This year, Mayor Cassie Franklin and the Everett City Council have taken meaningful steps to make it easier to build housing, reduce costs, and create more housing options.

Some of Everett’s recent and upcoming efforts include:

• Pre-approved ADU designs to help homeowners get through permitting faster.
• AI-assisted permitting to modernize the permitting process and improve predictability.
• Expanding MFTE to make tax incentives available to more types of housing, including middle housing and smaller multifamily projects.
• Modernizing lot-splitting rules to make it easier to create housing on existing lots. The city is on track to adopt its new ordinance in October.
• Making city-owned surplus property available for housing.
• Reducing housing costs by cutting the affordable housing fee from $15 to $9 per square foot and reducing or waiving several ADU impact fees.
• Protecting existing housing through programs that support home repairs and preserve manufactured housing communities.
• Updating critical-area regulations while avoiding proposed expansions that could have added significant barriers to housing.

Taken together, these actions reflect the Mayor’s commitment to creating more housing options and improving the conditions needed to get homes built. The city has shown a willingness to take a hard look at its regulations, fees, and permitting procedures and make changes that can lower costs, improve predictability and support the housing production Everett needs.

These efforts build on Everett 2044, the city’s comprehensive plan, which creates capacity for future growth and more housing choices. Everett is showing that cities can pair that long-term vision with practical action today.

MBAKS appreciates Mayor Franklin, the Everett City Council, and city staff for their continued focus on housing and their willingness to work with the building community on practical solutions to make home happen.

As Mayor Franklin put it, the goal is to “use every tool in the toolbox” to make housing more attainable for Everett families.

MBAKS members: For a more detailed report out on Everett and other jurisdictions, check out MBAKS Connect for the latest updates from our Government Affairs team. 

Contact: data@mbaks.com

Puget Sound Region Sees Population Growth and Housing Demand

As of April 1, 2024, the Puget Sound region's population reached 4,483,900, reflecting an increase of 46,800 residents over the past year. This growth was primarily driven by King County, which added 30,300 people, followed by Snohomish County with 7,300, Pierce County with 6,300, and Kitsap County with 2,900 new residents.

This population surge underscores the urgent need for expanded housing options in the region. As more people move to Puget Sound, the demand for diverse and affordable housing solutions becomes increasingly critical.

READ THE FULL REPORT

By MBAKS Senior Policy Analyst Allison Butcher

Building Permits Up in Pierce County

Pierce County is experiencing an uptick in permit activity this year, unlike King and Snohomish counties where permits remain flat or down compared to the same period last year. Specifically, single family permits are up 17 percent in Pierce County, while multifamily permits are up 93 percent through September.

The Builders’ Bulletin is intended to provide a convenient way to track housing in our market and includes information from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, U.S. Census Bureau, Office of Financial Management and the Washington State Employment Security Department.

Download this month's report: