MEET THESE CHANGEMAKERS: Nelson Del Rio and Aaron Holm are co-CEOs of Blokable, Inc.

WHAT THEY’RE DOING: Our cost of living is increasing at its fastest rate in 10 years, according to recent numbers from the U.S. Labor Department. Why? Rising rents driven by a shortage of housing in “desirable markets,” writes one economist. And there have been more than a few solutions proposed locally: Backyard cottages! Big, affordable housing investments! Upzoning!

This week’s changemakers, Aaron Holm and Nelson Del Rio, have their own recommendation: Completely change the way we build housing.

The company they started builds modular housing units in a factory, ships them to a construction site, and stacks them (like building blocks) into completed apartment buildings. The result is faster-built, less-expensive housing.

Holm and Del Rio believe that this building approach has the potential to offer high-quality housing to families at a variety of income levels.

FUN FACT: Holm told GeekWire last summer that Blokable is building homes for $125,000 per unit compared to most West Coast units that can cost $300,000 to $800,000 each.

QUOTABLE: “What we always think about is, ‘Is this something we would live in ourselves?'” —Aaron Holm

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED: Want to learn about new, local architecture and design projects? Don’t forget to add this University of Washington event to your calendar.

Hear more from Holm and Del Rio in our two-minute video. Miss the other installments in our Changemakers series on architecture and design? You can find ’em all in one place over on our website.

Things got wild at last night’s sold out Modern Love: Seattle’s Dating Game Show event! The audience paired up contestants Philip, Ryan, Todd, Melanie, Sandra, and Javonna and you can see the shenanigans in our Instagram story. We were stoked to see such a packed house. Plus…

🕹️ It’s an Evergrey trivia night next Tuesday! This one’s free and all about toys — from that Polly Pocket you used to have to the epic action figure you never opened — all to benefit School’s Out Washington. (South Lake Union)

🔬 What is going on inside that gut of yours? In partnership with Pacific Science Center, we bring you What Can Your Stomach Stomach with Dr. Alexandra Kazaks next Thursday evening. (Queen Anne)

👏 Hear from an awesome group of local innovators, join fun workshops, and toast the ways we’re all shaping our city at our big Seattle Catalysts event on April 4, produced with Vulcan. (Downtown)

Want to unlock big discounts at Evergrey events? Support The Evergrey with a membership.

A big shakeup on Seattle City Council. Rob Johnson, the councilor behind major upzoning legislation passed on Monday, announced his resignation on Thursday. His last day on the dais will be April 5.

Johnson, who represents Northeast Seattle, had already said he would not seek re-election in the fall and will instead take a new job with NHL Seattle. He said he was leaving before the end of his term in order to spend more time with his wife and three young daughters.

City Council will appoint Johnson’s replacement. He’s pushing for someone who will be a “caretaker” and not seek election in the fall. Nine candidates have already filed paperwork for the permanent District 4 seat.

In other news…

Legendary Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki announced his retirement yesterday in Tokyo, following a pre-season exhibition game with the M’s. Ready to relive the glory days? YouTube’s got it covered. (The Seattle Times)

Boeing is under additional scrutiny after a story by The New York Times revealed that the two doomed 737 MAX airplanes lacked key safety features that the company sold as “extras.” (NYT)

‘Busmaggedon’ starts tomorrow, when King County Metro moves all its buses onto downtown surface streets. The change will clear up space in the tunnel for expanded Link light rail service. (Seattle Met)

Like a tried-and-true favorite sweater, The Infatuation’s list of “Seattle’s greatest hits” features some of the city’s best-loved restaurants. (The Infatuation)

YOU HEARD THAT RIGHT

We’re growing our team here at The Evergrey, and applications for our new engagement producer gig are due next week.

Spread the word, and we’ll see you Monday.

— The Evergrey