Resolution 7700 - Laserfiche WebLink

Introduction Everett Housing Action Plan 4 and community input during regular meetings The Committee recommend a Rethink Housing Action Plan to the Mayor and City Council on June 3, 2021. Equity Equitable development is a critical aspect of planning for all elements of a community and most critically, housing to ensure that all residents who want to live in Everett have a safe and affordable place to live, community attributes that ensure economic vitality, and healthy places to recreate. Those that have been traditionally underserved, communities of color, and marginalized community members should have their specific need identified as policies, regulations, and funding are set by the local government. Equity driven decision must become a part of the overall housing action plan throughout the implementation stages. Public Engagement Activities Public engagement activities around housing issues began in 2019 during the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan Update and the Rethink Zoning process which were completed in 2020. The Rethink Housing Action Plan outreach launched in late 2020 with a Housing Forum focused on the region’s housing crisis and the housing gap for middle income households. The second Housing Forum held in early 2021 provided the community with information about Homelessness issues at the national and local level. The Forum panel discussed challenges, opportunities, innovation, and best practices for working towards ending homelessness. The final Housing Forum held August 26, 2021, hosted a panel of highly experience market rate and affordable housing developers who discussed opportunities and challenges of developing housing. All Forum Session recordings are available on the City’s website. In January 2021, two virtual “Community CHATS” were conducted with a presentation and opportunity for participants to provide input in small breakout groups. Participants were asked about the types of housing the community needs, under what scenario would different housing types such as duplexes and townhomes be acceptable in single-family neighborhoods, and to share other thoughts and ideas about housing issues. A second series of virtual CHAT sessions were held in February to engage in conversation about strategies for transit-oriented development. A final series of CHAT sessions were held in late July and early August 2021 as an introduction to the Committee Recommended Plan to community members and additional feedback and comments were provided by participants. Written comments were received and recorded throughout the Housing Action Plan Process as well as special presentations to other community groups. A full record of engagement activity outcomes is shown in Appendix B. CONNECTIONS WITH HOUSING POLICY AND OTHER CITY INITIATIVES Housing Policy System Housing policy is a multilayer and multijurisdictional system supporting initiatives intended to address housing need and support the shared social value that everyone needs a home. These policies and initiatives were used to inform the development of the Housing Action Plan.