Summary

The City of Duvall received grant funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce through the Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill (E2SHB) 1923, enabling Duvall to prepare a Housing Action Plan for urban residential capacity improvement.

The City of Duvall HAP aims to promote housing diversity, affordability, and diversity while preserving displacement by analyzing housing needs and identifying appropriate strategies.

 Separating Myth and Fact

 Myth: The Housing Action Plan immediately and directly changes housing policy.

Fact: The Housing Action Plan identifies policy improvements and actions to alleviate community housing pressures.

 Myth: The City of Duvall acts as a housing developer.

Fact: Although Duvall does not directly develop community housing, the city creates policies, partnerships, programs, and regulations that shape how much, what type, and where housing can be built over a long period.

Myth: The housing crisis is caused by city regulations

Fact: The housing crisis is complex and influenced by interest rates, population growth, and market fluctuations. Incomplete permit applications and a lack of private-sector project management expertise also delay housing development.

Coming Up…

Complete Draft Duvall Housing Action Plan

Snoqualmie Housing Needs Assessment

RCW Requirements for a Housing Action Plan

Signed SEPA Checklist 

Signed SEPA DNS

Coming Soon

Housing Action Plan (Individual Parts) 

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Part V

Part VI

Part VII

Part VIII

Short Course on Housing Affordability

Video 1: Housing Action Plan Introduction

House Bill 1923

Growth Management Act

Washington State Department of Commerce

Who do I contact in the city about the HAP?

Call or text Niomi at 425-548-3996 or email her at niomi.montesdeoca@duvallwa.gov

 What is a Housing Action Plan (HAP)?

A Housing Action Plan is a document that gives plans, strategies, and actions to take so that there are more housing options and choices for the people who live, want to live, or want to stay in Duvall. in the city.

 Why is Duvall writing a Housing Action Plan (HAP)?

This document will outline how the city can meet its housing needs and will be shaped by data and public input. Housing is an essential human need and something that affects all of us.

 When will the HAP be done?

The final HAP needs to be completed and adopted by June 2023. This deadline is based on grant guidelines.

 How is HAP funded?

The HAP is a state grant-funded effort that allows the creation of an actionable policy document. The funding for this effort is provided via Washington State Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 1923.

 What are the steps for a HAP?

The HAP includes several important chapters:

1. Housing Needs Assessment (HNA): This chapter has various data sources to create a baseline demographic picture of a community.

2. Housing Policy Framework Review: This chapter analyzes the City’s Comprehensive Plan of Housing Element policies. It is compared to the regional and countywide policies to see where Duvall’s policies might be missing something. It also examines existing housing regulations and their effectiveness in allowing more homes to be built.

3. Community Engagement: This is the most important part. Policies important to Duvall's people cannot be written unless they tell us what they think!

4. Draft Housing Action Plan (HAP): A draft HAP will be written and presented following the community outreach. This draft will incorporate community feedback, policy, and code recommendations.

5. Review and Adoption: A formal review and public hearings processes will allow the HAP to be adopted by the grant-mandated deadline of June 2023.

Who is representing the community in this effort?

1. Housing Policy Advisory Group
2. Surveys
3. Interviews with People
4. Community Open House
5. YOU: The most important representative is you. This is an important document for housing in Duvall and cannot be completed without your voice.

How does the HAP impact future city planning?

The HAP provides a structure for updating the housing element of the comprehensive plan. Additionally, the HAP recommends actions and strategies around addressing the city's housing needs.

What are other cities doing for their HAPs?

Numerous cities received this grant funding; a complete list of these municipalities can be found on the Washington State Department of Commerce Planning for Housing website.

What is affordable housing?

Affordable housing refers to households spending less than 30% of the total household income on housing. Housing includes costs like rent, mortgage, insurance, and utilities. The Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) defines affordable housing as:

(2) “Affordable housing” means, unless the context indicates otherwise, residential housing whose monthly costs, including utilities other than telephone, do not exceed thirty percent of the monthly income of a household:

(a) For rental housing, households whose income is 60% of the median household income adjusted for household size for the county where the home is located, as reported by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; or

(b) For owner-occupied housing, households whose income is 80% of the median household income adjusted for household size for the county where the home is located, as the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development reported.

Will the HAP force Duvall to meet quotas for housing, Section 8, rent control, or to build low-income housing?

The grant requirements and the HAP do not establish mandates. Rather the HAP provides policy recommendations. Per the GMA, the City is required to ensure sufficient land to meet population targets set by the state. These requirements are independent of the HAP.

Will the HAP address the cost of housing?

The HAP will provide policy recommendations that may indirectly address housing costs. These recommendations may influence how and what kind of housing is built.