Creating Affordable Housing Solutions

The challenges in the housing world are many, including: ending homelessness, increasing the supply of affordable rental housing, and creating a range of new for-sale housing types that provide an entry to home ownership. These are nationwide issues, but are even more acute in coastal areas surrounded by plentiful natural and cultural amenities. Compounding these problems locally, expanding student enrollment and a growing population have resulted in some of the lowest rental vacancy rates in the State.

These issues will not be resolved by a few simple changes. More housing supply, a wider range of housing types, and the creation of more middle-wage jobs will help close the affordability gap. These require an engaged community and a willingness to consider a wide range of solutions. The Council has initiated a series of discussions on these issues, including Council work sessions on rental access barriers, and sessions to explore proposals to increase the supply of market-rate housing. A Town Hall in June allowed Council members to hear ideas from experts and the public on rental and ownership affordability solutions.

The City Council supports City efforts to encourage new housing production. Urban Village Incentives support development of both residential and commercial buildings in designated areas, including Downtown. A housing levy passed by the voters in 2012 (“Home Fund“) supports new affordable housing construction, rehabilitates existing affordable housing, and pays for services needed to help people stay in their homes. There is also a multi-family tax exemption for both market-rate and affordable units in select urban areas;

Housing Equity Assessment

In 2018, the City Council tasked its Planning and Community Development Committee with creating specifications for a Housing Equity Assessment that will document the distribution of housing, services, parks, and economic opportunity within the City of Bellingham. To inform this process, the Planning Committee has convened expert stakeholders to understand needs and opportunities from their perspective. See video links and summaries of discussions below.

Protections for Manufactured Home Parks

The City Council has acted to enhance protections of manufactured home parks to help preserve this important form of affordable housing. Activities included docketing (approving for future action) an amendment to the City’s Comprehensive Plan that will provide policy support for manufactured home park protections. The Council also approved an emergency moratorium to prevent manufactured home park redevelopment while permanent rules are being drafted. See the following links for more information.

Comprehensive Plan Docketing Proposals
Video, June 3, 2019: Approval of Manufactured Home Park Redevelopment Moratorium (see “Mayor’s Report”)

Planning Committee Work Sessions on Residential Rental Barriers/Concerns

Many Bellingham community members reside in rental housing. A number of concerns have been brought to Council’s attention, including how to provide information on tenant rights and responsibilities, and income discrimination issues in rental housing. The Planning Committee heard from professionals who bring various perspectives on the issue, including renter advocacy organizations, rental property managers, and organizations that own or manage public housing or run rental assistance programs. The Council adopted an ordinance to prohibit source of income discrimination in rental housing and to expand notification of rental increases under certain circumstances. The following links include meeting videos and materials (click on specific agenda item to see video display).

Planning Committee Work Sessions on Affordable Housing

The Planning Committee is examining proposals to improve the supply of affordable housing in Bellingham and to protect residents from being displaced from their homes. Meeting links and materials are posted below.

Homelessness

Other Housing Resources

City Council Town Hall on Housing

In 2017 the City Council held a Town Hall to explore solutions that could improve the supply of, and access to, affordable housing of all types. Meeting links are posted below.

Town Hall, June 13, 2017, Bellingham High School

Contacts

Mark Gardner, City Council Legislative Analyst, mgardner@cob.org