Mayor Jenny Durkan's legislation, Community Preference, would allow housing developers the option to give priority access to a portion of the building for long-time Seattleites. It was heard in committee Thursday.

SEATTLE — Editor's note: the above video was first created in April 2019 and features Fort Lawton, a site that may become affordable housing.

Mayor Jenny Durkan had a new idea to address displacement due to housing issues in some of Seattle's neighborhoods. Her legislation, called Community Preference, would allow housing developers to give priority access to people who work in, or used to live in the neighborhood before becoming displaced by housing costs.

Developers would not be required to follow the Community Preference policy. Those who choose to would need to select tenants through a lottery system to ensure developers comply with federal fair housing law. It was heard in committee Thursday.

“We must use every tool available to protect our marginalized communities from the negative impacts of gentrification and displacement," Mayor Durkan said. "By working with community, we can develop innovative ways to keep families rooted in the neighborhoods that they have called home for decades.”

The policy would only be used in areas that have a high risk for displacement.

The mayor's announcement said the Office of Housing and the Office of Civil Rights are working with community members and housing providers to establish criteria needed to apply the policy on a project-by-project basis.