Published January 31 2025
Plus, Councilmember Zahn discusses appointment to state legislative office, councilmembers remember a longtime city employee and three proclamations are issued
The Bellevue City Council furthered its investment in affordable housing at Tuesday’s council meeting by voting unanimously to prepare legislation approving $1,810,900 for two affordable housing projects from A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH), primarily serving people between 30-80% of the area median income, or AMI.
As part of the 2024 ARCH Housing Trust Fund allocations, the first recommendation for $1,432,000 will contribute to developing 175 units at the Larus Senior Housing project in Kenmore, which serves 40%, 50% and 60% AMI levels. The second funding recommendation for $378,000 will contribute to Bellevue’s Aventine Apartments, which support veterans experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities and families with children in the Bellevue School District. These housing units are offered for those at 30%, 50% and 80% AMI levels.
ARCH includes 15 Eastside cities that utilize the ARCH Trust Fund process to develop recommendations for the allocation of housing resources within their jurisdictions. For more than 30 years, this approach has allowed funds from multiple cities to be pooled and made available to projects across East King County with the goal of maximizing the creation of affordable housing overall and in each city.
More information on the most recent allocations can be found in the meeting materials.
Housing Stability Program funding approved
The council also directed staff to draft legislation approving $1,643,748 in funding for Amani Home, an innovative project sponsored by Congolese Integration Network, as part of the city’s Housing Stability Fund. This includes $1,305,798 in one-time capital and $67,590 in annual operations, maintenance, and onsite services funding.
This funding allocation will cover the acquisition of a five-bedroom single family home that will operate as five Housing Stability Program-supported units, complete with an onsite case manager who is well versed in providing culturally and linguistically specific services. As a transitional housing program, this project will ultimately support many more than just five households.
The Amani Home will serve refugee/asylum seekers and single-parent households with young children. The Amani Home will focus on serving those exiting homelessness and earning 30% or less of the area median income.
This project furthers the work in Bellevue to implement the 2017 Affordable Housing Strategy and 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update. It recognizes the urgent need in the city to increase investments in production, preservation and ongoing operation and maintenance of affordable housing and support related services.
The Housing Stability Program provides capital to targeted housing projects serving the City of Bellevue’s most underserved residents, and funding for services that are critical for stable living. These funds are available from sales tax revenue authorized by state House Bill 1590 and approved by the City Council. Funds can be used for construction, acquisition, and/or operations, maintenance, and on-site support services for new affordable housing serving eligible individuals in addition to community-based services that provide behavioral health and housing-related support services.
The full discussion can be viewed on Bellevue Television’s replay of the meeting.
Council comments on legislative appointment, passing of longtime city employee
At the start of the meeting, Councilmember Janice Zahn discussed her recent appointment to the State House of Representatives by the King County Council. The county council announced Jan. 21 that Zahn will be serving as State Representative for the 41st Legislative District, which includes parts of Bellevue.
“I continue to be really grateful to this council for the learning and collaboration over the years,” said Zahn, “and know that you have a friend in Olympia.”
She also noted that she was looking forward to bringing some of the policies that have worked well in Bellevue to other areas across the state. Zahn has begun her work at the state level, but said she plans to continue serving as a Bellevue city councilmember for a short time as she wraps up some key city projects.
Councilmembers also recognized the passing of longtime city employee Helena Stephens, who worked in regional government service roles for 40 years, including 30 years with the City of Bellevue. Councilmembers shared personal reflections and noted the positive influence she had on local communities and how much she will be missed.
Proclamations
The council also read proclamations in recognition of Americans of Chinese Descent History Month, International Holocaust Remembrance Day and Lunar New Year Week.