How Microsoft Used $500 Million to Shape the Tech Housing Debate
- Tech giant’s $500 million Seattle plan targets policy changes
- Suburbs are getting on board with efforts to ease development
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Microsoft Corp. made a big splash last month when it announced a $500 million initiative to tackle Seattle’s growing housing crisis. Less noticed was a detail that’ll be critical to making it work: Nine of the city’s largest suburbs agreed to join the effort.
While Microsoft’s money will go toward constructing and preserving homes for lower- and middle-income residents, suburban mayors committed to pro-growth plans such as increasing density around transit stops, reducing parking requirements and speeding up permitting.