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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 affordable housing is possible on Facebook Share affordable housing is possible on Twitter Share affordable housing is possible on Linkedin Email affordable housing is possible link

    affordable housing is possible

    by Barbara Carey, about 2 years ago
    We have recently moved from a downtown apartment near the park to Silver Glen off of BelRed road - a co-operative community for those over 55 - independent living.


    Tha apartment has heated up tremendously the last two years because of the many buildings to the east that face west and reflect afternoon heat on those to the west. It is becoming intolerable. The city planners have allowed so many building that the city dwellers are having to endure warmer temperatures than more open space would provide.


    The co-op is a very interesting alternative - prices are held by a... Continue reading

  • Share A landlord's perspective on Facebook Share A landlord's perspective on Twitter Share A landlord's perspective on Linkedin Email A landlord's perspective link

    A landlord's perspective

    by Bill Dennis, about 2 years ago
    I am a small landlord with one rental home a few blocks from my own. I maintain the home well and work with my tenants during difficulties.


    When I signed my most recent lease, my tenant negotiated a slight increase in rent in exchange for a 2 year lock on the price (I gave 3 years).


    I do not feel a need to maximize rent just because the market has gone there. A tenant should have the right to some stability.


    While I am now far below current rents, I am fine with that. Where this will become a problem... Continue reading

  • Share Property tax increase forcing a move on Facebook Share Property tax increase forcing a move on Twitter Share Property tax increase forcing a move on Linkedin Email Property tax increase forcing a move link

    Property tax increase forcing a move

    by Privacy , about 2 years ago
    The massive increase in our property taxes has made staying in our home impossible. Can we ask people who are not primary residents to pay more? Can we tax foreigners who want second homes here? We need housing for residents, not for real estate portfolios.
  • Share Costly on Facebook Share Costly on Twitter Share Costly on Linkedin Email Costly link

    Costly

    by Tamecat , about 2 years ago
    We decided to live in the footprint of Clyde Hill Elementary. We elected to spend more on the house and use public school. It worked out, but our now adult son can’t afford a one bedroom apartment anywhere in town. He’s in a two bedroom apartment with a roommate. Paying more than 30% of his income for housing.
  • Share Housing hunting on the eastside on Facebook Share Housing hunting on the eastside on Twitter Share Housing hunting on the eastside on Linkedin Email Housing hunting on the eastside link

    Housing hunting on the eastside

    by Susan P, about 2 years ago
    Over six years ago I began search for smaller home to downsize to after my spouse's death. Low inventory for several years and most were expensive fixer uppers so I passed. Even these fixers were being gobbled up by international cash payers at way over price, solely for investment purposes - homes remained unoccupied for a long time when I checked back on them in my area.

    Quit looking for three years during Covid but now I see smaller homes being bought up and mowed down to insert mega homes with tiny yards (smaller than even the yards we have... Continue reading

  • Share The only house you can afford is the one you live in on Facebook Share The only house you can afford is the one you live in on Twitter Share The only house you can afford is the one you live in on Linkedin Email The only house you can afford is the one you live in link

    The only house you can afford is the one you live in

    by marriedtotech, about 2 years ago

    I moved to Bellevue in 2008 when I married my spouse, who had purchased a modest SFH in NE Bellevue a few years earlier on his tech worker salary. Working in a less lucrative field, I am keenly aware that I would not be able to afford to live in Bellevue if not for being partnered with someone who works in tech. I also find it incredibly sad that as we add all sorts of low-wage jobs in Bellevue, the only housing we seem to be adding is luxury housing that none of those retail, food, and service workers can... Continue reading

  • Share Amazing opportunity on Facebook Share Amazing opportunity on Twitter Share Amazing opportunity on Linkedin Email Amazing opportunity link

    Amazing opportunity

    by Gabrielle , about 2 years ago
    I’m a young 72 year old woman living in a 55 and over subsidized apartment building in West Bellevue. I love Bellevue. In the 1990’s, as a working single Mom, I commuted from Snohomish for 6 years to complete a BA at City University. I always felt at home in Bellevue, but I never imagine I could ever live here, because of high cost of housing. This is the only way I can live here comfortably. I’m in an amazing location, a half a block from Main Street, Old Bellevue. It feels like a miracle! I feel very blessed to... Continue reading
  • Share Robinswood on Facebook Share Robinswood on Twitter Share Robinswood on Linkedin Email Robinswood link

    Robinswood

    by slocan, about 2 years ago
    I grew up in Robinswood. My parents bought a 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bathrooms, double garage for $15,000 in 1955. It was to be my parents starter home but they ended up living there until the end. I lived with my mother for 12 years, as she declined and died in her home December 2012. It became my adult home too. I love Robinswood Park and walking around Phantom Lake, almost daily. I've been dismayed to watch new people move in and cut down the beautiful Douglas Fir trees. Bellevue really needs stricter tree cutting laws. My mother left the... Continue reading
  • Share We basic workers cannot live here on Facebook Share We basic workers cannot live here on Twitter Share We basic workers cannot live here on Linkedin Email We basic workers cannot live here link

    We basic workers cannot live here

    by RNcycler, about 2 years ago

    I moved here from NC in December to be near family, who have lived here before prices escalated. I am single and a nurse, and in NC, I could live comfortably in a new home and commute by moped safely to work. I tried applying to rent in this area where I got my new job here (in Bellevue) and would sometimes be 18th in line with a credit score over 700 and no debt and still could find very few places that would even accept my application because of the demand and applicants ahead of me in line. Few... Continue reading

  • Share Too little, too expensive on Facebook Share Too little, too expensive on Twitter Share Too little, too expensive on Linkedin Email Too little, too expensive link

    Too little, too expensive

    by nothere, about 2 years ago

    I moved to Bellevue in 2016. At the time, I was a student at Bellevue College, where I also had a part time job. On my very small salary, the only housing I could afford in the area was the option of renting out the living room of a 2 bedroom apartment shared with two other people in West Bellevue. And I felt lucky that I was able to find even that, after months of searching and reaching out to housing ads.


    I was paying out of pocket for college at that time and did not yet receive financial aid... Continue reading

Page last updated: 08 Oct 2023, 11:56 AM