Bellingham Mayor Tim Douglas and Whatcom County Executive Pete Kremen announced today the appointment of thirteen members to the new Countywide Housing Affordability Taskforce. They hope to host a first meeting of members within the next two weeks.
The newly created taskforce is charged with analyzing countywide housing
dynamics and, in collaboration with stakeholders, industry experts and the
public, recommend regional strategies to increase the supply of affordable
housing in our community.
Kremen said collaboration is essential to making real progress on housing
affordability issues.
"The rising costs of housing, and the growing portion of our population that cannot afford adequate housing, is an urgent issue facing our community," he said. "The complexity of the issue, and the strong feelings that surround potential solutions, require that we all work together to make meaningful progress."
Douglas said he and Executive Kremen chose taskforce members jointly.
"Members we chose are broadly reflective of many people in our community who want to increase the supply of affordable housing in our region. We included people who are in mortgage lending, real estate, construction and development, people who serve and advocate for lower income residents and others who share interests in our community's overall well-being."
He added that many people were interested in being appointed, and the group selected will be asked to reach out and engage others in this effort.
Douglas emphasized the group will look for short-term solutions to meet today's needs, as well as develop long-range strategies based on growth projections through 2022.
"This is not a nameless, faceless problem," Douglas said. "Your favorite waitress or barista, home health care workers, assistants at senior assisted living facilities, farm workers, artists who show work in our galleries and many other neighbors cannot afford adequate housing in our community."
Douglas said the taskforce will work with city and county staff, review successful programs already underway in our community and elsewhere, examine existing and new data, and recommend policies for implementation by the city and county councils. Both legislative bodies have placed a priority on addressing housing affordability and are jointly funding this effort. Whatcom County Council member Seth Fleetwood and Bellingham City Council member Joan Beardsley will chair the taskforce.
Kremen said a key goal is for people to be able to afford to live near their work. "This is a central element in city and county comprehensive plans and an important common objective shared by both city and county officials," he said.
Douglas and Kremen said housing affordability is one of several priority issues the two top executives have agreed to tackle together in 2007. Others include Lake Whatcom water quality and planning for capital projects and traffic circulation in the downtown civic center.
Members selected by Douglas and Kremen for the taskforce are:
Posted: Dec 14, 2006
