(The Center Square) – A recent executive order from Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund seeks to quickly address a worsening housing crisis within the city through streamlined permitting processes, new legislation, and incentivising the creation of more housing.
Within the next several months, the Bellingham City Council will be sent two proposed interim ordinances from Lund’s office that seek to boost the city’s housing capacity.
The first interim ordinance proposal would remove parking minimums throughout the city. These city rules require a set amount of parking for housing developments throughout the city.
According to a press release from Lund’s office, by removing parking minimums, land for housing frees up and helps reduce housing costs.
Another ordinance intends to expand Bellingham’s “infill housing toolkit” from just a few select neighborhoods to the entire city.
The toolkit includes development guidance and standards that promote the development of seven traditional housing forms that use a limited amount of residential space. Examples of this types of housing include duplexes and cottage homes.
“We are bringing these interim ordinances to city council for consideration because these policy changes are critical levers to drive the housing supply we need,” Lund said in a Thursday statement. “By creating interim ordinances, it also gives us the time and flexibility to test strategies that other communities have used to increase housing supply.”
City staff are now searching for viable locations within the city for an additional tiny home village.
Staff will also continue exploring property and partnerships for future affordable housing developments.
The executive order acts as an urgent response amid worrying statistics on the rate of housing within the city.
According to the executive order, the city has issued permits for 413 units of housing through Nov. 15. That is only about half of the city’s annual target.
The city is also struggling to catch up from the deficit of housing units incurred during the 2008 economic recession.
“We have yet to catch up from the deficit of housing that resulted from the 2008-2012 economic recession, and we aren’t adding enough new housing today,” Lund said. “What’s at stake is the vibrancy and resiliency of our community, the opportunities for people to make this place their home.”
The executive order also cites data from the U.S. Census Bureau, in which the median rent in Bellingham has increased by 37% and the median home price has gone up by 56% over the last five years.
Furthermore, Bellingham’s Consolidated Plan points out that 56% of city renters and 24% of homeowners spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
