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Housing

Harrell Proposes Design Review Exemption for Downtown Housing Projects

Mayor Harrell is hoping to activate downtown through greater housing development and his administration has proposed a design review exemption for qualifying housing and/or laboratory projects in the downtown core to encourage such growth.
A lawn with concrete steps ringed by trees with the shiny new towers of Downtown Bellevue rising above in the background.

East Link TOD: Housing Growth Picks Up in Downtown Bellevue Ahead of Light Rail

We're starting our transit-oriented development (TOD) series in Downtown Bellevue. Check out how the Eastside's highrise capital has been growing, with 13,000 homes recently added or in development, in anticipation of East Link light rail's arrival on April 27.
Morales wears a yellow blazer and glasses.

Seattle Land Use Committee Rejects Morales’ Equitable Development Bill

Chair Tammy Morales appeared flabbergasted as she initially failed to get a second to her motion to introduce her bill providing incentives for affordable housing.
Bird's eye view of downtown Bremerton with the marina and some midrise buildings in the foreground.

Bremerton Considers Bold Housing Reforms in its Comprehensive Plan Update

Reforms being considered by Bremerton as part of this year's major planning update include eliminating parking mandates, removing height limits in downtown, and expanding neighborhoods where additional density is allowed.
An aerial photo of a boulevard with port cranes and Elliott Bay in the distance.

Planners Proposed Bigger Upzones Before Harrell’s Team Intervened, Records Show

A paper trail from fall 2023 shows that Mayor Harrell's office overruled his planning department and cut transit corridor upzones and halved the number of proposed "neighborhood centers" before release of the growth strategy.
A small crane move materials to the top of a three story townhome complex where a construction work receives them.

Franz: Mobilize Washington State-Owned Land to Tackle Housing Affordability Crisis

“All Lands, All Hands, All Together” effort could make a dent in housing crisis. Too many people are feeling it right now – that quiet...
Photo of Rian Watt wearing a t-shirt from the National Civil Rights museum and an unbuttoned button down shirt. He is smiling slightly.

Urbanist Leader Rian Watt Talks Housing Crisis on Hacks & Wonks Podcast

The Urbanist's Executive Director Rian Watt appeared on Crystal Fincher's Hacks and Wonks podcast on April 9 to talk about the housing crisis. He offered three fixes for the Seattle Comprehensive Plan.

Op-Ed: Growth Plan Fails to Put Enough Housing for Workers in Seattle

Cloud City Coffee is an anchor in the Maple Leaf business district. Seattle's growth plan isn't what the city needs to allow its employees to live close by.