Housing affordability concerns reaching a boiling point

Across the state, the community conversation and concern over the cost of housing is reaching a boiling point. For example, on a randomly selected three-day stretch from May 7-9 we saw news stories statewide on various aspects of this challenge. Read a sample of those stories:

Central Puget Sound

Seattle Times As home prices hit new highs, cost of living overtakes traffic as worst part of living in Seattle area

MyNorthwest Median home price climbs in King County again

South Puget Sound

The Olympian Brace yourself: Thurston County homes are selling faster than last year

The News Tribune Home prices all over the map, literally and monetarily, in Pierce County

Northwest Washington

The Bellingham Herald Relaxed rules for backyard cottages split the Bellingham council. Here are the new rules.

KING TV Bellingham approves ‘backyard houses’ to fight shortage

The Journal of the San Juan Islands San Juan County staff seek proposals for affordable rentals on Lopez

Eastern Washington

KREM 2 City wants feedback on proposed changes to code on vacant multifamily homes

Southwest Washington

Chinook Observer Housing authority seeking help with strategic priorities

AWC expects that interest around this issue will continue and that a number of proposals will advance next session with the laudable goal of bending down the housing cost curve. In many parts of the country, state legislatures are considering preemptions of local land use authority to respond to this challenge. We have already seen the beginning of those ideas coming to our state, such as the mandatory density bill form last session that failed to pass (SB 6077).

AWC will proactively develop ideas from cities on creative tools and options to respond to this crisis, while respecting local approaches. We will continue to oppose statewide, one-size-fits-all solutions.

We need your input and ideas! Please contact Carl Schroeder with any thoughts you have on how cities can respond to these challenges, particularly if you have thoughts on work that we can do with our partners at the state level to help you be more successful.