Government The new Jumpstart payroll tax raised more than expected. Is the money going where it's most needed? A new payroll tax for big companies in Seattle brought in more than $230 million last year. But because the city is still recovering from the effects of Covid-19, a chunk of that money is going toward pandemic relief efforts. Angela King Katie Campbell
Arts & Life To AirBnb or Not to Bnb AirBnB has, to put it simply, a complex relationship with many US cities. That includes Seattle, where AirBnB stock is pretty tightly regulated. KUOW’s Joshua McNichols wanted to know: Just what impact do AirBnBs have on the city? Jeannie Yandel Brandi Fullwood
The pros and cons of Airbnbs in Seattle In Seattle, where Airbnbs are highly regulated, it's a form of shopping local. On the other hand, Airbnbs drive up the cost of housing a bit. Joshua McNichols
People who have experienced homelessness help others get off the street A new program in King County is tapping people who have experienced homelessness in the past to help currently homeless people get off the street. The King County Regional Homelessness Authority hopes the program will get nearly every person living outside downtown into long term, stable housing. Casey Martin
Seattle's housing market is going into 'hibernation.' But it's not all good news After being hot for several months, the local and national housing markets appear to be cooling down. Angela King Katie Campbell
A shift in the (still expensive) housing market Housing prices have been going up for a decade. It seems the goal of buying a house is increasingly out of reach for many people in Seattle. But the economy is shifting, and so is the housing market. Matthew Gardner is the chief economist for Windermere and is here to walk us through it. Patricia Murphy Jennie Cecil Moore
Law & Courts Sign here to avoid eviction but beware: You might be signing away your rights Landlords say it’s a useful tool. Renters call it a predatory trick. This legal document seems like an easy way to avoid eviction, but it can backfire for tenants. Many don’t know what they’re signing away. Anna Boiko-Weyrauch
City of Seattle begins clearing Woodland Park homeless encampment Parks and Recreation workers arrived Tuesday morning to begin removing a homeless tent and RV camp in Phinney Ridge’s Woodland Park. The mayor’s office says in recent months outreach workers have referred more than fifty people at the park to temporary shelter but others have packed up their belongings and moved elsewhere. Casey Martin Megan Farmer
Business Seattle rents are through the roof Housing in Seattle is getting even more expensive, even faster. Rent prices are skyrocketing Patricia Murphy Clare McGrane
Politics Biden says he will grant millions to jobs, housing for formerly incarcerated people Reentry plans should begin as soon as a person is incarcerated and no later than 18 months before a person's sentence is complete, Biden's office said. Ayana Archie
