A Regional Coalition For Housing

The 2019 Sammamish Housing Strategy, also referred to as Sammamish Home Grown, serves as a work plan to guide the implementation of housing goals and policies adopted in the 2015 Sammamish Comprehensive Plan. It focuses on addressing identified housing gaps through strategies organized around key themes: Neighborhood Vitality and Character, Housing Supply and Variety, Housing Affordability, Housing for People with Special Needs, and Regional Collaboration. The plan's objective is to foster a stronger, more vibrant community for many years to come by taking a comprehensive approach to housing.

The Board focused on approving the 2027-2028 Work Program and budget, including priorities for affordable housing preservation and legislative advocacy. Members reviewed appointments to the Eastside Investment Committee, established new priorities for the Housing Trust Fund, and discussed strategies for regional parity goals and credit for local housing investments. The Board also reviewed homeownership legal templates, received updates on the Larus Project and East King County Downpayment Assistance Program, and discussed ongoing efforts related to King County’s Breaking the Cycle initiative and the Governance Task Force transition.

This strategic plan dashboard outlines the comprehensive strategies for A Regional Coalition for Housing to build more affordable housing faster. The mission is to preserve and increase housing for low- and moderate-income households in East King County. The plan is structured around key pillars: Governance and Administration, State and Regional Policy and Funding Engagement, Local Policy and Planning, and Program Implementation focusing on housing investments, incentives, preservation, and stewardship. Initiatives include enhancing governance, streamlining decision-making, engaging with elected officials, and providing policy and data resources to accelerate affordable housing development and foster equitable communities.

The Board discussed and finalized the 2027-28 ARCH budget, opting to maintain existing staffing levels to manage growth. Key topics included policy options for receiving credit for sub-regional housing investments under Countywide Planning Policies and state law, updates on local housing incentive and inclusionary programs, and the establishment of new Work Program priorities for the upcoming biennium. These priorities emphasize pipeline expansion for affordable housing, identifying dedicated revenue sources, legislative advocacy, and completing the implementation of the Governance Study.

This document outlines ARCH's 2026 Legislative Priorities, focusing on the goal of planning for over 80,000 additional affordable homes by 2044 in East King County. The plan identifies two primary priorities: increasing funding for affordable housing at both state and local levels, and reducing barriers to support local efforts in building affordable housing more rapidly. Key initiatives include advocating for local revenue options, encouraging state investments, establishing development and tax incentives, and expanding access to land. The plan also emphasizes maintaining the existing stock of affordable housing and supporting robust local housing projects.