Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/1496538
BY ALLISON BUTCHER SENIOR POLICY ANALYST MBAKS W e all know the Puget Sound region is facing a housing crisis. The Puget Sound Regional Council estimates that, by 2050, we'll need an additional 800,000 homes to keep up with demand from our growing population. Our region is already tens of thousands of homes behind in production for our current needs. Addressing this crisis will require many solutions, and building more homes of all types is one way we can create a sustainable future for our diverse and growing population. MBAKS created HousingAndTrees.com to help increase awareness in the community about the connection between the housing crisis and local tree policies. The campaign coincides with tree code updates happening in multiple local jurisdictions throughout our region: The city of Seattle has been working on a new tree code, and the cities of Bellevue, Redmond, and other eastside cities are set to update their tree codes this year as well. What's the Problem? Trees are vital to our quality of life, the beauty of our neighborhoods, and our community identity— maintaining a healthy tree canopy should be a priority for our region. At the same time, restrictive tree codes significantly impact the Puget Sound region's ability to produce enough housing to accommodate current residents, newcomers, and future generations. When too restrictive or unclear, tree policies can delay or stop new home construction, which ultimately increases housing costs and creates unnecessary barriers for anyone seeking to rent or buy a home. Likewise, property owners, who are not typically engaged in the process of developing these policies, can be impacted by them as well. These policies can limit or prevent property owners from making changes to their property, such as remodeling or adding a backyard cottage. What's the Solution? MBAKS is encouraging people across the region to learn about and advocate for balanced tree policies in their communities. Local tree policies are important in maintaining a city's tree coverage, but they can have unintended consequences when it comes to housing. Our communities need policies that allow flexibility in the building process to maintain tree coverage while responding to urgent housing needs. Trees and Housing— We Need Both! MBAKS Tree Campaign Highlights Need for Balance When too restrictive or unclear, tree policies can delay or stop new home construction, which ultimately increases housing costs and creates unnecessary barriers for anyone seeking to rent or buy a home. Continue learning about this issue and receive updates about tree code changes in communities across the region at HousingAndTrees.com/stay-informed 52 master BUILDER | SPRING 2023 HOUSING ADVOCACY