E2SHB 1910 approved by the Legislature and became effective July 22, 2007 may help eligible cities address affordable housing. It lowers population threshold to 15,000 for cities planning under the Growth Management Act to be eligible to offer property tax exemptions for new, rehabilitated or converted multi-unit housing projects in targeted residential areas. The property tax exemption may be applied to new housing construction and to the increased value of a building due to rehabilitation. The exemption does not apply to the land or the non-housing improvements.
Eligible and participating cities must adopt standards and guidelines to use in considering applications. All participating cities must report required data annually to the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) by December 31 every year beginning in December 2007. The CTED Annual Reporting Form is available on our website link listed below, as well as the link to the Legislation.
E2SHB 1910 - Modifying property tax exemption provisions relating to new and rehabilitated multiple-unit dwellings in urban centers to provide affordable housing requirements.
MULTI-UNIT HOUSING TAX INCENTIVE PROGRAM (E2SHB 1910): This program modifies rules for certain exemptions to property taxes. It relates to new and rehabilitated multiple-unit dwellings in urban centers. The program revises the affordable Housing requirements for tax exempt properties. Cities using these incentives need to submit the following annual report - CTED ANNUAL REPORT FORM. Updated January 4, 2008
Growth Management Affordable Housing Fact Sheet
CTED Guidance Paper, Urban Densities - Central Puget Sound Edition, Sept. 2004
CTED Housing Services Department
CTED’s Affordable by Design Website- To further public awareness of well-designed, affordable and higher density housing being developed within Washington's urban growth areas under the Growth Management Act.
Affordable Housing Design Advisor - A tool, resource, idea bank and step-by step guide to Design in affordable housing. The Affordable Housing Design Advisor brings together experience and ideas from successful affordable housing projects all over the country, and the people who developed, designed and build them. Links at the Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington (MRSC) - Web Sightings- Innovative and Affordable Housing