Embedded Files
History of Housing in Capitol Hill
It is theorized that Capitol Hill got its name from land-owner and housing developer James Moore. Moore chose this name for political reasons as he and his wife believed owning a community called Capitol Hill would make the family powerful in the housing sector.
James Moore is famous for developing a strand called "Millionaire's Row". This is where Moore and other wealthy residents built their homes. This kind of development does not bode well for affordable housing on the Hill.
Capitol Hill suffered from racially-motivated restrictions to housing in the 1920s. White homeowners were concerned with people of color moving into areas like Madison Avenue. Development companies were encouraged to sign deeds designed to filter potential buyers. Discriminatory groups like the Capitol Hill community club went to great lengths to prevent black residents by re-creating deeds. Limiting the freedom of development companies was no easy task.
Today, the community reflects more inclusivity. Many residents of the area identify with the LGBTQ+ community and associated flags can be seen hanging from homes and businesses in the area. It is still worth noting that the white demographic in Capitol Hill is still 79.83% white. That is over 10% higher than the average white presence in Seattle. The gentrification and "Millionaires row" sentiment is something that still exists today.
Layout of Capitol Hill (1920s)
Deeds were being re-written to preserve white neighborhoods.
House on Millionaire's Row (Built 1908)
Affordable Housing Observations
Housing with Transportation
We saw housing a soon as we exited the light rail. These are small apartments owned by frequent commuters. Like other areas in Seattle, housing in Capitol Hill has easy access to public transportation. This building is one of the more affordable options compared to the surrounding luxury housing.
Saturation of Luxury Housing
A majority of the buildings we observed in Capitol Hill can be considered luxury housing. Buildings like the Schemata Workshop claim to serve the median income of the area, however, this is still a steep price for new residents looking to join the community. Capitol Hill station is still being heavily developed to this day. The "luxury effect" is in place as many of these buildings overlook Cal Anderson Park.
https://www.schemataworkshop.com/capitol-hill-tod-bnorth
Homelessness
While we did not observe any homeless people directly, there were obvious signs that housing is a problem for many who live in the Capitol Hill area. King County officials have been criticized in the past for their lack of effort in the homeless census. The budget for affordable housing and homelessness efforts will be cut by 7 million in 2022. I predict that homelessness is more visible during the night and not during the hours of our visit. This is an aspect that matched with the gentrification data and 60% housing/income median. Sadly, the homeless fall into the other 40%.
https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/tag/homelessness/
Homeless Shelters
There are a variety of homeless shelters in the Capitol Hill area. One of the more notable ones is Jubilee Women's Center. The Center is dedicated to rehabilitating and supporting women who are experiencing poverty. This center is located in a safer and more residential area that we were not able to observe during our group trip. I was able to observe this area over Thanksgiving break and found it to be very safe and comfortable. Jubilee is a transitional home that provides rehabilitation and not a permanent residence.
Capitol Hill Affordable Housing
Affordable housing is an asset to any growing community. Access to housing is important in preserving the local lifestyle of an area and providing opportunities to all groups. Capitol Hill appears to be one of the most socially welcoming places in Seattle. This is not the case economically. Luxury housing and gentrification pose a major barrier to population health.
During the day, the homeless seem to have been wiped off the face of the earth. Capitol Hill maintains a very steady image with community book boxes and colorful crosswalks. These amenities come at a price that not everyone can pay. Even smaller and older houses are considered historical residences that few can afford.
Another issue that plagues the area is the renting of housing to non-residents and the implementation of airbnbs. Many houses in the major residential areas are rented to tourists for passive income and are not available for the people of Capitol Hill to live in. A foreign grip on housing is one of the telltale signs of gentrification.
There are shelters available to the community, however, most are only a temporary fix. Rehabilitative homes are more likely to turn individuals back on the street if affordable housing is not widely available. The decline in county efforts to combat housing issues is another bad omen for housing on the Hill.
Asset or Barrier?
Housing in Capitol Hill is a barrier to diversity and overall public health. The historical context of the Capitol Hill Community Club only emphasizes the issue. There is a great deal of income disparity in Seattle and Capitol Hill is becoming a manifestation of that problem.
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