Housing Developments: Lather, rinse, repeal?
HDC Members: Help set our policy priorities for 2019
Each year HDC staff seek policy ideas from members for consideration in our annual Policy Priorities, beginning with an online survey. Staff at all member organizations are encouraged to use this survey to share what you would like the HDC Board to consider including in our 2019 Policy Priorities.
The deadline to submit a response to the survey is Friday, July 13th at 5 pm. If you would prefer, you may also share ideas over the phone or in person by contacting Sara Wamsley. We’ll continue to reach out in the coming weeks with other ways to engage in the policy setting process.
Other developments…
- Seattle’s ‘Head Tax’ may be headed for repeal tomorrow. Council President Bruce Harrell announced this morning that in a special meeting tomorrow, he will sponsor legislation to repeal the city’s employee hours tax less. Mayor Durkan and six other councilmembers also signaled their support in the statement. Councilmember Mosqueda said she could not support a repeal without a replacement.
- Kent caps impact fees on residential development. Last Tuesday, the Kent City Council capped impact fees to about $8.4k per apartment and $8.2k per single family house, rejecting a proposal from Federal Way Public Schools that would have placed the impact fee at over $20k per apartment.
- Capitol Hill Station Groundbreaking next Tuesday: Once completed, the development will include 428 new homes, 42% of which will be affordable to households at or below 30%, 50%, and 60% AMI.
- New Out of Reach report to be released Wednesday. The NLIHC’s annual report showing the housing wagefor each state will be released this Wednesday, June 13th at 10 am EST. The current housing wage for King County? $29.69.
- Mary’s Place has a new place in Burien: The new location will sleep about 200 people and offer supportive programming.
- Renton City Council approved a moratorium on townhomes in the city’s commercial arterial zone. “There’s a need for town homes in the city. We just need to identify where is the appropriate location,” one city staff member said.
- Rent in Renton up 2.2% from last year and has increased for four months straight, reports the Renton Reporter.
- Unique opportunity for Bellevue advocates: The Bellevue Essentials program for emerging community leaders to learn about various public and community development processes. Apply to be part of the 2018 class by August 1st.
- Redmond’s first budget hearing of the season coming up 6/19. HDC will be there to urge continued support for the Eastside Housing Trust Fund. Redmond advocates- join us!
- Seattle’s proposed city-wide Mandatory Housing Affordability program is inching closer to implementation after a hearings examiner ruled largely in city’s favor, but much remains before council can vote.
- Seattle’s ADU/DADU Draft EIS Comment Period Open: The City is accepting comments on its Accessory Dwelling Unit Draft EIS until June 25th.
- 35% of parking spaces within existing apartment buildings go unused, but West Seattle residents are feeling frustrated by perceived lack of parking planning for new housing developments.
- “Tenants don’t know about their right to challenge rent hikes in those situations.” A couple living in South Park shared their story about living in substandard housing… and still being priced out.
- Washington Home Ownership Resource Center hosts State Homeownership Convening on June 13th in Tukwila: Registration is now open for the third annual statewide homeownership convening!
