BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Bellingham residents have a chance to weigh in on a new proposal aimed at expanding affordable housing.
The Bellingham City Council is holding a public hearing on Monday, Aug. 24, to discuss a proposed ordinance called the “Low-Income Housing Development Incentive.”
If approved, it would exempt some city-funded development projects from most zoning and land use regulations.
The exemption would only apply to projects with permanently affordable units, defined as households earning less than 80% of Area Median Income.
According to the city, removing the zoning regulations would lower the cost and increase the volume of affordable housing while making it more attractive for developers.
Monday’s public hearing takes place at the beginning of the council’s regular meeting at 7 p.m. Residents can sign up online on the day of the meeting or in person outside the council chambers starting at 6:30 p.m.
The proposal was already subject to a public hearing on July 9, after which the city’s planning commission recommended it for approval.
The council is expected to vote on whether to approve the ordinance for a first and second reading following the hearing.
