The landscape of Bellevue's initiatives around affordable housing is set to evolve as the city recently launched an update to its Affordable Housing Strategy, a blueprint that outlines targets for affordable housing over the next decade. In a recent briefing, the City Council ratified a lofty goal to produce or preserve 5,700 affordable housing units, a notable uptick of 128% from the previous 10-year target.
This revised target, adopted in May, segments the 5,700 units into distinct income brackets, with 2,700 units reserved for families earning up to 30% of the area median income (AMI) and 1,450 units for those earning between 30 and 50% of AMI. The remaining 1,550 units are earmarked for households earning between 50 and 80% of AMI. Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson commented on the enhanced goals, "As pleased as I am with the tremendous progress we’ve made in reaching our original target for adding and preserving affordable housing, it’s simply not enough." She added from the City of Bellevue website, "I am proud of these ambitious new goals that we have set for our future."
According to a report by Bellevue's official city news, since the adoption of the initial Affordable Housing Strategy in 2017, steps have been taken to hit 21 specific housing actions across five major strategy areas. In 2022, Bellevue's "Next Right Work" affordable housing initiative played a key role in helping the city meet and exceed its original 10-year target of 2,500 affordable units before the 2027 deadline, with 2,270 units already completed or under preservation and another 709 approved for the development pipeline.
The renewed focus on affordable housing dovetails with Bellevue's efforts to keep pace with expected growth, which figures prominently in the newly adopted 2024-2044 Comprehensive Plan. The Affordable Housing Strategy update, slated for development over the next year, promises engagement with the community at several junctures. Mayor Robinson's narrative underscores the city's resolution, stating that this update "represents an ongoing dedication to ensuring Bellevue remains a place that everyone can afford to call home." According to the City of Bellevue.
Bellevue residents and stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the upcoming community engagement opportunities to shape the future of affordable housing in the city. Further information on the Affordable Housing Strategy and its updates can be found on the City of Bellevue's official website.
