Microsoft Co-Founder Pledges $30M Toward Housing For Seattle's Homeless

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is donating $30 million toward a housing facility for as many as 100 low-income and homeless families in Seattle.



Paul Allen / Photo credit: University of Washington

The donation will cover the design and construction of the facility, and Mayor Ed Murray announced Wednesday the city will contribute an additional $5 million. Mercy Housing Northwest, a local nonprofit, will operate the facility.

"Thank you to Paul Allen, his family, and the foundation for making this incredibly generous investment to address this crisis," Murray said.

Allen's family foundation provides funds to improve communities throughout the Pacific Northwestern region of the United States, according to its website. It has programs dedicated to education, science and arts.