Advertisement
Housing

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen funds facility for homeless Seattle families

Billionaire Paul Allen responds to the state of emergency in Seattle with a $30m gift.

Two years ago the mayor of Seattle declared a state of emergency over the city’s homelessness problem.

Now one of its most famous – and wealthy – sons, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is to donate $30m to a housing facility for 100 low-income and homeless families.

Allen – the world’s 40th richest person – will help to cover design and construction of the complex, with the city contributing another $5m.

Non-profit organisation Mercy Housing Northwest will run the homes and operating costs will be covered by donations.

Residents of this type of permanent housing generally pay no more than 30 per cent of their income for rent.

Mayor Ed Murray declared a state of emergency over homelessness in 2015 and the city is seeking to set aside 0.1 per cent of county sales tax to fund homelessness initiatives.

Advertisement
Advertisement

The facility will include a service centre open to residents and the wider community.

“This comprehensive approach is exactly what we need to fund,” Murray said. “It is the kind of thing that makes a difference.”

Advertisement

Change a vendor's life this Christmas

This Christmas, 3.8 million people across the UK will be facing extreme poverty. Thousands of those struggling will turn to selling the Big Issue as a vital source of income - they need your support to earn and lift themselves out of poverty.

Recommended for you

Read All
'We must remove the shackles of stigma': Five ways Labour wants to shake-up Right to Buy
Labour deputy prime minister abd housing secretary Angela Rayner
Right to Buy

'We must remove the shackles of stigma': Five ways Labour wants to shake-up Right to Buy

Rents in UK are rising at highest rate in decades. Will they keep going up?
rents uk
Renting

Rents in UK are rising at highest rate in decades. Will they keep going up?

Mum-of-three hit with 'revenge eviction' after asking for repairs: 'It felt like the end of the world'
Hazell and her three kids faced homelessness until Shelter stepped in
Renting

Mum-of-three hit with 'revenge eviction' after asking for repairs: 'It felt like the end of the world'

Housing minister admits Labour's 1.5 million homes promise will be 'more difficult than expected'
Labour housing minister Matthew Pennycook
Housebuilding

Housing minister admits Labour's 1.5 million homes promise will be 'more difficult than expected'

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue