The Washington State Department of Commerce announced that 52 cities will receive a total of $4 million to address housing affordability. Funds will help cities create housing action plans and change city codes to increase urban residential building capacity and streamline development regulations.
Earlier this year, the Legislature passed HB 1923 authorizing this new grant program to help address the housing affordability crisis throughout the state.
The grants fund the development of housing action plans, municipal code changes, subarea planning, and environmental reviews—actions which are intended to encourage production of more housing and a greater variety of housing types.
Grant recipients
See the list of grant recipients and projects. The cities pursuing code changes will address at least two of the following:
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Type
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Number of cities
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Duplex/corner lot
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Nine cities
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Division of land/Short subdivision process
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Six cities
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Duplex/triplex/courtyard apartment
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Nine cities
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Cluster zoning
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Six cities
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ADU changes
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Six cities
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Infill exemption
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Two cities
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Form-based code
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Four cities
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Planned action
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Two cities
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Minimum density of six units per acre in all residential zones/capacity increase
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One city
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Next steps
We believe there may be opportunities to expand grant opportunities in the upcoming year and beyond. If additional funding were available or additional activities became eligible: Do you have projects that your city would apply for under HB 1923? Please let Carl and Shannon know.