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.
Recognizing the multifaceted nature of the housing crisis, the strategy emphasizes the need for diverse solutions. Notably, it highlights the importance of affordable housing revenue as a critical tool to achieve Bellevue’s goals. While regulatory reforms and programmatic changes are essential, they alone are insufficient to bridge the gap for the city’s lowest-income households. Therefore, actions to reduce costs and timelines for the production and preservation of affordable housing are prioritized to maximize the impact of new revenue.
In addition to the AHS, Bellevue has implemented other measures to enhance housing affordability. The City Council approved updates to housing rules to comply with state laws, allowing for ‘middle housing’—such as duplexes, cottage courts, and small apartment buildings—in neighborhoods previously restricted to single-family homes. This change aims to increase housing options and address the region’s housing shortage.
Furthermore, the council has made significant funding allocations to support affordable housing development. In February 2026, the council advanced multiple housing funding recommendations, including the largest-ever funding allocation for affordable housing development in the city’s history.
These concerted efforts 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 continues to take bold action to ensure housing affordability for its residents.