News Workers on front lines of homeless crisis could get guaranteed wage hikes A Seattle City Council committee voted unanimously to tie service provider wages to inflation, teeing it up for likely approval by the full council. by David Kroman & Josh Cohen / July 11, 2019 / Updated on Friday, July 12 at 3:20 p.m.
Growth New backyard cottage rules allow more density in Seattle's single-family neighborhoods After years of process, the city council loosened regulations to build accessory dwelling units and tightened them on McMansions. by Josh Cohen / July 1, 2019
Growth How Seattle's vacant building problem is helping ex-prisoners and the homeless The city is instituting new rules, increasing fines and encouraging creative uses to prevent developers from leaving buildings empty. by Josh Cohen / June 13, 2019
Growth After a 13-year delay, Seattle votes to build hundreds of affordable homes at Fort Lawton For 13 years, neighbors have opposed the city's plan for the former Army post. The Seattle City Council on Tuesday brought that battle to a close. by Josh Cohen / June 11, 2019
Growth It's going to get harder to evict people in WA. Will that reduce homelessness? New eviction laws cap late fees and give tenants 14 days to pay back rent, among other protections. by Josh Cohen / June 4, 2019
Growth WA cities will get 'free money' from the state for affordable housing A new fund will let cities and counties keep $51M in sales tax revenue for low-income housing construction and maintenance. by Josh Cohen / May 23, 2019
Growth New law pushes WA cities toward denser housing The "menu" of options approved by legislators includes more backyard cottages, duplexes, triplexes everywhere and apartments near transit. by Josh Cohen / May 16, 2019
Growth International bike expert's advice to Seattle: 'Make it difficult for people to drive' Author Peter Walker has researched bike infrastructure around the world — he says Seattle's has some glaring gaps. by Josh Cohen / May 9, 2019
Culture How do Seattleites feel about growth? Depends when they got here, says poll A new Crosscut/Elway Poll finds that newcomers are more likely pro-Amazon, while longtime residents are more inclined to feel left behind. by Josh Cohen / May 3, 2019
Politics Lynnwood uses disaster shelters for the homeless. Could Seattle? Manufactured in Everett, the easy-to-construct structures were made for hurricane relief, but have been serving another purpose closer to home. by Josh Cohen / April 15, 2019