CITY
City of Puyallup - Code Amendments for HB 1220
City of Tacoma - Sales Tax Deferral or Exemption for Affordable Housing (SB 5755)
City of Tacoma 2021 - 2024 Biennial Budget Process
Tacoma Public Schools - Gault Middle School Redevelopment
COUNTY
Pierce County Candidate Forums
STATE
Pierce County State Legislative Races
Drafting a Legislative Agenda
CITY
City of Puyallup - Code Amendments for HB 1220
On July 13, 2022, the City of Puyallup Planning Commission held a public hearing on code amendments related to emergency shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing (PSH). Changes included the incorporation of definitions, new requirements for permitting these sites, and changes to where these sites can be located. AHC testified in opposition to new permitting requirements and expressed concern over the limitations placed on where emergency shelters can be located. The Planning Commission did not make a recommendation, and staff will be coming back to them with more information on HMIS, the number of PSH units in the city, and drafting an option for an over-the-counter type permit for PSH providers.
City of Tacoma - Sales Tax Deferral or Exemption for Affordable Housing (SB 5755)
In the 2022 Legislative Session, SB 5755 passed, which allows select municipalities to pass a sales tax deferral or exemption for affordable housing built on underdeveloped lands. AHC has met with Tacoma Councilmembers Rumbaugh, Hines, Daniels, and Bushnell to discuss passing a resolution allowing the exemption. AHC has identified four potential sites that could be utilized and estimates that with the development of 100 units per parcel, $1.25M could be saved per project, for a total potential of $5M. We are hoping to get the issue to Committee so city staff can provide more information and take it to Council for a vote. We also met with Senator Trudeau, the Prime Sponsor of the Bill, and requested that she send a letter to City Council and staff. The letter was sent from the 27th Delegation on July 14, 2022.
City of Tacoma 2023-2024 Biennial Budget Process
The city of Tacoma has started community engagement efforts for its 2023-2024 biennial budget. The Balancing Act Budget Simulator is available and provides a budget line item for affordable housing. The biennial budget for 2023 - 2024 will be adopted in November of 2022.
Tacoma Public Schools - Gault Middle School Redevelopment
A bid to redevelop Gault Middle School (Eastside of Tacoma) was put out in April 2022 by Tacoma Pubic Schools (TPS). TPS received three proposals, two that would develop affordable housing and one that would develop a mix of workforce and market-rate housing. TPS sought public comment on the proposals and scored them, with the determination to move forward with Chaffey Building Group (market-rate housing). AHC, in partnership with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, is advocating for the site to include affordable housing and is setting meetings with TPS Directors to discuss the issue. TPS held a public hearing on July 14, 2022, to discuss the Chaffey Group’s proposal, and a Resolution was passed to enter into negotiation of a purchase and sale agreement for Gault MS with Chaffey Building Group. The next TPS Public Hearing is scheduled for August 11, 2022, at 6 PM.
COUNTY
Pierce County Candidate Forums
There are three Pierce County Council positions up for election: County Council Districts 1, 5, and 7. Current incumbents are District 1, Dave Morell, and District 5, Marty Campbell. Derek Young has served the maximum number of terms and is currently seated in District 7. The 2022 primary election date is August 2, 2022. The two with the most votes in each position will advance to the general election, which takes place on November 8, 2022. Current candidates are as follows:
Position & DistrictName
County Council No. 1 Timothy Tooker
County Council No. 1 Dave Morell
County Council No. 5 Nancy Dailey Slotnick
County Council No. 5 Marty Campbell
County Council No. 7 Josh Harris
County Council No. 7 Mitch Anderson
County Council No. 7 Robyn Denson
County Council No. 7 Paula Lonergan
County Council No. 7 Chuck West
AHC intends to work with the Tacoma-Pierce County League of Women Voters to host candidate forums for Pierce County Council Candidates. The AHC Advocacy Committee will work to create a list of questions on the topics of affordable housing and homelessness.
STATE
Pierce County State Legislative Races
AHC will not be hosting candidate forums for state legislative races this year. In partnership with the Pierce County League of Women Voters, we are happy to share their non-partisan candidate forums.
Drafting a Legislative Agenda
Each year, AHC creates a state legislative agenda to advance affordable housing in the State of Washington and Pierce County. AHC will survey its members for input on legislative issues they would like AHC to work on. AHC’s Advocacy Committee will review, discuss and vote on which issues will make up the legislative agenda. From there, the proposed legislative agenda will go to the AHC Board for a discussion and vote of approval.