Bellingham Washington Permanently Affordable Housing Ordinance

In November 2004, the City of Bellingham, Washington, passed an innovative ordinance, creating a "permanently affordable housing" demonstration project. Through this ordinance, density of up to 50% of the otherwise allowed density will be granted if 100% of the dwelling units created are preserved as "permanently affordable", through the use of a ground lease. It is possible that this one-year demonstration project, if successful, can be extended for a longer duration.

Kudos to the folks at Kulshan CLT - and the elected officials - in Bellingham for this exciting, precedent-setting policy.

Click here to download a copy of Bellingham's 2004 ordinance