Amazon has committed $150 million to build and preserve 1,700 units of affordable housing in Seattle and neighboring cities, GeekWire reports.

Launched in 2021 to provide $2.1 billion in support of affordable housing efforts across the country, the Amazon Housing Equity Fund will distribute the latest funding to 10 nonprofits through low-interest loans and grants. To date, Amazon has contributed more than $500 million to address affordable housing in the Seattle area.

According to GeekWire, the region has struggled to shelter thousands of unhoused residents since leaders declared a homelessness emergency in 2015.

The latest commitment will focus on four projects in Seattle and six projects in the greater Seattle area. Projects include the preservation of housing on the Pacific Tower campus in the Beacon Hill neighborhood, which is Amazon’s former headquarters. The effort will be managed by Seattle Chinatown International District PDA. Another project is the preservation of 284 affordable housing units at the Renton Sage Apartments in Renton in partnership with Bellwether Housing. 

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Phil Augustavo)