Housing Update

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Dear Community Member,

The City of Spokane has had a record number of permits during the past three years and broke four residential building records in 2023 alone.

Those records include:

• total residential units permitted in a year
• multi-family units permitted in a year (not including conversions)
• total residential units permitted in a month
• multi-family units permitted in a month

Read more about Spokane’s recent permitting and how the Building Opportunity and Choices for All interim ordinance helped increase housing supply. 

Need Middle Housing Support?

The Middle Housing Support Team assists homeowners and small developers in navigating the development process to create Middle Housing on infill lots. Middle Housing projects can oftentimes trigger a variety of requirements from various City departments. We are here to help you navigate this process to help make your project a success. 

Are you or someone you know looking to purchase a home but the cash downpayment is a significant hurdle?

The Washington State Housing Finance Commission provides a range of downpayment assistance programs to reduce this barrier and increase homeownership opportunities. Follow the links below for more details.

Home Advantage DPA (read more)

• Second mortage loan program providing 3%, 4%, or 5% of the total loan amount
• 0% interest rate on loan
• Eligibility: must not exceed income of $180,000

Home Advantage DPA Needs Based (read more)

• Second mortage loan program providing up to $10,000 in downpayment assistance
• 1% interest rate on loan
• Eligibility: must not exceed income of $114,600

Opportunity DPA (read more)

• Second mortgage loan program providing up to $15,000 in downpayment assistance
• 1% interest rate on loan
• Eligibility: must not exceed income of $59,150 for 1-2 person households, $73,900 for 3+ person households

Veterans (read more)

• Second mortgage loan program providing up to $10,000 in downpayment assistance
• 3% interest rate on loan
• Eligbility: must not exceed income of $114,600, be a first-time homebuyer or buying in a targeted area, and be a person receiving an honorable discharge or discharge for medical reasons with an honorable record, be a member or honorably discharged former member of the Washington National Guard and Reserve, or be a never remarried spouse or dependent child of a deceased Veteran

HomeChoice (read more)

• Second mortgage loan program providing up to $15,000 in downpayment assistance
• 1% interest rate on loan
• Eligibility: must not exceed income of $114,600 and be a household with a disabled family member 

City of Spokane

Plan Commission

Meeting Schedule

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

WHAT HAPPENED?

• February 14, Public Workshop – Plan Commission heard a presentation on the Six-Year Street Plan, as well as housing allocation and growth as part of the 2026 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update [watch 2.14.24 recording]
• February 28, Public Workshop – Plan Commission discussed Plan Commission Rules of Procedure and hears presentation on proposed Paper Cuts code amendments [watch 2.28.24 recording]

WHAT'S NEXT?

• Wednesday, March 13, Public Workshop – Plan Commission will hear presentations on the Comprehensive Plan Amendment Work Plan, South Logan TOD Implementation, and DivisionConnects/STA 2035 Plan.

We want your feedback!

Provide written comment in email to [email protected]. 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, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday | 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday | 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

• In person - 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd - 3rd Floor of City Hall (Office closed Wednesday mornings from 8-11 a.m. through the near future to allow staff to focus on permit load and reduce wait times. Calls will be forwarded to voice mail during this time.)
• Online - Skip a trip to City Hall with online permitting, an email to [email protected] or Electronic Document Review
• Phone - A representative can assist you at 509.625.6300

You are receiving this email because you signed up via the Spokane Housing Action Plan website, have been identified as an individual or stakeholder in the discussion, or expressed interest in receiving planning project updates from the City of Spokane. Please feel free to share this email with others who are interested in receiving email announcements about this project. To unsubscribe, please email [email protected].