The vouchers are just like the ones Seattle has been giving to poor seniors, disabled people, and families since the 1980s. They represent federal money, paid directly to landlords, to cover 70 percent of rent. The vouchers require recipients to find housing that meets price limits, and chip in 30 percent of their income. SHA spokesperson Virginia Felton says the vouchers are a welcome addition to Seattle's public housing stock, because they lead people to homes. SHA gets 700 of the vouchers, which adds to the 4,600 the city already has.
Vouchers make up almost half of Seattle's public housing.
The vouchers are given to people who make less than 50 percent of the median income. Voucher programs don't safeguard against rent increases. Ibrahim Abdi, Seattle Emergency Housing refugee advocate, outlines another problem with vouchers. The first problem he cites is the time limits. SHA enforces a 120-day time limit on finding an apartment with a voucher.