The changing demography of homes under the flight path
Homes mitigated by sound insulation systems represent a large portion of the scarce and highly desirable middle-housing market in the three cities within the DNL65 (Burien, Des Moines, Seatac).
This street of thirteen homes is typical of almost every street where people signed Avigation Easements and received sound insulation systems during the Third Runway era.
The Streets that were primarily White, are now shifting BIPOC. As expected, White homeowners skew towards Seniors and tend to be the original Port Package homeowners. They are thus are more likely to experience Port Package problems.
But when they sell, they are most often replaced by BIPOC homeowners. However, these follow-on owners are far less aware of these issues and their rights. The Port Package Homeowner Handbook or even the Avigation Easement are usually not conveyed during the sale.
Taken off the table…
This street is also typical in that one home (the one with the blue ‘x’) has undergone major reconstruction. In this case due to a significant fire. The repairs passed all building code. However, if tested today, it would not meet the same noise reduction standard of a Port Package. As so often happens, and for reasons usually having to do with cost, the owner and contractor opted for a less effective solution.
Moreover, because the equipment (doors and windows) were updated outside the Port Package program, it is doubtful this home would ever be eligible for reimbursement by any proposed FAA sound insulation repair/replacement program.