eassay about examination of the Yesler Terrace Development Plan

Relocation Process

To make way for new housing and parks at Yesler, the existing housing must be
removed and residents will need to relocate to other SHA housing of their choice during
construction. SHA is committed to minimizing disruptions to residents throughout this
process, and has developed an extensive and detailed plan addressing all facets of the
relocation process. At the beginning of 2013, Yesler was home to more than 1,200
residents living in more than 500 apartments, all of whom will need to move to other
housing at some point during construction.

As part of its relocation efforts, Seattle Housing Authority will:

• Maintain at least 281 units of public housing on site and available for use at all
times throughout the course of redevelopment.

• Pay for costs incurred in the course of relocation.

• Provide extensive individual counseling to help residents select their new homes,
pack and unpack belongings, set up appliances, cover utility billing transfers, and
all other tasks related to a move.

• Keep housing costs affordable, in appropriate new housing.

• Minimize the number of times a household has to move. Residents have the
option to make their first move from the property permanent, and to move only
once before returning if they choose.

• Set fair and equitable priorities to govern the order in which households are given
choices about their moves. Working with Yesler residents, SHA developed a
policy that gives priority to families with school-aged children, then to households

with elderly or disabled residents. The neighborhood in which a family resides
determines the school to which children are assigned, and SHA will help families
identify schools best suited to their needs and find housing in the appropriate
area. It is also critically important to enable the elderly and disabled to live close
to services they may need to access.

Relocation of residents will happen in phases coordinated closely with construction. All
residents will receive an 18 month notice of when they will need to relocate, and all
residents living at Yesler Terrace when redevelopment began have the right to return to
Yesler Terrace once new housing is available.

Relocation Process