Housing Element

The Housing Action Plan (HAP) goal is to create an actionable policy document. Public participation informed by research and data will shape how North Bend's housing needs are addressed. A strong housing action plan is dependent on the voice of community members and stakeholders. Therefore, the final document should reflect their voices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a Housing Action Plan (HAP)?

A Housing Action Plan is a strategic plan about increasing housing options and choices in the city. The plan centers on community engagement. Provided input will guide the strategies and policies of the HAP.

Why are we doing a Housing Action Plan (HAP)?

This document will outline how the city can meet its housing needs and will be shaped by data and public input. The City opted to pursue this work and is committed to incorporating community voices into this plan.

When will the HAP be done?

The final HAP needs to be completed and go to Council for adoption by June 2023. This deadline is based on grant guidelines.

How is HAP funded?

The HAP is a state grant-funded effort that provides the opportunity to create an actionable policy document. The funding for this effort is provided via Washington State Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 1923.

What are the steps for a HAP?

The HAP includes several key components, as listed below:

Housing Needs Assessment (HNA): A HNA involves compiling various data sources to create a baseline demographic picture of a community.
Housing Policy Framework Review
Community Engagement: Grant requirements prescribe that residents and community members are given opportunities to provide input for this plan.
Draft Housing Action Plan (HAP): A draft HAP will be written and presented following the community outreach. This draft will incorporate community feedback, policy, and code recommendations.
Review and Adoption: A formal review and public hearings processes will allow the HAP to go to Council for adoption by the grant mandated deadline of June 2023.

Who is representing the community for this effort?

Stakeholder Group

Blueline asked the City to identify people to sit in two different groups. One committee is made up of city stakeholders, like residents with neighborhood ties and community leaders. The second is comprised of housing professionals, persons like developers and real estate experts. Together these two groups provide a community perspective and a technical perspective of housing in the city.

Survey

In winter 2023, the public was invited to take a Housing Action Plan survey. Everyone was encouraged to submit responses, and the survey closed on Sunday, March 5. The survey results will also inform policy recommendations for the HAP.

How does the HAP impact future city planning?

The HAP provides structure for updating the housing element of the comprehensive plan. Additionally, the HAP recommends actions and strategies around addressing the housing needs of the city.

What are other cities doing for their HAPs?

Numerous cities received this grant funding, a complete list of these municipalities can be found on the Washington State Department of Commerce Planning for Housing website.

What is affordable housing?

Affordable housing describes income restricted housing available only to qualifying low-income households. Income-restricted housing can be located in public, nonprofit, or for-profit housing developments. It can also include households using vouchers to help pay for market-rate housing. The Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) defines affordable housing as:

(2) “Affordable housing” means, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, residential housing whose monthly costs, including utilities other than telephone, do not exceed thirty percent of the monthly income of a household:

(a) For rental housing, households whose income is 60% of the median household income adjusted for household size, for the county where the household is located, as reported by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; or

(b) For owner-occupied housing, households whose income is 80% of the median household income adjusted for household size, for the county where the household is located, as reported by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

What is attainable housing?

Attainable Housing is market rate housing in which the people are spending no more than 30% of their income on their home. Implicit in this idea of attainability is the idea that a range of housing options (type, size, tenure, cost) needs to exists in the local market for a range of household incomes and preferences.

Will the HAP force North Bend to meet quotas for housing, Section 8, or rent control, or to build low-income housing?

The grant requirements and the HAP do not establish mandates. Rather the HAP provides policy recommendations. Per the GMA, the City is required to ensure sufficient land to meet population targets established by the state. These requirements are independent of the HAP.

Will the HAP address the cost of housing?

The HAP will provide policy recommendations that may indirectly address housing costs. These recommendations may influence how and what kind of housing is built.