Amazon has announced that it has created or preserved more than 10,000 affordable homes across the Puget Sound region since its housing commitments began in 2021. The company reports investing over $900 million in housing initiatives, which are expected to benefit approximately 22,000 residents. Amazon says these properties will remain affordable for 99 years.
Alice Shobe, director of community impact at Amazon, commented on the milestone: “When I think about these affordable homes, I see families finding stability and new opportunities. I’m grateful to celebrate this milestone with our amazing housing partners, passionate community advocates, and the local officials who’ve championed these efforts. These are solutions that will make a difference for generations to come.”
The projects include a $100 million commitment to transit-oriented housing in Bellevue and a partnership with BRIDGE Housing to preserve 200 apartments in Kirkland. Other developments mentioned are the Four Amigos Beloved Community in Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood and Connection Angle Lake with Mercy Housing Northwest.
Amazon has also been involved in literacy and food security initiatives. At an event hosted by Prime Video, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Smithsonian Institution at Boys & Girls Clubs of King County’s Ballard location, more than 125 children selected books from a collection of over 1,300 titles with help from Amazon volunteers.
In addition, Amazon partnered with Bumbershoot for its second annual Bumbershoot Gives Back campaign at Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands. Volunteers harvested crops for food security efforts across Puget Sound; each received a free ticket to Bumbershoot as thanks. Last year’s program collected 127,000 pounds of food for local banks; this year’s goal is to mobilize over 2,000 volunteers to help deliver 15,000 meals.
During its fourth annual Global Month of Volunteering (GMV), more than 7,600 Amazon employees participated in over 580 events throughout Puget Sound. They worked with more than 220 organizations on activities such as park cleanups and preparing food supplies.
Beryl Tomay, VP of Amazon Transportation said: “We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of the ‘Keep Bellevue Beautiful’ initiative. Our volunteers’ efforts reflect Amazon’s commitment to the communities where we live and work.”
Amazon Web Services (AWS) collaborated with Play Like a Girl and the Seattle Seahawks on Tech Touchdown at Virginia Mason Athletic Center. One hundred middle and high school girls attended workshops connecting sports with technology through AWS-powered stations.
Julia White, AWS chief marketing officer stated: “It was an awesome and inspiring day at the Seahawks Training Facility. Helping these talented young women see themselves in both sports and STEM was incredibly rewarding.”
David Zapolsky, Chief Global Affairs & Legal Officer at Amazon joined Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell at a groundbreaking ceremony for Acer House—a new mixed-use development providing affordable homes and retail spaces—supported by a $12.6 million loan from Amazon’s housing fund.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell also announced a combined $1 million investment by the City of Seattle, The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), and Amazon into improvements for Chinatown-International District neighborhoods through programs like CID Ambassadors Program starting June 2025.
Josh Hirschland from Amazon Community Impact was named among Puget Sound Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” honorees for his work addressing food insecurity using pro bono delivery services that have distributed over two million meals locally since early pandemic days.
Zoë Bill from Mary’s Place said about youth basketball clinics supported by Amazon: “The kids had a wonderful time and were so grateful for the experience… Opportunities like this have a lasting impact.”
Recently announced grants totaling $2 million will allow White Center Food Bank to move into new facilities while Rainier Valley Food Bank expands its operations into a larger community hub.
Amazon continues supporting affordable housing production in Bellevue through an additional $100 million commitment focused on city-supported projects near transit sites.
Data from Downtown Seattle Association shows increased foot traffic downtown as employees return onsite; weekday worker presence reached up to 74% of pre-pandemic levels in some areas compared to previous years (https://www.downtownseattle.org/blog/foot-traffic-in-downtown-seattle-on-the-rise-as-office-workers-return/).
The company also offers commuter benefits such as reimbursable public transportation costs (https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/workplace/commuting-benefits-amazon-employees) alongside other measures aimed at reducing congestion around its headquarters cities.
