In previous articles, we have updated you on the formation and progress of the AWC Housing Solutions Group (HSG). To recap, the group of city officials spent August through November in a facilitated process, meeting several times together and a few times with external partners, including
key legislators and Governor Inslee. The HSG’s task was to develop a proactive suite of legislative proposals to address the housing affordability and supply challenges facing all corners of the state.
To do so, the HSG narrowed the scope to areas where cities could directly impact change. The group recognized the need for a multifaceted approach that bolsters the capacity of cities to accommodate new housing construction, allow it to be built with
more certainty and speed, and acknowledged the need for significantly more resources if our state is to meet the identified need for housing that is affordable to our neighbors with lower incomes.
The proposal includes elements that may cause some consternation among some cities, especially the proposed zoning minimums. The HSG carefully calibrated the need to preserve local decision-making while proposing minimum standards to maximize the benefit
of public investments in transit and community amenities. It is important to note that the proposal below is a package with interdependent components. We can make progress on our housing crisis only by pursuing a holistic approach that truly results
in affordable housing.
Maximize density and affordability around regional transit assets - No maximum density allowed within ½ mile walking distance of rapid transit (rail-based and bus rapid transit), if 20% of units are affordable at 80% of AMI or below for fifty years.
- Cities may set minimum density and higher affordability standards.
- Cities may otherwise regulate through local development standards including height and envelope limitations.
| Regulatory streamlining - Exempt all residential development from SEPA if the development intensity is consistent with what is planned for in the comprehensive plan.
- Eliminate external design review boards and only allow administrative review of design standards. External design review boards include community volunteer based advisory boards.
- Provide state funding assistance for voluntary code audits and to develop more online and streamlined permitting systems.
- Support changes to the state building code to facilitate middle housing (e.g. apply the residential building code up to six units).
|
Maximize utilization of community amenities or broad upzone across residential zones
All cities over 20,000 must select a or b: - Cities must allow at least three units per residential lot, in any configuration, by permitted use within ¼ mile walking distance from schools and community parks. ADUs and DADUs count as a unit each. Cities may otherwise regulate
through local development standards. If no rapid transit exists in a city, city must allow at least three units per lot within a ¼ mile walking distance of arterials. Individual lots can be excluded with a documented finding
of an infrastructure deficiency.
OR
- 75% of residential lots in a city must allow at least three units per lot, in any configuration, by permitted use. Cities may otherwise regulate through local development standards.
| Funding Infrastructure investments to support housing - Restore revenues to the Public Works Assistance Account to ensure infrastructure funding for capacity increases is available.
- Continue and enhance Connecting Housing and Infrastructure Program.
Direct funding for housing - Increase funding for low-income housing by at least $1 billion per year.
- Provide a new .25% councilmanic local option REET that can be used to fund affordable rentals, affordable home ownership, and infrastructure to support housing. Allow cities to convert local REET taxes to “progressive tiers”
mirroring the state.
- Provide additional flexibility for use of lodging taxes for affordable housing.
- Increase funding for cities to plan for housing and density increases.
|
With the release of this proposal, AWC staff are sharing it with our partners and working to develop legislative proposals to advance these ideas. In the coming weeks we will be developing and sharing advocacy materials that you can use to talk to your
legislators about this comprehensive proposal that we believe will meaningfully address the housing crisis in the state.