Search Results
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Tearing Down McMansion-Sized Housing Myths
Last week, one of the leading housing obstructionists in Cascadia’s biggest city took to the Seattle Times op-ed page to make a case against the city’s two most consequential pro-housing affordability reforms—and efforts in the state legislature to bring affordable home choices to communities across Washington. That case, published in the largest-circulation periodical in the region, is a fire hose of misinformation, a masterpiece of gish gallop, a pack—as Kurt...Read more » -
Tacoma Adopts Exemplary Reform for In-Law Apartments
Tacoma has joined the growing list of Cascadian cities taking action to welcome more in-law apartments and backyard cottages into their residential neighborhoods. On Tuesday, the Tacoma city council adopted a liberalized set of rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Tacoma got a lot right with its ADU reform, but there’s still room for improvement. Washington state law requires cities with populations above 20,000 to permit ADUs, but most...Read more » -
Age-Friendly Housing Will Be Smaller, Shared, and Flexible
A backyard cottage—a garage beautifully converted into a two-story, two-bedroom 800 square foot home—allowed Becky to afford to live close to work and within walking distance of her daughter’s elementary school. It also meant she could help her aging parents stay in their home, on the same lot. Kay built a small home behind her house so that her disabled brother could live close by and get the help he...Read more » -
Why Washington Needs Statewide Action on Backyard Cottages and In-Law Apartments
A quarter-century ago, Washington passed a law requiring cities to allow mother-in-law suites in houses. So why are Washington legislators proposing a new bill this year to reform the rules for granny flats statewide? Accessory dwelling units (ADUs), as these unassuming homes are known to policy wonks, may be legal under state law, but that hasn’t stopped cities from piling on restrictions and fees that can make it unworkable for...Read more » -
Here’s What Oregon’s Huge New Transit Housing Bill Would Legalize
One of North America’s biggest new ideas for greener transportation is spreading north. A year after a pair of California state senators drew national attention with a proposal to lift apartment bans from all residential land within a quarter mile of frequent transit, Oregon has a similar bill of its own. Senate Bill 10, which was introduced last week, had its first public hearing Monday, February 25. This isn’t the...Read more » -
Who Would Live in “Missing Middle” Housing? The Middle Class
Re-legalizing duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes in fancy Portland neighborhoods would create homes with “unaffordable average market-rate rents of $1,823/month,” one resident of a fancy Portland neighborhood warned the Oregon legislature this week. The home she owns, according to the Multnomah County assessor’s office, is currently worth $529,710. (Approximately equivalent monthly rent: $3,661.) Other residents made the exact opposite argument. “I oppose HB2001 as it will make my neighborhood no LONGER...Read more » -
Washington’s ADU bills can create modest, affordable home choices
Washington state legislators in the House and Senate are sponsoring a bill (HB 1797 / SB 5812), giving homeowners more freedom and flexibility across the state to add Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)—backyard cottages, granny flats, basement apartments, and mother-in-law suites. In cities of 2,500 people or more, and within urban growth areas, the bill would permit: Two ADUs wherever there is a single, detached house, duplex, triplex, or townhome; Eliminate off-street parking, owner-occupancy,...Read more » -
Updated: Housing Bill Tracker for 2019 Washington Legislative Session
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Why Mother-In-Laws Matter
Mother-in-Laws do matter! But we’re not talking about our spouses’ moms. (Hi, Linda!) We’re talking about apartments over garages, daylight basement suites, and backyard cottages. This kind of home can be a great living solution for renters and owners alike—with benefits for the whole community too. READ MORE: ADU Parking Quotas Are Climate Killers A key tool to keep rents and home prices under control in cities big and small is...Read more » -
Washington State to Consider Groundbreaking Suite of Housing Affordability Bills
Across Cascadia, high rents and home prices are leaving people behind. Local governments struggle to meet this massive challenge of politics and funding. In response, this year Washington state legislators are stepping up with a remarkably comprehensive suite of housing bills. Tackling a housing affordability crisis calls for three main fixes: more homes; more funding for affordable homes; and more tenant protections. Impressively, Washington lawmakers have proposed bills that do...Read more »