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 successes of the 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 these goals, recognizing that regulatory reforms alone are insufficient to meet the needs of Bellevue’s lowest-income households.
In addition to the AHS, Bellevue has made strides in diversifying housing options. In July 2025, the City Council approved updates to housing rules, allowing for ‘middle housing’—such as duplexes, cottage courts, and small apartment buildings—in neighborhoods previously zoned exclusively for single-family homes. This change aligns with state legislation and aims to address the region’s housing shortage by increasing the variety of housing types available.
These initiatives reflect Bellevue’s commitment to creating a community where individuals and families of all income levels can live, work, and thrive. By focusing on comprehensive strategies and inclusive housing policies, the city is working to ensure that housing affordability remains a priority for the foreseeable future.