Doesn’t affordable housing create blight?

The term “blight” has evolved from its genesis in the early 1900s to describe the spread of slums and disease. Blight also has a long-term racial legacy as the legal touchstone for many eminent domain actions that broke apart predominately BIPOC communities throughout hundreds of American cities. In short, blight today is defined as a physical space or structure that is no longer in acceptable or beneficial condition to its community. The City’s thoughtful approach to creating long-term, sustainable affordable housing solutions are working to combat future blight by ensuring the design of livable communities for all Snohomish families.

In addition, the MFTE will have a positive impact on the City’s finances because it will cause certain revenue sources to increase, including:

  • Sales tax from the construction
  • Permit and other development-related fees including utility connections
  • Sales tax generated by new residents
  • Increased utility tax revenues
  • New utility customers
  • Real Estate Excise Tax (REET)

Show All Answers

1. What is a MFTE?
2. Does a MFTE designation create housing projects?
3. Does a MFTE increase taxes?
4. Why is the City rushing to create an MFTE in Midtown?
5. I bought my house in Snohomish 15 years ago and prices seemed affordable then. Why is the City talking about affordable housing?
6. Doesn’t affordable housing create blight?
7. How many 5-story mid-rise multi-family apartment or condo units that can be built per acre in Snohomish under an MFTE?
8. Why does Snohomish need a multi-family tax exemption for developers?
9. The Bottom Line about a future Midtown MFTE