Civic Roundtable attendees examine past, present and future of housing in Edmonds

Jeremy Mitchell, an architect and member of the Edmonds Planning Board, spoke at a recent Civic Roundtable about the city's escalating housing costs. He highlighted that rent at his former apartment has risen from $795 in 2007 to $1,380 this year, indicating significant affordability challenges. The city expects to welcome 13,000 new residents and 9,000 new housing units in the coming two decades, prioritizing growth in walkable areas. The median home price has soared to $939,953, resulting in a median multiple of 8. 1, suggesting severe housing affordability issues.

Mitchell stressed the necessity of comprehensive planning to address these challenges, with a focus on collaboration among the Planning Board, City Council, and community stakeholders. The city is also considering implementing Neighborhood Centers and Hubs, which combine multifamily housing with commercial spaces to accommodate growth. Mitchell pointed out that historical changes in regulations and permitting have contributed to rising housing costs, contrasting with the more straightforward processes of the past. Recent legislative actions in Washington State, including rent stabilization measures, aim to tackle housing issues, but the effectiveness remains to be seen.