4TOlCRJ]. Feedback? Email seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com [seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com].

Sound Transit Resets ST3 Amid Seattle Accountability Tests — June 10, 2026

Sound Transit adopted an updated ST3 plan to keep light rail moving despite a $34.5 billion shortfall, while Seattle’s drug ordinance fight underscores how enforcement promises hinge on diversion, funding, and political accountability. IN THIS EPISODE 1. Sound Transit Board adopts updated ST3 system plan | Sound Transit [https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/sound-transit-board-adopts-updated-st3-system-plan] — Sound Transit # Sound Transit Board adopts updated ST3 system plan ### Affordable plan includes Link Light Rail construction from Everett to Tacoma Dome, West Seattle and Ballard Link to Seattle Center, design of full Ballard project A year after launching the [Enterprise Initiative](https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/achieving-long-term-affordability/enterprise-initiative) to address rapidly rising… 2. Step Back — Sound Transit just adopted an updated ST3 plan — but when a voter-approved megaproject runs late or over budget, who actually has the power to change the scope, timeline, or taxes, and what accountability is built in if the promises slip? BACKGROUND SOURCES * Sound Transit Board OKs Major ST3 Update, Casting Ballard into Limbo [https://www.theurbanist.org/sound-transit-board-oks-major-st3-update-casting-ballard-into-limbo/] — Theurbanist * Sound Transit plans to close $34.5B shortfall over 2 decades, reshaping light rail future [https://komonews.com/newsletter-daily/sound-transit-light-rail-massive-budget-shortfall-future-expansion-plans-cuts-seattle-everett-lynnwood-pierce-snohomish-county-federal-way-tacoma-fife-stations-car-tab-fees] — Komonews * Sound Transit Seeks Hail Mary Financial Tool to Complete ST3 Buildout » The Urbanist [https://www.theurbanist.org/sound-transit-seeks-hail-mary-financial-tool-to-complete-st3-buildout/] — Theurbanist * Washington Legislature Delivers Sound Transit a One-Two Punch in 2026 [https://www.theurbanist.org/washington-legislature-delivers-multiple-blows-to-sound-transit-in-2026/] — Theurbanist 3. KUOW - Seattle City Council passes controversial drug ordinance [https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-city-council-passes-drug-ordinance] — KUOW # Seattle City Council passes controversial drug ordinance  ![caption: A drug user displays two blue fentanyl pills she is smoking in downtown Seattle, October 22, 2021. Seattle's ordinance making drug possession and public use a gross misdemeanor took… Daily TopFive for Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-seattle-daily-fix/id1895649659] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6SnLmXKBtus9Fld4TOlCRJ]. Feedback? Email seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com [seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com].

Seattle’s Zoning Rewrite Meets the Transit Math — June 09, 2026

Seattle’s One Seattle zoning rewrite and transit funding fight are converging: the city is loosening Neighborhood Residential rules under HB 1110 while Mayor Katie Wilson pitches a sales-tax boost for 100,000 more annual bus trips, amid Sound Transit’s $34.5 billion ST3 gap. IN THIS EPISODE 1. [PDF] Updating Seattle's Neighborhood Residential zoning [https://www.seattle.gov/documents/departments/opcd/seattleplan/updatingneighborhoodresidentialzoning.pdf] UPDATED OCTOBER 2024 Updating Seattle’s Neighborhood Residential zoning A proposal to increase housing choice and fulfill requirements of House Bill 1110 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Purpose 3 Updating Seattle’s Neighborhood Residential zoning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .… 2. Step Back — When Seattle says it has upzoned “single-family” neighborhoods, what does that actually let someone build on a normal block — and which fine-print rules could decide whether we get real housing abundance or just a few pricier townhomes? BACKGROUND SOURCES * New Middle Housing Codes to Boost Housing Supply - Building Connections [https://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2026/03/02/new-middle-housing-codes-to-boost-housing-supply/] — SDCI Community Engagement * Seattle dropped key NIMBY rules. Why aren’t developers swarming? | The Seattle Times [https://www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/seattle-dropped-key-nimby-rules-why-arent-developers-swarming/] — Heidi Groover * Seattle City Council signs off on new growth plan, zoning changes | The Seattle Times [https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-city-council-signs-off-on-new-growth-plan-zoning-changes/] — David Kroman * Seattle Council Sets the Stage for a Potential Multiplex Boom » The Urbanist [https://www.theurbanist.org/seattle-council-sets-the-stage-for-a-potential-multiplex-boom/] — Theurbanist * Addressing Seattle Housing Shortage: Mayor Wilson Releases Final Centers and Corridors Zoning Proposal  - Office of the Mayor [https://wilson.seattle.gov/2026/01/30/addressing-seattle-housing-shortage-mayor-wilson-releases-final-centers-and-corridors-zoning-proposal/] — Seferiana Day-Hasegawa * Seattle's Comprehensive Plan - Council | seattle.gov [https://www.seattle.gov/council/topics/comprehensive-plan] — seattle.gov * Addressing Seattle Housing Shortage: Mayor Wilson Releases Final Centers and Corridors Zoning Proposal - The Daily Plan It Blog [https://dailyplanit.seattle.gov/addressing-seattle-housing-shortage-mayor-wilson-releases-final-centers-and-corridors-zoning-proposal/] — iand * With a Year of Zoning Changes Ahead, Mayor Wilson Can Still Put an Urbanist Stamp on the "One Seattle Plan" - PubliCola [https://publicola.com/2026/02/02/with-a-year-of-zoning-changes-ahead-mayor-wilson-can-still-put-an-urbanist-stamp-on-the-one-seattle-plan/] — ericacbarnett 3. Bus Network Boost from Wilson's Seattle Transit Measure Comes Into Focus [https://www.theurbanist.org/bus-network-boost-from-wilsons-seattle-transit-measure-comes-into-focus/] — The Urbanist Bus Network Boost from Wilson's Seattle Transit Measure Comes Into Focus 📰 Support nonprofit journalism Donate # Bus Network Boost from Wilson's Seattle Transit Measure Comes Into Focus By Ryan Packer- June 08, 2026 Share With a 0.15% sales tax bump, Seattle would be poised to see 100,000 more bus trips per year, boosting frequencies on major routes like the D Line and the 36. (Ryan… 4. System expansion | Sound Transit [https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion] — Sound Transit # System expansion ### KEY ## Expansion projects ### Filters #### Project #### Status Regionwide updates ## Spring/Summer Progress Report Learn about the innovative Wind and Wave Monitoring System that supports 2 Line operations across the I-90 floating bridge, find everything you need to know to take advantage of transit for the region’s big “summer of soccer,” see what our new five-year… 5. Seattle 2035 Comprehensive Plan (2014) - OPCD | seattle.gov [https://www.seattle.gov/opcd/current-projects/seattle-2035-comprehensive-plan] — City of Seattle # Seattle 2035 Comprehensive Plan (2014) Since 1994, Seattle's Comprehensive Plan has guided growth in Seattle with the goal of fostering a healthy and vibrant city for years to come. < [What & Why](javascript:void(0); "What & Why tab") [Project Documents](javascript:void(0); "Project Documents tab") [Background](javascript:void(0); "Background tab") #### This page contains information on the… Daily TopFive for Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-seattle-daily-fix/id1895649659] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6SnLmXKBtus9Fld4TOlCRJ]. Feedback? Email seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com [seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com].