Bellevue's relatively new ordinance will allow for up to 4,400 new affordable housing units to be developed on church

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Bellevue may be falling behind when it comes to affordable housing production, but it is leading the Puget Sound region in one regard. The city — known for its high property values — has become one of the first in the region to allow faith-based organizations to develop high-density affordable units on their properties.

“Faith-based organizations are uniquely positioned to understand the needs of the communities they serve and own a significant amount of land in Bellevue,” said Sabrina Velarde, Housing Stability Program coordinator for the city.

The city adopted the ordinance — referred to as C-1 — in June 2023. The law was adopted four years after the Washington state Legislature passed a bill giving cities and counties the green light to allow for more affordable housing density on property owned or controlled by religious organizations.

And density is key, said Yichuan Zhao, executive director of Imagine Housing, an affordable housing development and services nonprofit.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2024/10/22/bellevue-affordable-housing-faith-based-properties.html