Tacoma’s Ambitious Housing Plan: Balancing Growth and Affordability

Tacoma is taking bold steps to address its housing crisis with the “Home in Tacoma” project, a comprehensive plan to increase housing diversity and affordability. This initiative, part of the city’s Affordable Housing Action Strategy, seeks to introduce more varied housing types and make it easier for residents of all income levels to find homes.

Phase 1: Setting the Stage

Approved by the City Council in December 2021, Phase 1 of the Home in Tacoma project established the basic policy direction and vision for new housing. It set the groundwork for allowing more housing types beyond single-family dwellings and aimed to meet state mandates for affordable housing. The initiative encourages the development of duplexes, triplexes, and multi-family units in traditionally single-family neighborhoods to address the pressing demand for diverse housing options. As part of the broader strategy, the City is also exploring the implementation of a new tax for affordable housing to fund projects that provide equitable access to housing for low-income residents. This approach seeks to balance growth with inclusivity while addressing long-standing housing shortages.

Phase 1 laid the foundation for further developments, ensuring that Tacoma could accommodate different housing needs while adhering to regulatory requirements. This phase focused on identifying areas where zoning changes could be implemented to encourage more diverse and affordable housing options.

Phase 2: Detailed Plans and Implementation

Phase 2 of the Home in Tacoma project is now in full swing. It focuses on implementing residential zoning changes, introducing new housing types, and setting standards within those zones.

Community input has significantly shaped this phase, with over 1,500 comments contributing to its features. Phase 2's main components include zoning reclassification, building type definitions, relaxed parking requirements, tree retention and planting regulations.

Zoning reclassification will introduce three new zones (UR-1, UR-2, UR-3), allowing for smaller developments in some areas and larger mixed-use commercial districts in others. New building types will be permitted, such as house plexes, backyard buildings, rowhouses, courtyard housing, and multiplexes.

The parking requirements, especially near transit, will be relaxed to encourage higher density and more affordable housing options. Additionally, new regulations will ensure that development projects include planting trees and retaining the city’s green canopy.

Addressing Community Concerns

Council members and city planners acknowledge that not all areas of Tacoma can accommodate the same types of development. Special districts, view-sensitive areas, and private covenants can limit where new housing can be built. Despite these limitations, the city aims to make significant progress in meeting its housing goals. To achieve this, the city is focusing on strategic zoning changes and incentives to encourage higher-density housing in areas that can support it. By aligning these efforts with Tacoma real estate market trends, planners hope to address increasing demand while preserving the character of existing neighborhoods. This balanced approach aims to both expand housing availability and sustain property values across the city.

City officials have emphasized that the project does not eliminate single-family housing nor affect already restricted areas governed by privately run covenants or historic designations. The plan is designed to respect the character of the existing neighborhood while still promoting affordable housing development throughout the city.

Upcoming Steps and Public Involvement

Community informational meetings are planned for August, providing residents with opportunities to learn about Phase 2 and offer feedback. A public hearing is scheduled for September 24, 2024, to allow for further community input before final council approval later this year.

These sessions will be crucial for ensuring that the voices of Tacoma’s residents are heard and that the final plan reflects the community's needs and priorities. The city aims to implement the new zoning changes by February 1, 2025, making significant strides toward addressing the housing crisis.

The Home in Tacoma project represents a significant effort to address the city’s housing challenges. Tacoma aims to create a more inclusive and sustainable community by promoting diverse housing types and focusing on affordability.

The project's success will depend on continued community engagement and thoughtful implementation of its ambitious plans.

Tacoma's commitment to balancing growth, affordability, and community input sets a promising precedent for other cities facing similar housing challenges. As the project progresses, the focus will remain on creating livable, walkable, and sustainable neighborhoods for all residents.

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