Bellevue is taking significant steps to address housing affordability, a pressing concern for many residents. The City Council recently advanced an updated Affordable Housing Strategy (AHS) for 2026-2032, building upon the successful 2017 plan. This ambitious strategy aims to produce and preserve over 5,700 affordable units for households earning between 0 and 80% of the area median income (AMI) over the next decade.
The updated AHS focuses on five core pillars: Affordable Housing, Housing Equity, Housing for Unique Needs, Housing Stability, and Housing Supply & Diversity. These pillars encompass 25 action areas, including accessible education, increased partnerships, and support for residents to maintain stable housing. Notably, the strategy emphasizes the importance of affordable housing revenue as a critical tool to achieve Bellevue’s goals, recognizing that regulatory reforms alone are insufficient to meet the needs of the city’s lowest-income households.
In addition to the AHS, Bellevue has implemented zoning changes to allow ‘middle housing’—such as duplexes, cottage courts, and small apartment buildings—in neighborhoods previously restricted to single-family homes. This move aligns with state mandates and aims to increase housing options to address the region’s housing shortage.
These initiatives reflect Bellevue’s commitment to creating a community where people of all income levels can live, work, and thrive. By focusing on diversity, innovation, and quality of life, the city is positioning itself as a leader in addressing housing affordability challenges.