Harris, KeithTamaroff, Deena2025-10-022025-10-022025-10-022025Tamaroff_washington_0250O_28700.pdfhttps://hdl.handle.net/1773/53926Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2025This paper addresses the tension between preservation and densification, two strategies for increasing housing affordability, using a 2017 rezone in Seattle's University Distrct neighborhood as a case study. Specifically, this paper aims to understand how "naturally occurring," or sunsubsidized, affordable housing (known as "NOAH") has fared in the neighborhood since the implementation of the zoning change, which allows widespread increases in development capacity across the neighborhood. Leading up to the rezone, community groups expressed concerns about displacement risk and about changes to the neighborhood's unique character. To date, there is no clear understanding of the impact of the rezone on existing affordable units. This paper first analyzes the changes in both development capacity and development activity, measured through historical zoning data and permits issued in response to applications submitted after the zoning change went into effect, and then establishes and applies a set of criteria to identify probable NOAH properties and evaluate the extent to which they are at risk for redevelopment. Findings reveal many probable NOAH properties within a study area in the core of the neighborhood, ranging in redevelopment risk level from minimal to moderate.application/pdfen-USnoneUrban planningBuilt environmentThesis