Housing

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.

A million-dollar McLaren Elva briefly graced the 47th floor rooftop next to the jacuzzi to promote the "First Light" condo tower opening this summer. The housing market is working quite well for the rich, how about for the rest of us?

Seattle could hit the brakes on implementing an energy code that's much more stringent than the state code, in the hopes of getting more housing units into the development pipeline.

The zoning changes could spur construction of up to 1,000 homes, many of them affordable, as part of a new makers district along 4th Avenue S in Georgetown.

Seattle needs to allow more housing in today's single family zones if it's serious about its housing crisis. Strict multiplex size restrictions need to go from the Mayor's growth plan.

East Main, South Bellevue, and Wilburton Station are the clear laggards along the 2 Line where development activity has been sparse. A pending zoning update offers a lot of hope for Wilburton, a little for East Main, and none for South Bellevue.

The path forward is clear: a revised and ambitious Comprehensive Plan that should reform zoning rules and housing policies to allow more homes of all shapes and sizes; and incentivize affordable housing and homeownership.

Check out an event in a packed calendar of Affordable Housing Week events running the gambit from a keynote kickoff Monday to building tours to The Urbanist's social hour Thursday.