Housing committee reviews ABLE Housing, housing authority grants and ADU parking suggestions

The Anacortes Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee reported to the council on July 7 about ongoing local housing efforts including support letters for grant applications, a potential Connecting Housing to Infrastructure (CHIP) grant for the Olsen Building and a discussion about parking requirements for permanently affordable housing for disabled adults.

Council Member Walters, reporting for the committee, said the council previously issued letters of support for ABLE Housing and for the Anacortes Housing Authority; staff said the housing authority received a county grant from the 0.09 allocation dedicated to housing. ABLE Housing is pursuing construction of a small number of ADUs behind a property purchased by a member to create permanently affordable units for adults with disabilities.

ABLE Housing representatives suggested that residents in permanently affordable housing for disabled adults may not require parking spaces; committee members discussed whether the city should consider amending code to reduce or eliminate parking requirements for such units. The committee also heard a pitch from the Salvation Army seeking approximately $10,000 per year to operate a cold-weather shelter; committee members said $20,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) administrative funds will soon be freed up through revisions to the CDBG action plan.

Committee members discussed the possibility of the Anacortes Housing Authority applying for a Connecting Housing to Infrastructure (CHIP) grant to pay sewer, stormwater or impact fees or construct needed improvements for the Olsen Building; the city would need to be the applicant though the authority would prepare the grant materials if eligible. Committee members asked staff to continue coordination with ABLE Housing and the housing authority on grant opportunities and to consider code adjustments where appropriate.