Microhousing building next to a single family home. Blue sky overhead and sunset lighting.

Seattle Proposes Co-Living Ordinance Seeking to Meet New State Mandate

Seattle already has draft legislation that would go a long toward implementing the state mandate to allow "co-living" micro-apartments this year, but there are some aspects that may need fine-tuning by the city council or another round of legislation next year to comply.
Photo is courtesy of Olympians for People-Oriented Places.

Wonkabout Washington: Lessons in Intergenerational Organizing from Olympia

We’re all socially distancing here in Washington but last week we convened a group of land use leaders in Olympia for a discussion about how to...

Sunday Video: How The US Made Affordable Homes Illegal

https://youtu.be/0Flsg_mzG-M Vox digs deep into why American housing is so expensive, which runs the gamut from exclusionary zoning practices to a history of redlining.

Despite Slowdown Worries, 2021 Sets A Townhouse Production Record in Seattle

Last year, The Urbanist covered a Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) report suggesting that townhouse development in Seattle might be...

MHA Has Advanced to the Finish Line

Affordable housing advocates should set their sights on what comes next. Citywide Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) legislation passed 8-0 out of the select committee earlier...
A photo of colorful townhouses with a tree in front.

It’s Time for Smart Solutions for Our Housing Crisis

Everyone needs a home, and that’s why all of us are hurt by Washington’s housing crisis. Nearly 23,000 people in our state experienced homelessness in...
An rooftop view of rows of midrise apartments in South Lake Union with Capitol Hill in the distance.

Policy Lab: Cracking Down on Rental “Junk Fees”

President Biden has called out junk fees, but local landlords continue to charge them. Here's what Seattle and other cities can do to address them.

The Urbanist Case for $15/Hour

Over the past year, there has been a growing faction in Seattle that believes the minimum wage should be higher -- much higher. The...