Seattle police investigating worker abuse at city affordable housing projects

The Seattle Police Department has launched a criminal investigation into accusations city contractors illegally underpaid and mistreated workers at affordable housing construction projects that have received city funding.

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn says the city’s contract analyst uncovered allegations of inadequate payment of wages in August and September on two affordable housing projects being built at the time. Since then, the city found additional allegations about wage and worker conditions on two additional housing projects.

“Workers deserve fair and humane treatment on the job and a chance to build a better life for themselves and their families,” said Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn. “These are very serious allegations, and the Seattle Police Department will aggressively pursue this investigation.”

While the city provides funding for the projects, they are developed, owned and operated by nonprofit housing providers, McGinn says.

The evidence has been forwarded to the Seattle Police Department for investigation. Officials say they can’t provide any other information for now because it remains an active probe.

McGinn says his office has been working with a number of agencies including the Office of Housing, Department of Finance and Administrative Services, Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, and Seattle Office for Civil Rights to evaluate systems in place for monitoring and compliance. A broader group including affordable housing developers, trade unions and others will then join the discussion to improve oversight and compliance, and help detect and prevent further worker exploitation.