Kshama Sawant finds legal way to shift precinct funds to housing

SEATTLE – City Councilmember Kshama Sawant may have found a way to divert precinct money into housing projects - even though state law bans those kind of transfers.

Mayor Ed Murray planned to use real estate excise taxes (REET)to cover most of the $149 million cost for the police facility. However, state law limits REET revenues to things like transportation and public safety projects. Affordable housing isn't an option.

“But my office has determined that that money can be used to build affordable housing,” Sawant announced at a rally on Thursday night, which was to congratulate the “Block the Bunker” movement for defeating the police building plan.

Sawant wants the city to use REET to pay for items already in the budget such as roads. Then, she wants to shift the money meant for those projects to affordable housing.

“I really love the idea of working on finding positive answers and solutions and alternatives because it doesn't just go anti-bunker. These ideas, they actually go pro-active,” said Patricia Allen, an indigenous community activist.

Sawant also wants to take $15 million from the sale of Pacific Place garage, as well as unload the $14 million parcel where the new north precinct was supposed to be built.

Meanwhile, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray still believes there's a compelling need for a new police facility in north Seattle and remains committed to replacing the current building.