Affordable Housing Nexus Study for Mandatory Housing Affordability Requirements

The City of Seattle, through its Office of Planning and Community Development, is soliciting proposals for an Affordable Housing Nexus Study supporting updates to its Mandatory Housing Affordability program. Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. on November 10, 2026, and questions are due by 5:00 p.m. on November 5, 2026, both through the City's e-procurement portal. The minimum qualification requires that the consultant have completed an affordable housing nexus study for another municipality within the past 10 years. The RFP identifies no set-aside, though the portal allows voluntary self-identification.

The scope comprises four tasks: project kickoff and coordination with City staff; a market overview and affordability analysis covering rental and for-sale housing; residential demand analysis across 6 to 8 development prototypes, with calculations for up to four market strength areas and multiple AMI ranges; and a summary report documenting findings.

Consultants must register in the City's Procurement Portal, maintain current Washington State and Seattle business licenses, and provide proof of insurance including Commercial General Liability of $1 million minimum. The consultant works as an independent contractor from its own office and bears all licensing, tax, and insurance costs.

Proposals are scored on experience with affordable housing nexus studies (40 points), project approach (30 points), project team qualifications (10 points), and cost (10 points). The City may conduct interviews and will award to the highest-ranked responsive proposer. It may also award to multiple consultants or issue partial awards, and it reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and negotiate contract terms.

The City anticipates contract execution before December 15, 2026, with initial results expected in March 2027.