Local Housing Policy Initiatives & Engagement Housing WA Conference, October 6, 2015 Kelly Rider, Policy Director Kayla Schott-Bresler, Policy Manager Marty Kooistra, Executive Director Housing Development Consortium Seattle-King County

Overview Go Local Comprehensive Plan Framework Local Solutions to Match Local Context

Why Local Action? Build community, ownership, and connection to public sector and process Traditional resources aren’t keeping up with the need Growth Management Act responsibility State has provided a lot of local flexibility Devolution Growth Need federal gov’t. never be able to solve the need. can’t abandon communities where local action isn’t possible b/c of political context.

How close are you to your elected officials? 320 million 7 million 55k How man people are trying to influence them. Only three of them are representing but at local level if no districts, all represent you. 147 535 7 7,857 : 1 598,131 : 1 47,619: 1

Comprehensive Plan Framework Washington State’s Growth Management Act & Comprehensive Plan Housing Elements

Washington State Growth Management Act Requires communities to plan for their share of anticipated population growth State Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A) enacted in 1990 Housing Goal to: “…encourage the availability of affordable housing to all economic segments of the population of this state, promote a variety of residential densities and housing types, and encourage preservation of existing housing stock.” Housing Policy implementation starts with Local Comprehensive Plan Housing Elements Requires communities to plan for their share of anticipated population growth (as provided by the state and county population allocation process.)

Comprehensive Plan Housing Element Local Comprehensive Plans must include a Housing Element that: (a) includes a needs assessment; (b) includes a statement of goals, policies, objectives, and mandatory provisions for the preservation, improvement, and development of housing (c) identifies sufficient land for housing (d) makes adequate provisions for existing and projected needs of all economic segments of the community. Local Comprehensive Plans must also be consistent with regional policy documents (ie: MPOs like PSRC’s Vision 2040) and Countywide Planning Policies. Some cities also complete a Strategy Plan. Housing Elements make commitments to explore or implement housing policies. Local Comprehensive Plans must include a Housing Element that: (a) includes an inventory and analysis of existing and projected housing needs that identifies the number of housing units necessary to manage projected growth; (b) includes a statement of goals, policies, objectives, and mandatory provisions for the preservation, improvement, and development of housing, including single-family residences; (c) identifies sufficient land for housing, including, but not limited to, government-assisted housing, housing for low-income families, manufactured housing, multifamily housing, and group homes and foster care facilities; and (d) makes adequate provisions for existing and projected needs of all economic segments of the community.

Example Policies Promote Equitable Communities of Opportunity Promote a variety of housing types in all neighborhoods. Encourage preservation AND new development of housing throughout the city that addresses the needs of all economic segments. In all neighborhoods, particularly near employment, education, and transit opportunities, encourage and support funding and permitting for the development of housing affordable to low-income households. Promote use of vacant, surplus land for affordable housing, particularly near transit, employment, and education opportunities. Promote Partnerships Encourage, assist, and partner with non-profit organizations that construct and provide affordable housing and related services. Collaborate with other jurisdictions to assess housing needs, coordinate funding, and preserve and create affordable housing. Support and encourage legislation at the county, state, and federal level that promotes affordable housing goals. Mixed Neighborhoods instead of segregated neighborhoods Commit to things broader than city ownership. No excuse of “we don’t have the resources.” Importance of state lobbying and cost efficiencies of working across sectors and jurisdictional boundaries.

Example Policies Increase Public Funding Work regionally to increase availability of public and private resources for affordable housing. Explore the feasibility of creating a City or regional housing trust fund. Support public and private funding for affordable housing at the local, state, and federal level. Provide Development Incentives Provide density bonuses, parking reductions, multi-family tax exemptions, fee waivers and permit expediting to encourage the development of housing affordable at below market-rate, for the greatest number of homes at the deepest level of affordability possible. Consider mandating provision of affordable housing in transit station areas and when providing increased development potential. Monitor, Evaluate, Review & Amend Funding needed particularly at 30% AMI and below Development Incentives bring in for-profit market, make non-profit development more cost effective and typically serve higher income households

Assessing Your Strengths & Opportunities Who are your champions? Staff Councilmembers Planning Commissioners What fits your local context? Preservation &/or New Construction Non-Profit &/or For-Profit Financing v Land Use Policies Explore &/or Require

Preparing for Comp Plan Engagement Policy Recommendations (Solutions) Mobilization (Messengers) Messaging (Values) Data (Needs) Know Your Timeline Should be able to get data through the Housing Needs Assessment of the Comprehensive Plan

Local Solutions to Match Local Context Comprehensive Plan Implementation

Non-Regulatory Actions Education & Community Engagement Strategy Task Force Partnerships State and Federal Advocacy I haven’t mentioned surplus property anywhere except in comp plan policies

Community Education and Awareness Building Partnerships Staff Role Houisng for All forum and Plannign Commission Meeting NKC Workgroup

Development Incentives or Requirements Shoreline MFTE Inclusionary/Incentive Zoning Commercial Linkage Fee Impact Fee Exemption Parking Reductions Fire Benefit Charge Exemption Mention permit and other fees to exempt? How sure are we about legality? Might want to mention the “poor and infirm” clause. TOD

Inclusionary Zoning Opportunity for action Policy Choices Voluntary or Mandatory? “Set-Aside” Requirement Income Targeting Incentives In-Lieu Fee? Shoreline example, transit investment, and upzone. Incentives can be layered with other programs (mfte, impact fee exemptions) HALA

Financing Housing Trust Funds & ARCH Housing levies HB 2263 Mental Illness & Drug Dependency sales tax Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) Sound Transit 3 General Fund CDBG Dedicate revenue from a specific purpose Dedicate $ per resident allocation CDBG allocations ST3 funding and surplus properties

Choices, Choices, Choices Taxing Source Action Jurisdiction Authorizing Leg Housing Levy Property Tax Voter approval City or County RCW 84.55 HB 2263 Sales Tax County, cities after 2 years (3 years in King County) RCW 82.14 REET Tax on the sale of real estate Council approval City Not yet authorized for affordable housing Mention iz and other things that can fund trust funds

Other Strategies Tenant Protections Preservation Tenant Relocation and Assistance Ordinance Just Cause Eviction Ordinance Section 8 Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Access to Housing Legislation, HALA Preservation Rental Inspections Acquisition/Code Enforcement Loan Program Preservation Property Tax Exemption Accountable Communities of Health Note support for Section 8 at the state level too

Final Thoughts & Recommendations

Resources http://www.commerce.wa.gov/Services/localgovernment/Growth Management/Short-Course-on-Local- Planning/Pages/default.aspx http://mrsc.org/getdoc/5b348b11-643a-47dd-affb- bd47f577175c/Planning.aspx HALA ARCH GMA website Comp Plan website PSRC housing element guide Add HDC housing wa report?