Housing

Washington State and numerous local governments around the state have recognized that there are challenges in the housing market. Those challenges differ from community to community but they generally include housing affordability, housing availability, a lack of variety in housing types, and regulatory hurdles that prevent creative housing development solutions.

To address this challenge, the State adopted a bill intended to increase urban residential building capacity (E2SHB 1923) and allotted funds to encourage cities like Woodland to develop Housing Action Plans. This effort is in response to that bill and the funding awarded to the City to plan for housing.

Housing Action Plan

The City is working on a housing analysis so it can better prepare for the community's housing needs in the future. To accomplish this, staff is working on a Housing Action Plan that will involve several steps including:

Review existing housing stock as a way to assess current conditions
Review recent building trends to see how construction is affecting the market
Inventory vacant and under-developed land in the city
Review city codes for hurdles and barriers to residential development
Forecast for housing capacity (using the data above)
Propose solutions and code changes to address identified gaps in housing options and availability
Seek input from the community throughout the process (and during future planning efforts)

Housing Solutions

Recent planning conversations around the community have led staff to compile a list of code issues that the City could explore to create more opportunities for creative and affordable housing choices.

As part of this housing study, the City may consider changes in City code to allow the following housing options:

Infill project options (for small, medium and lots with odd shapes)
Accessory Dwelling Units (often called mother-in-law apartments)
Cottage developments (a shared parking area with paths to small homes dispersed around a central yard, garden, or open space feature)
Courtyard apartments (apartments facing a central yard or open space feature)
Tiny homes (small or micro-units built on-site or on trailers/bases…aka “park units”)
Duplex structures (on larger corner lots so that there is one driveway on each street)
Tri-plex/Four-plexes (fitting more units on a lot)
Cluster developments (small lots around an open space or averaged lot sizes to allow for variety)
Short plats up to 9 lots (making city laws match state rules)

Housing Outcomes

Benefits of this grant-funded housing study may include:

Increased housing options for young adults and elderly in our community
Development of smaller, more efficient homes with reduced utility rates
Reduced permitting barriers to ADUs, duplexes and other housing options
Solutions for specific housing concerns identified during the public participation process

Public Participation

We invite your input during this housing study. Please check back here for surveys, upcoming meetings, and other ways to join the conversation.

Woodland HAP Public Participation Plan
Nov 19: Planning Commission Meeting, Housing Action Plan Workshop
- Powerpoint Presentation
Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments Housing Needs Assessment Survey

The expected calendar of events for this effort is as follows: