Mayor Greg Nickels is considering a renewal of Seattle's affordable housing levy that would almost double the tax burden of the current levy.

The city is polling residents about a new levy because the current seven-year $86 million property-tax levy expires at the end of 2009. The poll by EMC Research asks about priorities (senior housing or green housing, for instance) and tests campaign messages (good housing makes for stable neighborhoods).

It also asks the money-question: Would you support a levy of $167 million, $144 million, or $107 million?

The $167-million option would cost 20 cents per $1,000 of assessed value and help 23,000 people over seven years, according to the poll. The $107-million version would cost 13 cents per $1,000 of assessed value and serve 13,000 Seattleites.

The 15-minute poll twice asks an overarching question: Do you feel that now, more than ever, we need to tax ourselves for affordable housing? Or do you feel these tough economic times call for belt-tightening and less tax money for affordable housing?

In September 2002, taxpayers approved the $86-million levy, even though the economy was then sagging in a post-dot.com, post-9/11 funk. The city, at that time, was raising parking fines and temporarily closing libraries to cope with a budget shortfall.

A pro-levy campaign committee has been created but it hasn't reported any contributions or expenses yet. Nickels' spokesman Alex Fryer said the $44,000 poll was paid out of the city's general fund. Once the mayor decides on his proposal it goes to the City Council for approval before it lands on the ballot.