Mayor Brown Announces Proposals to Jumpstart New Affordable Housing Development

Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown unveiled a legislative package aimed at accelerating affordable housing development, aligning with the H. O. M. E. Starts Here Plan.

Key proposals include the establishment of the Housing Equity and Attainable Residences Trust (HEART) Fund, which seeks to streamline funding for affordable housing projects. The initiative also introduces a permit fee deferral program to ease financial burdens on developers constructing income-restricted units. Furthermore, the City plans to modernize its unified development code to enhance clarity and efficiency in the permitting process. Mayor Brown highlighted the urgency of addressing housing needs, stating, “Spokane needs more housing units at all levels, but especially affordable units. ” The proposed measures aim to eliminate barriers for developers and facilitate the creation of over 22,000 new housing units by 2046.

The HEART Fund will provide more flexibility in funding and align with state law. These efforts reflect a comprehensive approach to improving housing stability in Spokane.