Housing Update

Thursday, March 2, 2023

#HousingChoice

Dear Community Member,


Thank you for your continued interest in the City of Spokane’s housing initiatives. Planning staff is continuing work on Building Opportunity for Housing, as well as proposed Short Term Rentals code and process changes. Stay tuned for an upcoming pre-reviewed plan catalog and site plan handbook that will make Missing Middle Housing even easier to building in Spokane.


In case you missed Mayor Woodward’s 2023 State of the City address, here is a highlight about the current need for housing and the City’s efforts to address that need that was shared.

Video recording of Mayor Woodward's State of the City address.

When Providing Housing Increased National Security

Spokane experienced its second population boom in the 30s and 40s as its rail connections and growing industry lent itself well to wartime efforts. As the nation came together during World War II to support the front lines, thousands of workers in Spokane were part of that effort. Surprisingly, so were everyday homeowners.

READ MORE!

In Industry News


Congress for New Urbanism: Spokane streamlines ‘missing middle’ housing

Spokane, Washington, is moving forward with highly streamlined approvals for a catalog of “missing middle” building plans in response to rising housing costs. The city of 228,000 people, where home prices increased substantially in recent years, officially declared a “housing emergency” last summer. Read More

Have you taken the Building Opportunity for Housing survey?

The survey is available in seven languages and will help update the City’s vision for housing and future residential development changes.


Tell us about your housing journey

Cuéntenos sobre su vivienda

أخبرنا عن مكان سكنك.

Kwalok nan kem kin mweo imom

Hãy cho chúng tôi biết về nhà ở của bạn

Расскажите нам о вашем жилье

Sabihin sa amin ang tungkol sa iyong pabahay

In the Know ... Duplex vs. Townhouse vs. Condo

Did you know a building can look the same but actually contain drastically different housing types? The main difference between a duplex, a townhouse, and a condominium is how the structures are segmented into ownership.


A duplex is a building with two units all on one lot. Meaning, one person owns both units and the land. Typically, one or both of the units are a rental property. 

A townhome, or attached home, is a single-family home on its own lot. It is attached to one or more other townhomes, which are also on their own lot. In this case, each property owner owns the townhome and the land it is on, and each unit sells independent of its neighbors. 


Condominiums, or condos, are another housing type. In this case, someone owns the “air space” within their unit. However, they do not own the exterior of the building, the lot, or any shared spaces. Instead, there is typically a Homeowner’s Association established to own and care for those spaces. 



Plan Commission Information

City of Spokane

Plan Commission


Meeting Schedule

2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the Month in City Hall

WHAT HAPPENED?

  • Feb. 22 Workshop – Plan Commission heard an update on the Short-Term Rental code amendments, another focus of the Shaping Spokane Housing initiative. Watch the video recording here.



WHAT'S NEXT?

  • Wednesday, March 7: Plan Commission will tour the new STA City Line, expected to open in July of this year, at its workshop. No meeting at City Hall Briefing Center is planned. 
 Agenda Details

We want your feedback!


Provide written comment in email to DevelopmentCode@spokanecity.org. This email list will be notified regarding additional opportunities for participation.


Sign up for Shaping Spokane Housing email updates and announcements here.


Interested in requesting an outreach event? Email us!

Development Services Center is Open to Serve You!

Monday-Friday | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.


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