Woodward: "We must continue to fill the gaps in Spokane's Housing Supply"

Following last week's announcement that Spokane REALTORS® has formally endorsed her re-election bid for 2023, Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward pledged to continue her efforts to provide more housing opportunities for Spokane.

In accepting this endorsement, Mayor Woodward responded in a written release saying “We have to continue to fill the gaps in Spokane’s housing supply. From multi-family complexes, to condos, apartments and single family homes, we must keep it cost effective to build in Spokane."

Spokane REALTORS® have formally announced the endorsement of Mayor Woodward and Spokane Council member Michael Cathcart in their re-election bids for 2023.

The choice by the Spokane REALTORS® Governmental Affairs committee came down to deciding which candidates offer the best chance for creating more housing opportunities for Spokane. Spokane REALTORS® see the lack of housing availability in this city to be among the top issues of our time.

"These two have been proven REALTOR® Champions," said Spokane REALTOR® President Tom Hormel. "Endorsing them for this election was an easy decision because of all they have done to create more housing opportunities in Spokane."

Woodward has been a REALTOR® Champion since here election in 2019. Earlier this year, Woodward declared a Housing Emergency in Spokane, saying “We are at a crossroads in our community and with this proclamation I am taking immediate action to address the critical housing needs in our city.” That action led to an immediate city ordinance allowing for greater housing choice options in Spokane.

In her statement, Mayor Woodward also pledged to keep working with us on better housing solutions. "I’m thankful for the Spokane Realtors endorsement," said Woodward, "and I'm excited to spend the next 4 years delivering more results to keep Spokane growing and affordable.”

Both Woodward and Cathcart have been advocates for housing policy such as creating more flexible zoning opportunities and housing types, limiting expensive hook-up fees, and enhancing the City Planning Department to better streamline projects. By our estimates, the City of Spokane is 25% under-built, meaning that one in four families is under housed.

The Governmental Affairs committee will be interviewing candidates for three open seats this election season, including Council President, Council member District 2 (South Hill) and Council District 3 (West Side). All three seats are open with the retirement or resignation of the current council.

The City of Spokane has proposed considering a "one-fee" concept for Water and Sewer hookups. Under its previous fee structure, owners would have to pay more for building a home in areas that are considered being located in an "upper zone," under the argument it costs more to pump water uphill.

Under the original proposal, a water hook-up along would cost aver $10,000 to build on the South Hill, versus about $2,800 near downtown. As part of Mayor Woodward's GFC committee, city staff introduced the "one-fee" concept where that cost would be around $4,800 per connection. GFC stands for General Facilities Charges that are often paid by homeowners before they can receive their occupancy permit.

The Mayor's committee was formed after the Spokane City Council agreed to reduce water and sewer hook up fees for one year. Under an emergency ordinance, the Council had raised the cost to between $20 and $25-thousand per housing unit. Builders, developers and Spokane REALTORS® testified about the serious damage this move would cause in the midst of a severe housing crisis. A poll released by Spokane REALTORS® and the Spokane Homebuilders Association revealed over 2,000 construction would immediately be shut down because of these high fees.

The GFC committee will make a recommendation to the Spokane Planning commission. After reviewing their recommendations, the fees go back to the Spokane City Council for approval.

The suit follows a ruling by the Ninth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals that says that energy policy decisions lie only with the Federal Government and cannot be preempted by State or Local regulations. In its decision, the Court ruled the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act expressly preempts state and local regulations concerning the energy use of many natural gas appliances. By preventing such appliances from using natural gas, the Berkeley building code violated the Act. Because Washington is under the jurisdiction of the 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals, a final decision on this issue binds this state as well as the parties to the case in California.