In a practical step toward addressing housing needs, the Washington State Board of Natural Resources has approved the transfer of a half-acre of state trust land in Tacoma to Pierce County. The Department of Natural Resources announced that, while modest in size, the parcel holds strategic importance for expanding affordable housing in the area.
The unanimous decision came down during the Board’s regular meeting on Tuesday, a nod to the rising urgency of tackling housing shortages, and this isn't just about throwing a plot of land at a problem, but is a thoughtful conversion of underused public terrain into potential housing opportunities. “We continue to innovate and diversify how our lands generate revenue for education and community services. I believe that public lands should serve a variety of public benefits, especially as they transition to other uses. I’m excited to help Pierce County Community Development Corporation use this property to address our housing shortage,” Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove stated with a fiscal responsibility hat on while also eyeing communal value, as noted by the Department of Natural Resources.
Pierce County itself seems to be all in, eager to transform this zoned residential slice into something that can hold up to 24 homes. It's a dose of forward-thinking courtesy of land that used to be, well, just there. "This land transfer marks another important milestone in our continued partnership with DNR,” Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello expressed, clearly appreciating the collaborative spirit funneling into what's pegged as an actionable step towards long-term community stability, making it clear that this is about tangible lifelines for working families and not just adding more houses to the landscape, according to DNR.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is transferring a half-acre of land valued at $200,000, with funds going back into its Land Bank to support education and community services statewide. The agency generates over $250 million annually from forest management and land leases, including clean energy projects. DNR can also transfer state trust lands directly to Tribes, local governments, and other public entities at fair market value.
