Published January 26 2024
Plus, reaccreditation for 2 departments, council priorities progress and recognition for Councilmember Lee
The City Council voted unanimously Monday to fund five projects through the Housing Trust Fund and three projects through Bellevue’s Housing Stability Program. These projects will provide nearly 900 units of affordable housing on the Eastside, including 350 units in Bellevue.
A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH) recommended $4 million in investment from the 2023 Housing Trust Fund, to which member cities contribute, including $1.4 million from Bellevue. Two projects will receive an additional $2.1 million from Redmond.
The projects represent a range of housing that will meet diverse needs across the Eastside, including supportive housing for formerly homeless seniors, veterans and people with disabilities; affordable senior independent living; and transit-oriented residential development for families and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Some of the funded projects will preserve existing affordable housing.
Staff recommended a $15 million allocation for three projects from the city’s Housing Stability Program, which provides housing and housing services for vulnerable and underserved populations earning less than 60% of the area median income.
The money will fund projects in Bellevue: BRIDGE Housing’s Spring District transit-oriented development, Catholic Housing of Western Washington’s Maurice Elbert House, and the Low Income Housing Institute’s Aventine Apartments. The projects will provide affordable housing and on-site services for families and individuals exiting homelessness, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, very low-income seniors and low-income families.
The council is expected to take final action at a future meeting. More details about the projects are available in the Housing Trust agenda materials and the Housing Stability agenda materials.
Utilities and Transportation departments reaccredited
Utilities Director Lucy Liu and Transportation Director Andrew Singelakis received reaccreditation plaques from American Public Works Association representative Tina Nelson. APWA accreditation is a mark of quality and efficiency in public works. The certification verifies that the city’s practices and procedures are consistent with industry best practices.
Together, the two departments were recognized with six model practices, which can be examples for other agencies across the country seeking APWA accreditation or to improve their processes.
• Bellevue Utilities was first accredited in 2004; this is the department’s sixth accreditation.
• Transportation was first accredited in 2007; this is the department’s fifth accreditation.
City staff was acknowledged for the many hours invested in the accreditation process, which ensures the city continues to implement industry best practices to deliver high-quality services to the community.
Council priorities progress
Councilmembers also received an update on the strategic target areas and progress toward implementing three-year priorities identified by the council in 2021. The majority of supporting actions are on-track and 86% of the work plan has been completed.
Quarterly status reports on the council priorities are provided to the council and posted on the city performance dashboard.
Proclamations for Black History Month, Americans of Chinese Descent and Human Trafficking Prevention
Community members joined the council for the reading of proclamations in recognition of Black History Month, Americans of Chinese Descent History Month and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
Councilmember Lee recognized
The council also formally recognized Councilmember Conrad Lee for his 30 years on the council.
NOTE: There will be no council meeting on Jan. 29, as it is the fifth Monday of the month. The council will next meet on Feb. 5.