2022/08/31 Council Agenda Packet

Ordinance 3724-20 Moratorium resolved, revised supportive housing regulations Removed supportive housing from the use matrix resulting in supportive housing development regulated as housing. Ordinance 3774-20 Rethink zoning Rethink zoning updated the definition from temporary shelter homes to Group housing, temporary shelter and amended the term to include a time limit and adding safe parking sites and tiny home communities as temporary housing/shelter to serve people experiencing homelessness. The ordinance also updated code to enact RCW 35.21.915 related to religious organizations hosting homeless housing on site. RECENT STATE LEGISLATION This proposal addresses the following state legislation. HB 1220 (2021) Supporting emergency shelters and housing through local planning and development regulations. The 2021 legislature passed HB 1220 which includes new requirements for local jurisdictions to accommodate indoor emergency housing and indoor emergency shelter as well as transitional and permanent supportive housing serving people experiencing homelessness. The section of the bill at issue, which took effect on September 30, 2021, is codified as RCW 35.21.683 RCW 35.21.683 — Transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, indoor emergency shelters, and indoor emergency housing. A city shall not prohibit transitional housing or permanent supportive housing in any zones in which residential dwelling units or hotels are allowed. Effective September 30, 2021, a city shall not prohibit indoor emergency shelters and indoor emergency housing in any zones in which hotels are allowed, except in such cities that have adopted an ordinance authorizing indoor emergency shelters and indoor emergency housing in a majority of zones within a one -mile proximity to transit. Reasonable occupancy, spacing, and intensity of use requirements may be imposed by ordinance on permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, and indoor emergency shelters to protect public health and safety. Any such requirements on occupancy, spacing, and intensity of use may not prevent the siting of a sufficient number of permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, or indoor emergency shelters necessary to accommodate each city's projected need for such housing and shelter under RCW 36.70A.070(2)(a)(ii). HB 1754 (2020) Concerning the hosting of the homeless by religious organizations. This bill strictly limits local actions that limit the ability of a religious organization hosting homeless on the property owned or controlled by the religious organization whether within buildings or elsewhere on the property outside the building. The section of the bill at issue, which took effect on September 30, 2021, is codified as RCW 35.21.915: RCW 35.21.915 — Hosting the homeless by religious organizations —When authorized — Requirements —Prohibitions on local actions. (1) A religious organization may host the homeless on property owned or controlled by the religious organization whether within buildings located on the property or elsewhere on the property outside of buildings. (2) Except as provided in subsection (7) of this section, a city or town may not enact an ordinance or regulation or take any other action that: (a) Imposes conditions other than those necessary to protect public health and safety and that do not substantially burden the decisions or actions of a religious organization regarding the location of housing or shelter, such as an outdoor encampment, indoor City Council Staff Memo: Shelter and Housing for Homeless Individuals Code Amendments— Ordinance Page 3 of 10 EVEP ETi