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Guiding Principles

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The vision for Yesler Terrace began taking shape in 2006, when Seattle Housing created a Citizen Review Committee (CRC) comprised of residents, members of the surrounding community and other key stakeholders.

The CRC developed a set of Guiding Principles, which were adopted by the Seattle Housing Board of Commissioners. These Guiding Principles lay the foundation for all planning efforts.

The Yesler Terrace Guiding Principles are based on the core values of Social Equity, Economic Opportunity, Environmental Stewardship and One-for-One Replacement Housing.

Complete Guiding Principles in PDF format

Social Equity

Human development that meets essential needs and improves the quality of life for current and future generations living within the Yesler Terrace community regardless of racial, cultural, economic or other status, through access to employment, education, medical care, social services, nutritious food and quality affordable housing, especially to those with very low incomes, and gives priority to those most in need.

  • Promote a culturally and economically diverse community while continuing to prioritize the provision of housing and services for those most in need.

  • Include stakeholder involvement in major decisions throughout the redevelopment process. Provide resources to improve economic, cultural and social opportunities for residents of Yesler Terrace and adjacent business and residential communities.

  • Foster positive interactions throughout Yesler Terrace and the community at large regardless of social, economic or cultural distinctions by employing creative urban design and architectural techniques while avoiding segregation by income, race or other differences, and providing access to public amenities.

  • Promote social equality by encouraging inclusion of complementary social, educational and health services.

  • Meet the housing needs of current and future generations living within Yesler Terrace drawing from as many existing and new funding sources as possible in order to accomplish this goal.

  • Preserve and expand very-low-income housing opportunities for current public-housing-eligible residents and, if possible, expand those opportunities in order to serve those who are most in need. In addition, consider redevelopment options that would guarantee no net loss of very-low-income housing serving public-housing-eligible residents on the current site of Yesler Terrace or in the immediate neighborhood.

  • Minimize impacts of displacement for residents during the redevelopment process.

  • Create a neighborhood that provides recreational and educational opportunities and services for children and families.

  • Utilize the city housing inventories and other resources to avoid displacement from the neighborhood.

  • Establish a community governance structure that promotes involvement in decision making by all residents living within the redeveloped community.

Economic Opportunity

Improve the overall economic conditions, opportunities and quality of life for current and future generations living with the Yesler Terrace community by fostering access to jobs, transportation, community services and safe low-income affordable housing and financial tools.

  • Support creation of living wage jobs for residents by creating and sustaining innovative partnerships with industry and surrounding neighborhood organizations and businesses to provide apprenticeship, entrepreneurial and business development opportunities.

  • Assist residents in transitioning out of subsidized housing through financial literacy, asset building and other educational programs.

  • Strengthen partnerships with social service agencies and institutions to address resident barriers to employment such as transportation, education, training, language and child care.

  • Engage in partnerships to help homeless families obtain stable housing and increase household income.

  • Promote the creation of a micro-loan program or other access to capital to support residents in developing entrepreneurial businesses.

  • Preserve and foster home businesses for all residents within Yesler Terrace.

  • Support training, apprenticeship and living wage job opportunities for residents and those in adjacent communities wherever possible in all phases of Yesler Terrace redevelopment from planning through construction.

  • Preserve and promote small businesses adjacent to Yesler Terrace.

Environmental Stewardship
and Sustainability

Integrate sustainable design and implement equitable environmental and economic practices to achieve a positive and healthy community for current and future generations living within the Yesler Terrace community while preserving housing affordability.

  • Incorporate smart growth principles in the redevelopment process but not at the expense of retaining and expanding housing opportunities for those most in need. "Smart growth" is defined by the American Planning Association as "A collection of planning, regulatory, and development practices that use land resources more efficiently through compact building forms, in-fill development, and moderation in street and parking standards."

  • Foster a safe and healthy community by incorporating a variety of housing styles, sizes and configurations, and associated open spaces and gathering places to retain a family-friendly community.

  • Incorporate urban design and architectural techniques that promote pedestrian interaction and positive relations with surrounding communities while maintaining a high level of public safety.

  • Use environmentally friendly and sustainable building techniques to produce healthy and quality housing, facilities and amenities.

  • Foster education and awareness programs that promote earth-friendly practices such as waste reduction, recycling, composting and the use of drought-resistant landscaping.

  • Ensure that low-income families, the elderly and those with disabilities are served and provide housing types, sizes and amenities that fully meet their needs while meeting the goals and intent of this guiding principle.

One-For-One Replacement Housing

Replace or exceed the current number of very-low-income and low-income housing units at Yesler Terrace that serve public-housing-eligible residents and provide choice, options, site integration and affordability in a dense and culturally and economically diverse community.

In addition, consider redevelopment options that would guarantee no net loss of very-low-income housing serving public-housing-eligible residents on the current site of Yesler Terrace.

  • Design housing mix based on geographic growth projections and the needs of current and future residents to accommodate families, single occupants, the elderly and those with disabilities.

  • Provide the best possible affordable housing that offers choice, options, affordability and access to public amenities with attention to social justice and economic realities while promoting the integration of economic, social, cultural and racial groups throughout Yesler Terrace and the community at large.

  • Consider expanding site boundaries in the immediate neighborhood and increase density to achieve project goals, recognizing that the expansion of the Yesler Terrace boundaries and permitted uses would allow a greater array of development options.

  • Phase development to minimize resident disruption and construction impacts, and guarantee a home at Yesler Terrace for those residents who want to return and are still eligible under the current rules.

  • Include residents in the housing design and development decisions by providing easy access to information and transparent public process.

  • Provide nearby affordable housing relocation options and assistance when necessary.

  • Provide replacement housing at costs consistent with public housing rent formulas and continue to serve very-low-income residents. In addition, consider redevelopment options that guarantee no net loss of very-low-income housing serving public-housing-eligible residents on the current site of Yesler Terrace.

  • Ensure reasonable physical accessibility within Yesler Terrace for all residents and visitors.

  • If the footprint of Yesler Terrace is expanded to include low-income housing, any lost units at those sites will be replaced in the neighborhood one-for-one at comparable rent.

  • Pursue those alternatives for Yesler Terrace which will result in the greatest balance between the development of low-income public housing and the maintenance of the land in public domain.

  • Encourage innovative home ownership opportunities for low-income people on site, including tenant ownership programs such as land trusts and cooperatives.

Translations

The guiding principles for Yesler Terrace redevelopment are available in ten languages, at 11" x 17" size in PDF format (download Adobe Reader):

A report entitled "Definitions & Guiding Principles: Working Toward a Community Vision" (PDF, 12.5 MB) is also available (download Adobe Reader). The report also includes introductory material and a minority report submitted by Seattle Displacement Coalition Coordinator John V. Fox and Yesler resident Kristin O'Donnell.