ARCH Cities Commission Middle Housing Engagement Report

In 2022, the cities of Bellevue, Bothell, Kenmore, Newcastle, and Redmond partnered with Eastside for All and many more community-based organizations to assist with engaging underrepresented populations on the topic of adding “middle housing” in neighborhoods that currently allow only single-family or similar residential housing types. The final report has now been published, with information collected from over 650 participants that were brought together by trusted community organizations to learn about middle housing. Of these participants, 44% completed surveys in languages other than English, with 46% indicating they had previously experienced displacement due to high housing costs. The report provides valuable data and insights to inform efforts to address middle housing at a critical time in local planning processes, as many jurisdictions work to update their Comprehensive Plans and determine how to apply new state directives on middle housing. The project was also an important opportunity for cities to build relationships with community partners and residents that have not historically been engaged by public planning processes in East King County. “We hope this process will lead to more community-centered engagement practices focused on people who are most impacted by the housing challenges in our region,” said Debbie Lacy, Executive Director of Eastside for All.