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EVERETT 2044 <br />COMPREHENSIVE PLAN <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 6/17/2025 <br />COMPREHENSIVE PLAN <br />HOUSING ELEMENT <br /> Page 55 <br />housing, and affordable homes into new developments by offering incentives like tax relief and <br />streamlined permitting. With new transit options such as Sound Transit light rail stations coming online, <br />transit-oriented developments are set to increase high-density housing in key areas, making it easier for <br />people to live close to jobs and community amenities. These efforts aim not only to add more units but <br />also to foster inclusive, vibrant neighborhoods where residents have access to a full range of housing <br />choices that support a sustainable, thriving community. <br />As of 2024, housing affordability remains a major challenge in Everett and across the nation. While the <br />City has introduced various measures to make housing more accessible, the supply of affordable homes <br />is still falling short—particularly for low-income households. <br />To address this issue, Everett is pursuing a range of strategies. These include: <br />• Inclusionary Zoning: Requiring new developments to include affordable units. <br />• Multi-Family Tax Exemption Program: Offering tax relief to developers who build affordable, <br />environmentally sustainable housing. <br />• Housing Finance Methods: Exploring ways to lower construction costs and expand the stock of <br />affordable homes. <br />The overall goal is to ensure that as Everett grows, it does so in a way that benefits everyone—especially <br />those who need affordable housing the most. <br />Housing Equity <br />Everett is committed to ensuring that all residents have equal access to safe, quality housing. Housing <br />equity means that every neighborhood, regardless of its historical or socioeconomic background, <br />benefits from affordable, well-maintained homes and community amenities. The City is taking steps to <br />address long-standing disparities by engaging communities in the planning process, investing in <br />historically underserved areas, and implementing policies that prevent displacement. By actively <br />promoting mixed-income communities and enforcing fair housing practices, Everett aims to create <br />neighborhoods where everyone can thrive without facing discrimination or undue burden. This <br />commitment to housing equity is central to our vision of an inclusive and vibrant community that honors <br />its past while building a better future for all residents.