Snohomish County leaders proposed on Wednesday to authorize new funding for affordable housing through a 0.1% sales tax.
Using federal, state, and local resources, the county anticipates being able to build and acquire 222 new units of affordable housing in the next five years, according to a news release. The funding would also support the creation of roughly 300 more new units of housing over that same time, doubling the current production rate and bringing the total number of new units to 522.
“Too many of Snohomish County’s residents are worried about being forced onto the street because they have been on the losing end of the affordable housing crisis,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers in the news release. “For years, the supply of affordable housing has not kept pace with demand, and the spike in housing costs has pushed people to the limits. It is time for us to take bold action and do what we can to address the affordable housing crisis. Without this investment, our economy will weaken, more people will become homeless, and our quality of life will be diminished.”
According to the news release, there were 1,132 people living unsheltered in Snohomish County in 2020, a number the county says has likely increased significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. County officials said that nearly half of the county’s households cannot afford an average two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent without becoming cost-burdened.
“Every night, over 1,000 people experience homelessness in Snohomish County with the majority in our urban centers,” said Snohomish County Council Vice Chair Megan Dunn. “This funding provides sustainable revenue for emergency and affordable housing, long term supportive housing, and operating and maintenance costs coupled with the wrap-around services needed to help people get back on their feet.”
The counties of Jefferson, King, Skagit, Spokane, and Whatcom, as well as the cities of Anacortes, Ellensburg, Olympia, Port Angeles, Poulsbo, Tacoma, Wenatchee and East Wenatchee have already authorized 0.1% sales taxes for affordable housing across the state of Washington.
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