Mayor Brown Announces Proposals to Jumpstart New Affordable Housing Development

Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown introduced a legislative package aimed at enhancing affordable housing development, targeting the creation of 22,359 new units by 2046. This initiative is part of the H. O. M. E.

Starts Here Plan, which outlines strategies for addressing housing and homelessness in the city. Among the proposals is the establishment of the Housing Equity and Attainable Residences Trust (HEART) Fund, which seeks to streamline funding processes for affordable housing projects. Additionally, a permit fee deferral program will alleviate upfront costs for developers building income-restricted units, allowing them to defer up to $150,000 in fees. Mayor Brown highlighted the importance of these measures in removing barriers to housing development. The city will also update its unified development code to enhance clarity and efficiency in the permitting process.

These initiatives are designed to improve housing stability and affordability in Spokane. Community support for the HEART Fund name change reflects local engagement in addressing housing issues.