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College

College of Arts and Sciences

Major

Public Affairs

Faculty Mentor

Kevin Ward

Faculty Editor

Zachary Wood

Student Editor

Caroline Klewin and Penny Pak

Abstract

This policy analysis examines the gentrification and displacement impacts resulting from the development of Seattle’s Link Light Rail in the Rainier Valley, one of the city’s most diverse and historically marginalized neighborhoods. The expansion of light rail aimed to improve transit access, reduce traffic congestion, and promote environmental sustainability. However, coinciding market driven development, rising property values, and demographic shifts appear to disproportionately affect low-income and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) residents, making them more vulnerable to displacement (Padeiro et al., 2019). This report will evaluate three policy interventions to mitigate displacement: the Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) program, the Rainier Valley Affordable Homeownership Initiative (RVAHI), and the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) using the established evaluative criteria of equity, effectiveness, resource efficiency, ease of implementation, and political acceptability (Argerious, 2021; Caputo, 2014; Coassin, 2023; Cohen & Pettit, 2019; Mintz-Roth, 2008; Omelchuk, 2018). These criteria were selected based on careful review of existing policy evaluation frameworks proven successful in evaluating urban planning public policy. Research supports these dimensions’ ability to test overall durability and success of public policy (Caputo, 2014). Contextual and environmental factors supported how these criteria were weighed during the evaluation process, with consideration to researched best practices in evaluating urban planning policy (Morestin, 2012).

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