Microsoft and Amazon have jointly highlighted the urgent housing crisis in Washington state through a full-page advertisement and an op-ed in The Seattle Times. The leaders of both companies, Brad Smith from Microsoft and David Zapolsky from Amazon, assert that the region is facing a housing emergency that jeopardizes its quality of life and economic viability.
They have collectively pledged $1.6 billion to develop and preserve over 26,000 affordable homes, but emphasize that more action is necessary due to a critical supply shortage. Among their legislative priorities is SB 6026, which would permit residential construction on commercial properties, such as strip malls.
The executives also support Governor Bob Ferguson’s proposal for $225 million in bonds for the state Housing Trust Fund, advocating for policies that facilitate housing development rather than hinder it. They caution that as other states become more appealing to developers, Washington must act quickly to maintain competitive advantages.