|
Senate passes affordable housing measure; bill on its way to
Governor
Springer’s bill would give local governments another tool
to promote affordable housing
March 2, 2006
OLYMPIA—With median home prices skyrocketing and average family
incomes staying put, local governments are finally receiving a new tool to help
promote affordable housing throughout the Puget Sound region.
“Families are struggling to find an affordable place to call home,” said Rep.
Larry Springer (D—Kirkland), prime sponsor of the measure. “This bill will give
local governments a way to encourage developers to build homes that the average
family can afford. It’s another tool in the tool box for struggling
communities.”
House bill 2984 allows local governments to grant exceptions in local zoning
regulations if developers will in turn build affordable housing. Currently local
governments can offer incentives, but the bill creates a framework to further
help with those efforts.
The bill allows local governments fully planning under the Growth Management Act
to enact or expand affordable housing incentive programs such as density
bonuses, height and bulk bonuses, mixed-use projects, fee waivers or exemptions,
parking reductions or expedited permitting under the condition that the builder
provide low-income housing units.
“It is my hope that these new incentives will create real gains in affordable
housing,” said Springer. “By bridging the gap between the public and private
sector we can create a long term solution to rising home costs. I am glad we
were able to get something done.”
The bill passed out of the Senate by a vote of 47-to-0 and is now headed to the
Governor to be signed into law.
###
For interviews:
Rep. Larry Springer, (360) 786-7822
Staff Contact:
Derek Baker, (360) 786-7697
Information on HB 2984:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2984
Radio and TV News Directors: To obtain broadcast-quality audio on this issue, or
to arrange for TV or radio interviews, please contact Dan Frizzell, caucus
broadcast coordinator, at frizzell.dan@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7208.
| 
