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Bellevue 2044 - Housing

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Housing is a key issue facing the city and the issue raised most often by community members. Over half of all respondents to the Bellevue 2044 Questionnaire rated the city’s progress towards providing a range of housing options that are affordable for people to rent or own as “below average” or “very poor.”

Planning for a range of housing types at different affordability levels is a key focus of the Periodic Update to the Comprehensive Plan. As a city we need to consider what type of housing is needed, where to put more housing, and how much housing we need to plan for to meet our goals. Some of those goals include:

  • Planning for a range of housing types and densities that allow us to maximize recent investments in transit
  • Prioritizing affordable housing for very low income families
  • Addressing past inequities that have shaped the city
  • Planning for residential neighborhoods that protect and promote the health and well-being of residents by supporting equitable access to parks, a clean environment, educational and economic opportunity, and transportation options.

On this project page we invite you to learn more about key housing data, share your housing story, and provide input that will help shape the future of housing in Bellevue.

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT READY FOR REVIEW

On Thursday, April 27 the city released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update. Community members and organizations with an interest in the future growth of Bellevue can now comment on the DEIS until 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 12. To read the DEIS and find out how to submit comments, please visit the city's Environmental Review webpage.

Housing is a key issue facing the city and the issue raised most often by community members. Over half of all respondents to the Bellevue 2044 Questionnaire rated the city’s progress towards providing a range of housing options that are affordable for people to rent or own as “below average” or “very poor.”

Planning for a range of housing types at different affordability levels is a key focus of the Periodic Update to the Comprehensive Plan. As a city we need to consider what type of housing is needed, where to put more housing, and how much housing we need to plan for to meet our goals. Some of those goals include:

  • Planning for a range of housing types and densities that allow us to maximize recent investments in transit
  • Prioritizing affordable housing for very low income families
  • Addressing past inequities that have shaped the city
  • Planning for residential neighborhoods that protect and promote the health and well-being of residents by supporting equitable access to parks, a clean environment, educational and economic opportunity, and transportation options.

On this project page we invite you to learn more about key housing data, share your housing story, and provide input that will help shape the future of housing in Bellevue.

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT READY FOR REVIEW

On Thursday, April 27 the city released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update. Community members and organizations with an interest in the future growth of Bellevue can now comment on the DEIS until 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 12. To read the DEIS and find out how to submit comments, please visit the city's Environmental Review webpage.

Share Your Housing Story

As part of the planning process the team will review a lot of data related to housing, but it's also important to hear about people's personal experience. We invite you to share your housing story. Have you or a member of your family struggled to find housing in Bellevue? Considering moving due to housing costs? Looking for a certain type of housing that you can't find?  


Thank you for sharing your story with us.
This discussion is currently paused while the community reviews the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). To learn more about the DEIS please visit https://bellevuewa.gov/2044-environmental-review.
  • Share Not enough diverse housing and diverse income people on Facebook Share Not enough diverse housing and diverse income people on Twitter Share Not enough diverse housing and diverse income people on Linkedin Email Not enough diverse housing and diverse income people link

    Not enough diverse housing and diverse income people

    by abacef, about 2 years ago

    I lived in downtown in an apartment building for a year and I did not like it. I thought it would be good to be close to work, but turns out that was not important for me. Turns out everything else was important for me. I now live in Seattle in a neighborhood community with diverse socioeconomics and all the benifits of a downtown within walking distance for HALF PRICE! In Bellevue renting does not even get cheeper the farther you move out of downtown. Also the housing stock in Bellevue is not diverse enough to draw in those who... Continue reading

  • Share Chris Marks on Facebook Share Chris Marks on Twitter Share Chris Marks on Linkedin Email Chris Marks link

    Chris Marks

    by Chris Marks, about 2 years ago

    My husband and I have lived in West Bellevue for 30 years in a house we could not afford if we were moving in now because it has increased in value about 8 times. We have 4 children who are married and starting families, but none can afford Bellevue. I spent 14 years on the Bellevue School Board and I know better than most, how really good this school district is, however, the school population is trending downward with projections to continue into the next decade. Yes, covid created disruptions, but the post-covid trends are clear, and the populations in... Continue reading

  • Share Our landlord violated our lease, and all we could do was grin and bear it on Facebook Share Our landlord violated our lease, and all we could do was grin and bear it on Twitter Share Our landlord violated our lease, and all we could do was grin and bear it on Linkedin Email Our landlord violated our lease, and all we could do was grin and bear it link

    Our landlord violated our lease, and all we could do was grin and bear it

    by almost homeless, about 2 years ago
    The property management company that owns our apartment denied us access to our apartment in Bellevue for several days for renovations we didn't ask for. It clearly states in our lease that if they do this, they are required to provide us housing. They didn't. We are fortunate that we had another resource at our disposal otherwise we would have been homeless while the renovation took place. We couldn't afford legal assistance, so I used a work benefit for a free 30-minute consultation with a lawyer. They said it was an open and shut case, the lease was clear and... Continue reading
  • Share Mom and Pop Landlord on Facebook Share Mom and Pop Landlord on Twitter Share Mom and Pop Landlord on Linkedin Email Mom and Pop Landlord link

    Mom and Pop Landlord

    by MomAndPopLandlord, about 2 years ago

    I live in Bellevue, and own 2 rental properties in Bellevue. These are houses I originally lived in, and then eventually started renting out when I moved to a different home. I've lived in Bellevue for 25 years and I've been a landlord in Bellevue for 21 years. Many people who rent from me and my wife are happy when they find out we are not a corporate landlord. They say the property is better maintained and they get better/more responsive service when there are issues. I have a place in my heart for each of my rental properties because... Continue reading

  • Share I'm afraid I may not be able to stay in Bellevue on Facebook Share I'm afraid I may not be able to stay in Bellevue on Twitter Share I'm afraid I may not be able to stay in Bellevue on Linkedin Email I'm afraid I may not be able to stay in Bellevue link

    I'm afraid I may not be able to stay in Bellevue

    by stevenpest, about 2 years ago
    I moved to Bellevue from Renton to be closer to work in early 2020. I live in a rental apartment in a great location close to work, transit options, greenspace and parks, and not too far from downtown. It has been wonderful living here, however with rental prices (housing prices in general) increasing so significantly, I am afraid I may have to move out of Bellevue again, moving further from work.


    ARCH recently submitted their recommendations for tenant protections to Eastside cities. Most of the cities in the region have adopted these common-sense tenant protection, however as far as I'm... Continue reading

  • Share There is No Affordable Housing for our Family on Facebook Share There is No Affordable Housing for our Family on Twitter Share There is No Affordable Housing for our Family on Linkedin Email There is No Affordable Housing for our Family link

    There is No Affordable Housing for our Family

    by noplacelikehome, about 2 years ago
    We are 40 somethings with a family - soon to put our youngest of three kids in the schools here. This is the area I grew up in, and never expected to find myself wondering if we would soon be priced out of living here. We originally moved back here when our first child was born after spending several years on the East Coast and wanting to escape the skyrocketing costs of living there. We had no idea that we would face much worse housing shortages and astronomical prices on structures valued 1/4th of their selling price moving here. When... Continue reading
  • Share Rent increasing by 300 dollars with no improvement to living conditions on Facebook Share Rent increasing by 300 dollars with no improvement to living conditions on Twitter Share Rent increasing by 300 dollars with no improvement to living conditions on Linkedin Email Rent increasing by 300 dollars with no improvement to living conditions link

    Rent increasing by 300 dollars with no improvement to living conditions

    by Jeri Brandt, about 2 years ago
    My fiancé and I are childless with a pit-boxer. Due to our dog's breed our living possibilities are limited. We've lived in the same apartment complex for more than 2 years and got a notice that our rent is increasing by 300 dollars without any additional investment or improvement into the property. It is frustrating because we so badly want to get into the housing market but we're paying close to mortgage price to stay in Bellevue. It is not sustainable.
  • Share Leaving Bellevue behind on Facebook Share Leaving Bellevue behind on Twitter Share Leaving Bellevue behind on Linkedin Email Leaving Bellevue behind link

    Leaving Bellevue behind

    by Callieanne2002, about 2 years ago
    My grandparents move to Bellevue in the 1940’s when people in Seattle thought they were crazy to move all the way over there to the sticks. Clearly the city is not longer a suburb in the sticks. My grandfather owned a building that housed his jewelry store and a sporting goods store on the property where Lincoln Square now stands. My parents married and, before I was born, moved their lexpanding family back to Bellevue from Seattle. I have lived her my whole life until the last 3 days. My parents bought there first home in the neighborhood behind Larsen... Continue reading
  • Share Middle Income Housing Oppertunities on Facebook Share Middle Income Housing Oppertunities on Twitter Share Middle Income Housing Oppertunities on Linkedin Email Middle Income Housing Oppertunities link

    Middle Income Housing Oppertunities

    by Desiree Leigh, about 2 years ago

    One of my concerns is how to maintain housing for our neighbors in the middle. That is those who do not qualify for affordable housing and also have been priced out of the market due to the high-end homes being built.

    Aging in place is another category of housing which we need to consider.


    Thank you for this opportunity.

  • Share Sandra Grace on Facebook Share Sandra Grace on Twitter Share Sandra Grace on Linkedin Email Sandra Grace link

    Sandra Grace

    by Sandra Grace, about 2 years ago
    Use Stronger trees4livability code recommendations and stricter enforcement. . Foreign monies driving up size of homes and disappearance of plants/trees especially our older trees. So larger homes with greater need for power etc and yet no solar panels. Climate concerns, nature/wildlife and affordability should be of utmost importance. Costs to live in Bellevue is driving out our Seniors and our younger families who can't afford to live here-if we want diversity we need to help these groups.
Page last updated: 08 Oct 2023, 11:56 AM