Issue link: https://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/1523082
M uch work has been underway to prepare for the coming changes to middle housing. With the adoption of House Bill 1110 in 2023, legalizing middle housing statewide, cities throughout our region and state will need to update their local codes to allow more housing choices. HB 1110 represents a major reform to zoning in our state that will provide more diverse housing options for more people in more places. Middle housing is important because having more choices will help everyone—older adults who want to age in place; young people starting their careers can choose to locate here; all workers vital to our communities can live closer to their jobs; and as a result, our region can thrive. Cities subject to the new law are required to implement it by mid-2025. Many jurisdictions are preparing for these changes in tandem with updating their comprehensive plans (required by the Growth Management Act). To help with HB 1110, the Washington State Department of Commerce issued model ordinances and a user guide for implementing the new law, including legal requirements and additional guidance to facilitate middle housing development. MBAKS is committed to partnering with cities to help ensure the successful implementation of this new law. In addition to providing input to the Department of Commerce on their model codes, our association has engaged with various cities that are already adopting the changes, including Lake Stevens and Bothell, among others. MBAKS has released a middle housing issue brief to support the successful implementation of House Bill 1110. The new brief, Middle Housing Implementation Plan, contains process and model code recommendations for cities subject to HB 1110, as well as tools and resources related to middle housing. MBAKS' overarching suggestion for cities implementing middle housing is to keep it simple. The easier and more cost-effective it is to build middle housing, the more likely it is to be built, and the more attainable it will be for those looking for a place to call home. The recommendations in the issue brief were informed by the work of MBAKS' Ad Hoc Middle Housing Advisory Group and are designed to streamline the review process and facilitate more housing choices. Middle housing is also the focus of MBAKS' annual Housing Solutions Breakfast set for Thursday, October 17, at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. We hope to see you there! BY ALLISON BUTCHER SENIOR POLICY ANALYST MBAKS To learn more, view MBAKS Middle Housing Implementation Plan Laying the Groundwork for Middle Housing HOUSING ADVOCACY 37 SUMMER 2024 | master BUILDER