Michael Eliason, Director of Design & Policy at the Seattle Social Housing Developer (SSHD), departed that role last month in a personnel move that signals a strategic pivot for a public development authority still finding its footing. Eliason's former position will no longer exist, with the SSHD instead planning to hire a Director of Policy with a different portfolio of work.
Seattle voters created the social housing developer in 2023 by initiative, providing a mandate for the production of mixed-income, permanently affordable housing, operating independently of Seattle City Council or mayoral control. Two years later, voters approved a dedicated funding source for social housing via a high-earners payroll tax, with early revenue dramatically exceeding expectations in a way that has given the SSHD significant forward momentum.
Eliason had been brought on in January, after being closely involved in advocacy around Seattle's two social housing initiatives. Prior to becoming staff, he had served as one of the developer's first board members, an appointment made via members of Seattle's Green New Deal Oversight Board. Eliason's influence was credited with mandates for Passivhaus design being incorporated into the developer's mission from the jump.
Passivhaus standards create buildings that are highly energy efficient, using thermal insulation, airtightness, and filtered ventilation. While more expensive at the outset, the design creates cost savings as energy costs are reduced, with a benefit of providing more comfortable interior spaces that are more climate-friendly at the same time.
As a strong evangelist for Passivhaus standards and improved urban design, Eliason has pushed for green building requirements for social housing as a contributor for The Urbanist as well as in a book titled Building for People.
Eliason exited the developer just as it has appeared to hit its stride, announcing its first new construction project in the Central District and its second building acquisition in Delridge in the span of just a few weeks. After the SSHD board replaced its initial pick for CEO, Roberto Jimenez, with Interim CEO Tiffani McCoy – who had led the push for social housing in Seattle as co-founder of the advocacy group House Our Neighbors – things appeared to fall into place.
More social housing projects are expected to be announced soon, with a goal of owning 1,000 units by the end of 2027 and putting more in the construction pipeline.
In a post on LinkedIn made shortly after his departure, Eliason characterized the decision as a pivot away from an emphasis on design in future social housing buildings in Seattle.
"I recently learned that design would no longer be a priority for the Seattle Social Housing Developer, as they eliminated the Director of Design & Policy position," Eliason wrote. "It was an exciting run, and I am proud of the work I accomplished with the nearly three-year effort on the board, and then transitioning to staff. This work included massive efforts around standing up the real estate committee and working on the strategic plan - to finding viable and high quality parcels (not on arterials!), steering procurement efforts with architecture firms, working on legislative and local land use policies to deliver more/better/cost effective housing, and adding new construction values - all of which would go on to inform the design standards for new housing."
But sources familiar with how operations at the developer have disputed his characterization, instead pointing to a shift that has occurred as the SSHD has been navigating rules around public procurement for construction projects. Earlier this year, the SSHD rolled out a roster of design firms that will be considered for future developments, including CAST Architecture, Neiman Taber, Mithun, Schemata Workshop, and Perkins Eastman.
With those firms handling the bulk of design work, the SSHD does have less of a need for in-house design expertise, but did recently bring on Jacqui Aiello, former architectural designer at SMR Architecture, a firm focused on affordable housing. Aiello's hire cuts against the assertion that the developer is de-prioritizing design work.
"The Seattle Social Housing Developer made a sincere effort to keep Michael Eliason on staff by providing him with several options," SSHD Director of Communications Lilly Ana Fowler told The Urbanist. "We wish him the best with future endeavors and sincerely thank him for all his contributions to social housing. SSHD takes design seriously and is working with a number of architecture firms on both small and large social housing projects that prioritize family-sized housing, Passive House standards, open spaces and Universal Design."
Eliason did not respond to a request for comment from The Urbanist for this story.
The new Director of Policy position will be tasked with advocating for legislative changes to make it easier to build social housing in Seattle, and with representing the developer in front of governmental authorities, including the Seattle City Council. Rather than leading the design team, the role will be focused on translating "technical legal and regulatory ideas into clear, compelling information for audiences ranging from elected officials and agency staff to community members, the Board, and the media," according to a job posting from this month.
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