Seattle Impact Investors Address High Housing Costs

The loss of affordable housing in Seattle in the wake of the tech boom there has become a top community priority for impact investors in the city. The non-profit Forterra is leading several high-profile projects, securing properties in fast developing neighborhoods where rents are out of reach for many residents. 

Seattle Foundation is among the funders backing Forterra’s work, contributing to a 10-year fund with a 2 percent annual return. The impact investment model builds on a grantmaking legacy. The impact so far includes three affordable housing projects for recent immigrants and long-term security for small neighborhood businesses that were threatened with extinction from gentrification.