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…
Homes Affordable For The Workforce is a county-wide project that proved Whatcom people know how to invent new revenue to invest in new homes affordable for the people who live and work here. Since 2011, the Whatcom County budget has offered cash from its Economic Development Investment (EDI ) fund to pay public utility fees…
Noriko recently passed away on September 25, 2020, but was a core volunteer for many organizations around the community including Interfaith Coalition and Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County. Noriko has been a leading force on Habitat for Humanity’s construction site. In addition to donating her time (Over 500 hours/year to Habitat alone) Noriko donates…
Kulshan Community Land Trust and Habitat for Humanity Whatcom County partnered on their biggest project to date – Telegraph Townhomes. The first 8 homes are nearly complete and many more are in the works. This partnership has allowed both organizations to increase their impacted on the affordable housing crisis in Whatcom County. Kulshan Community Land…
Base Camp: When the Covid-19 pandemic came to Whatcom County, the community had to act fast to protect some of our most vulnerable residents. The people staying at the Lighthouse Mission Ministry’s Drop-In Center (many of whom have pre-existing health conditions) were living in close quarters, with no ability to socially distance in the existing…
