The Eastside cities are facing a severe housing shortage, making it difficult for households to find an affordable place to live.
High rents and home prices are pushing low-income families beyond their means, forcing many to forgo other necessities to stay in their home.
Faith-based organizations can act as key partners in addressing the Eastside's affordable home shortage.
With developable land being a major challenge for building new affordable homes, many religious landowners on the Eastside are actively exploring opportunities to develop affordable housing on their properties.
But historically, land use regulations have limited the ability of faith-based organizations to fully act on their values. In order to support affordable home construction, land must be zoned for multifamily housing.
Recognizing this regulatory barrier, the Washington State Legislature enacted RCW 35A.63.300 in 2019. This legislation requires cities to provide density bonuses for affordable homes developed on properties owned by religious organizations, creating new opportunities for faith communities to meaningfully address local housing needs.
Bellevue has led the way by adopting the C-1 zoning overlay district, allowing religious organizations to develop more affordable homes in designated residential areas. This approach not only sets an example for other Eastside cities but also underscores the potential for local faith communities to play a greater role in solving the housing crisis.
In Bellevue, religious-owned properties are eligible for the C-1 density bonus policy if they meet the following criteria...
*Additional criteria may apply. See policy for full eligibility details.
The property is located in a single-family residential district.
The property is located within 500 feet of a multifamily or commercial district.
The property is situated on an arterial street or meets one of the following criteria for transit accessibility:
- Within 1/2 mile of a transit stop with service at least every 15 minutes on average for 12+ hours per day.
- Within 1/4 mile of a transit stop with service at least every 30 minutes on average for 12+ hours per day.
- Within 1/2 mile of a future light rail or bus rapid transit station scheduled to be in service within 2 years.
After applying these criteria, 36 parcels qualified for the C-1 density bonus out of the roughly 72 religious-owned parcels in Bellevue. This map shows which parcels are eligible, not eligible, or located outside of single-family residential zones and thus subject to different density allowances.
By adopting Bellevue's faith-based density bonus model, Eastside jurisdictions could enable 5,500-9,000 affordable homes. Over 200 additional religious-owned parcels across the Eastside would be eligible for upzoning, based on HR&A's analysis of parcels between 1-10 acres, with potential for 15-25 units per acre. These density bonuses and streamlined zoning would create affordable housing near schools, parks, and transit, improving access to essential services and community resources.
But policy adjustments are needed to maximize affordable housing in other cities. While Bellevue's C-1 policy covers nearly half of the city's faith-based parcels, the same criteria would include only about 25% in other Eastside communities, where religious land is less concentrated near multifamily and commercial districts. Modifying buffer distances or prioritizing density near transit could greatly expand affordable housing opportunities on religious properties.
Explore Potential Sites for Affordable Housing Development
Use our interactive map to identify religious properties that could benefit from density bonuses and provide affordable homes that increase access to opportunity.
Brought to you by HR&A Advisors, Digital Products Labs.