The Middle Housing Grant Program provides technical support (see section below) and grant funds to help eligible cities (currently, those within Snohomish, King, Pierce, and Kitsap counties) take actions toward allowing middle housing types on at least 30% of existing single family-zoned lots. Local actions under the grant may include (but are not limited to):
The funding comes from a state budget proviso aimed at helping those cities that have 2024 due dates under the Growth Management Act for their periodic review and, as needed, amendments to their comprehensive plans and development regulations. (Currently, this applies to cities within King, Snohomish, Pierce, and Kitsap counties.) The GMA review process must consider policies and implementation steps to meet a variety of housing needs, including for middle housing types. In the state budget proviso, "middle housing types" are defined to include duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, fiveplexes, sixplexes, townhouses, courtyard apartments, cottage housing, and stacked flats.
* Note: While draft ordinances are expected as part of the scopes of work, final actions on such ordinances are not required by the end of the grant period (June 30, 2023) but may be considered later.
Base-level Middle Housing grants funds are awarded to reflect population as follows:
Cities may apply for additional funding, beyond the base amount above, to provide to community-based organizations (especially those that are typically under-represented in the planning process) or to meet other specific needs. Also, new information: If needed to accomplish key tasks, cites may seek a contract amendment that results in greater amounts than previously established. (Greater amounts requested may be approved at Commerce's sole discretion.) The grant contracts are performance-based, so funds are provided at key steps of the project, based on deliverables. The work needed for the local project may be accomplished by City staff and/or hired consultants.
Each city must use a racial equity analysis and provide for anti-displacement policies as required under RCW 36.70A.070(2)(e) through (h) to avoid displacement of very low, low or moderate-income households, as defined in RCW 43.63A.510, or individuals from racial, ethnic and religious communities that have been subject to discriminatory housing policies in the past. Commerce will provide guidance and technical assistance for this work.
Instructions and applications for the Grant Program are available on the GMS Grant's Page linked here. The funds are currently available only through the end of June, 2023, so jurisdictions must move quickly to contract for (or amend their contract amounts) and expend their Middle Housing grants.
Based on feedback from city and county representatives, Commerce hired a three-person team of experienced professional to provide technical support toward inclusion of of middle housing in single-family zoning and related work by providing opportunities for:
Commerce provides additional technical assistance on a range of housing topics, including: racially disparate impacts, displacement, exclusion, and future housing needs.
Documents, resources, and examples have been provided in several folders connected to this webpage. Folder information will be updated periodically.
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