A while ago I shared some brief details on the City of Bellingham’s upcoming Consolidated Plan, what it is and why it matters. The Consolidated Plan is now in draft form on the COB website and our city needs you to review and comment by March 31st. You can read the Consolidated Plan Overview here.…
On March 14th California YIMBY Policy Director, Ned Resnikoff, will present his findings from his report entitled, “Housing Abundance as a Condition for Ending Homelessness.” In his report, Ned reviews lessons from Houston Texas and how California can improve their approach. A quick snapshot of his findings can be found to the left. His findings…
The City of Bellingham is getting closer to releasing it’s 2023-2027 Consolidated Plan. Every five years the city is required to prepare this plan, which provides an assessment of Bellingham’s development needs and an analysis of the housing market, with a focus on low-income individuals. This is a necessary step for the city to receive…
A list of all the housing bills that were in hearing and committee during the past week. While these are past it is helpful to know what is in discussion moving forward. Monday 1/23 10:30 am – Senate Law & Justice SB 5258 (Condo reform) – Hearing SB 5058 (No building enclosure docs for small…
On Monday, Bellingham City Council held a public hearing on amendments to COB’s Accessory Dwelling Unit language. We want to review what was discussed, pushback and recommendations, so you can have a clearer understanding of how the WHA, Council and others are grappling with our housing crisis Planning Commission had recommended the following three amendments:…
It’s a big week in the housing world. Locally, in Bellingham, WA City Council will be hearing public testimony on ADUs. If you’d like to attend, it all starts at 7pm at Council Chambers on 210 Lottie Street. To read what the Whatcom Housing Alliance recommends to improve our housing crisis, go here and read…
On this coming Monday, 1.23.23 @ 7pm Bellingham City Council will be be taking public testimony on the status of ADUs. They released the meeting packet which you can find here. But the agenda is below. While public written testimony is now closed you can review the options to submit testimony below
2023 will be a pivotal year for Whatcom County and Washington State’s housing crisis. There are currently at least eight (8) housing bills in consideration within in Washington State’s legislature. This many pieces of legislation is an indication of just how immediate the crisis is in our cities, our citizens and our legislator’s minds. Locally,…
The Whatcom Housing Alliance (WHA) is very excited for Washington State’s 2023 Legislative Session. It will be pivotal in shifting our state towards more middle housing opportunities. There are a number of bills in consideration that legalize middle housing and ease regulations. In an effort to maximize our partnerships, we’re teamed up with Sightline Institutes‘…
The Whatcom Housing Alliance’s steering committee submitted this letter ahead of the City Council’s public hearing on 1.23.23 @ 7pm. We need more testimony and more support for ADUs and Middle Housing ahead of this hearing. If you want to be up to date on what is happening in housing in Bellingham, opportunities to organize…
