Year of Housing 2.0 Mostly Fizzles Out at Washington Legislature

The state's 60-day legislative session wrapped on March 7 with only a few housing bills headed to Governor Inslee's desk. Rent stabilization, transit-oriented development, lot-splitting, and a builder's remedy all failed to pass.
a photo of a group of people standing and talking in the sun

Housing Notes: Amazon Invests in Affordable Housing, Social Housing Goes to Ballot, JumpStart Tax...

It has been a big week for housing news in Seattle! This edition of housing notes will discuss news related to Amazon's Housing Equity...

Midweek Video: Are Shipping Containers Overrated As A Building Method?

Shipping container homes have become all the rage in recent years. But they're not necessarily as practical as they might seem when it comes...
A photo of a light green gray three story apartment building.

Latest Tacoma Growth Map Scales Back Density

Tacoma had considered allowing low-rise apartments in 40% of residential parcels, but the latest proposal has pared that back to 17.5%. Tacoma is in a...
A women holds a baby with a toddler at her feet and speaks into the micro in Seatlte council chambers.

Public Meetings Privilege Housing Opponents — Here’s How to Fix It

The way cities conduct public outreach and local elections stacks the deck against homebuilding, tenants, and people of color, research shows. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Wilson holds a bullhorn and speaks at a pre-pandemic rally standing in from or a big yellow Transit Riders Union banner.

Coalition Urges Mayor to Extend the Eviction Moratorium

At month's end, the eviction moratorium is scheduled to expire, which would put thousands of tenants at risk. A broad coalition spearheaded by the...

Burgeoning Waterfront Redefines Vancouver, Washington

Ambitious development is taking Washington State’s most overlooked city from 'Vantucky' backwater to hip. A few years ago an Urbanist reader approached me at a...
The Urbanist took a boat tour in April 2017 of the Port of Seattle, which is a vital engine for the region and a productive advantage for local industry. (Photo by Doug Trumm)

Your Friendly Neighborhood Industrial Use, Part 2

How did we get here? Over this series of articles, I am laying out an argument that Seattle should mix industrial uses in our residential...