Seattle’s growth strategy, coupled with proposed zoning changes, aims to improve housing affordability, increase family-sized housing options, and foster vibrant communities. Mayor Bruce Harrell recently shared updates on the One Seattle Comprehensive Plan, along with new zoning maps, building on the draft plan released earlier this spring for public input.
The plan seeks to expand the city’s housing capacity to 330,000 units, adopting a practical approach that allows for the introduction of diverse housing types in various locations. Mayor Harrell’s vision emphasizes affordability, larger housing units suitable for families, and the creation of livable neighborhoods. The information the mayor sent out about the plan is as follows:
Mayor Harrell’s initiative aims to more than double the city’s housing capacity, surpassing the growth targets outlined by the Growth Management Act while focusing on increasing the housing supply. Recognizing current cost challenges and projected growth, the plan emphasizes the need for additional housing to help lower costs and improve affordability.
An Affordable Housing Bonus is included, allowing for greater height and unit capacity for affordable housing projects located within a quarter-mile of frequent transit routes. This bonus would generally enable twelve units on a typical 5,000 square foot lot in Neighborhood Residential areas if at least 50% of the units are designated for low-income households.
To assist long-term residents in maintaining their communities, the proposal features a comprehensive anti-displacement strategy. This strategy prioritizes historically marginalized and vulnerable populations, including significant investments in community-driven development and the Equitable Development Initiative, robust renter protections, and new legislation aimed at preventing predatory homebuying.
Increasing the availability of middle housing is essential to meet the needs of current and future residents, providing family-sized units and enhancing homeownership opportunities near essential amenities such as parks and schools. Young adults, who represent about one-third of Seattle’s population, require more starter homes suitable for raising families.
The plan facilitates the construction of duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes across all Neighborhood Residential zones, implementing HB 1110—legislation passed by the Washington State Legislature last year that broadens the range of middle housing types. This change is expected to increase the capacity for middle housing from 16,000 to 94,000 units, representing a quarter of the overall housing capacity.
A unique Stacked Flat Incentive is also included in the proposal, designed to make the development of multifamily projects more feasible. Furthermore, the Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) program will be expanded in areas experiencing significant zoning capacity increases, including Neighborhood Centers, enhanced transit routes, and new areas integrated into existing urban and regional centers. The MHA program plays a crucial role in funding the city’s substantial investments in affordable housing.
At the heart of the mayor’s plan is a commitment to transit-oriented development, aiming to create livable communities with convenient access to amenities within walking, biking, or transit distance. The plan proposes targeted approaches to increase housing capacity based on the specific characteristics of Seattle’s neighborhoods.
The strategy includes increasing density along frequent transit routes to accommodate an additional 37,000 homes. It designates 30 Neighborhood Centers across the city—new zoning areas that promote increased housing near existing businesses and amenities, potentially adding 30,000 new homes in transit-friendly neighborhoods.
Additionally, a new Urban Center will be established at the forthcoming 130th Street Light Rail Station, and several urban center boundaries will be expanded to foster dense areas with diverse housing options, jobs, retail, and access to regional or local transit.
The proposal also encourages the establishment of corner stores in Neighborhood Residential areas, supporting small businesses and creating complete neighborhoods where residents can easily access daily necessities.
In his budget proposal for 2025-2026, Mayor Harrell announced funding for a supplemental environmental impact statement to identify new housing opportunities in regional and urban centers, areas already equipped to support dense, walkable communities. The updated plan also introduces revised tree planting requirements in Neighborhood Residential Zones, incentivizing the planting of larger tree species while waiving parking requirements to protect existing trees.
