To reduce Bellevue’s affordable housing gap, this initiative will create additional development capacity for affordable housing on properties owned or controlled by religious organizations in single-family districts in areas well-suited to multifamily housing, consistent with the city’s Affordable Housing Strategy Action C-1. Based on neighborhood context and affordable housing needs, staff developed a proposal for creating additional development capacity for affordable housing on 29 sites (see map) that meet the following criteria:
- Owned by a religious organization,
- Located in a single-family land use district,
- Located on an arterial street,
- Located within half a mile of a frequent transit stop, and
- Located within 500 feet of a land use district where multifamily housing or commercial uses are permitted.
See the History and Purpose section below to learn how this initiative builds upon previous efforts to implement Action C-1 of the Affordable Housing Strategy.
See our Action C-1 Phase 2 FAQs webpage to find answers to frequently asked questions.
On December 12, 2022, the City Council adopted the Comprehensive Plan amendment (CPA), which adds a note to the City's Land Use Map and two new Housing Element policies (HO-36 and HO-37). These policies provide guidance on which single-family properties will be eligible for a rezone and promote informing and educating religious organizations about the opportunity to develop affordable housing. Single-family designated areas on the Land Use Map may reclassify to multifamily residential when they meet the following criteria:
- One hundred percent of the housing being developed will be permanently affordable housing;
- The property is owned or controlled by a religious organization;
- The property is located near high-capacity transportation infrastructure and services; and
- The property is located near other multifamily residential or commercial use districts.
Opportunities to Engage
Staff are planning several additional opportunities to provide input on the Land Use Code Amendment (LUCA) that will follow the CPA. Please sign up to receive alerts when new information and opportunities to engage are added to this page by clicking the “Subscribe” button in the call out box to the right.
Reach out with questions, comments and feedback to project manager, James Chow (See contact information to the right).
Timeline
Schedule of Events and Actions Taken
|
Date |
Event or Action Taken |
Materials |
|
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12/6/21 |
City Council Action on Phase One Density Bonus LUCA |
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5/9/22 |
City Council Initiation of Phase Two CPA and LUCA |
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| 6/16/2022 | Notice of Application | Weekly Permit Bulletin | |
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6/22/2022 |
Planning Commission Study Session 1 (CPA) |
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| 6/29/2022 | Virtual Information Session 6:30 p.m. | ||
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7/27/2022 |
Planning Commission Study Session 2 (CPA) |
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| 8/25/2022 | Notice of Recommendation, Public Hearing and SEPA Threshold Determination | Weekly Permit Bulletin | |
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9/14/2022 |
Planning Commission Final Review Public Hearing (CPA) and Recommendation |
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11/14/2022 |
City Council Study Session (CPA) |
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12/12/2022 |
City Council Action (CPA) |
History and Purpose
Needs Assessment, Strategy, Action C-1 Phase One
In 2016, the city completed a Housing Needs Assessment that identified a gap in Bellevue's supply of affordable housing.
In 2017, Bellevue City Council adopted an Affordable Housing Strategy, which includes Action C-1 to “increase development potential on suitable land owned by public agencies, faith-based and non-profit housing entities for affordable housing.”
In 2021, Bellevue City Council adopted a 50 percent density bonus for affordable housing developments meeting these ownership criteria as the first step in implementing Action C-1.
Certain stakeholders noted during the adoption of the density bonus that some faith-owned properties in single family land use districts have location characteristics that could support higher densities and multifamily style housing. This second phase of work identifies these properties and develops a proposal for creating additional development capacity for affordable housing on these sites.
Useful Links
What is “Housing Affordability?”
The Housing Affordability webpage describes what is meant by housing affordability generally and affordable housing more specifically. Scroll down to the bottom of the page for more detailed descriptions and definitions of affordable housing.
Affordable Housing Strategy
The Affordable Housing Strategy webpage provides an overview of the city’s strategy to increase availability and access to affordable housing in the city. To read the full strategy click here.
Housing Affordability Glossary
The Housing Affordability Glossary provides definitions of common terms used when discussing housing affordability.
Ongoing Housing Work
Keep abreast of all projects and initiatives part of the city's ongoing housing work program here.