In a significant move to address the housing affordability crisis, the Seattle City Council, led by Councilmember Dan Strauss, recently passed a legislative package to streamline affordable housing production. The package, proposed by Mayor Bruce Harrell, received overwhelming approval from the council and includes measures to increase permitting efficiency and reduce construction timelines.
One of the critical bills, Council Bill 120591, establishes permanent exemptions from design review for affordable housing projects. In rental housing projects offering 40% affordable units at up to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and homeownership projects offering 40% affordable units at up to 80% AMI, these exemptions initially applied as temporary measures during COVID-19. These projects must comply with building and land use codes, as well as health and safety regulations.
In Council Bill 120581, temporary provisions are introduced to the permit review process. On-site performance that meets the City’s Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) requirement exempts housing projects from design review. In addition, the City’s Land Use code will be updated to eliminate outdated language and allow these projects to depart from design standards in relation to affordable housing projects.
The permanent exemptions from design review have successfully expedited the opening of affordable housing projects during the pandemic. Rather than requiring extensive design review, these projects can move forward faster, resulting in lower costs and faster construction timelines. As a result of this streamlined process, more individuals and families in Seattle are able to access safe and affordable housing.
Seattle Councilmember Strauss stressed the importance of eliminating bureaucratic obstacles and expediting the development of affordable housing. Harrell reiterated these sentiments, emphasizing the urgency of reducing barriers to affordable housing construction through an efficient permitting process.
With the passage of this legislation, Seattle takes a significant step forward in its ongoing efforts to tackle the housing affordability crisis. The city aims to ensure that all residents can access safe and affordable housing by streamlining the development process and increasing the efficiency of building affordable homes. These measures create a more inclusive and equitable city for all Seattle residents.
