Shaping Spokane Housing aims to address our housing needs while preserving community character and livability. Based off the well-informed strategies in the Spokane Housing Action Plan (HAP), the program identifies comprehensive plan policies and development code regulations that can be improved to increase housing choice throughout Spokane.
Shaping Spokane Housing includes multiple projects working to address our housing needs.
While the Building Opportunity and Choices for All interim ordinance does not include financial incentives, those building under the pilot may be able to take advantage of existing tax incentives.
In targeted areas, new multi-family housing projects including condos, apartments, student housing, and townhomes can qualify for a significant property tax exemption. The improvement value of the new housing can be exempt from property tax for 8 or 12 years. Learn more about the multi-family tax exemption and file an application.
Wanting to remodel your home, add rooms, or add an additional dwelling unit? You can qualify for a property tax exemption on the value of that new improvement for three-years. Learn more about the single-family and detached ADU tax exemption.
We want to hear from the community throughout the process for each code and Comprehensive Plan amendment. It is important that proposed changes give all existing and future residents more options for housing types and locations.
Emailed announcements about the Shaping Spokane Housing project.
Historically, Spokane has offered a mix of housing options - from mansion apartments in the historic Browne's Addition, post-War era neighborhoods like Chief Garry Park, and suburban developments like Indian Trail. However, as the city has grown the diversity and supply of housing has not been able to meet the needs of all income levels. How do we know? As part of the Spokane Housing Action Plan (HAP), the City completed a Housing Needs Assessment to determine the types of housing residents need more of, as well as the displacement risk of various Census tracts throughout the city.
Washington's Growth Management Act (GMA) (Chapter 36.70A RCW) calls for promoting a variety of residential housing types and densities, preserving existing housing stock, and encouraging housing that is affordable to all income levels. To implement these policies, cities and counties planning under the GMA must include a housing element in their comprehensive plans, or a community's roadmap for growth.
The City of Spokane Comprehensive Plan reflects our community's values to support economic opportunity for all citizens with affordable housing and attractive neighborhoods. The document provides a vision of housing that is safe, clean, healthy, and attainable for all residents. And recent changes to State law (House Bill 1923) aim to increase residential capacity in cities across the state.
Responding to the new legislation, in July 2021, the City adopted its Housing Action Plan (HAP) to focus on implementation of housing policies and goals. The HAP identifies actions that the city can pursue to encourage more housing options and create more homes for more people. The Housing Action Plan built upon past initiatives and community discussions around infill development, housing quality, and affordable housing funding. The HAP yielded a coordinated set of strategies, based on community priorities, that supports more people being able to find a home that meets their needs with access to opportunities, services, and amenities.
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City of Spokane
Department of Planning Services
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201
509.625.6500
