HOUSING FOR
BELLINGHAM
Understanding Bellingham's Housing Crisis
The cost of homeownership is unattainable for working class people. As a city we face a series of challenges to correct course and protect the future of our economy and the viability of our local communities.
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Housing for Bellingham examines Bellingham’s housing policies, providing resources to help inform our community about local planning decisions.
Housing availability impacts the health of a community's economic and social wellbeing.
Building in Bellingham has not kept up with the demand for housing. When the demand for housing outpaces supply, housing prices rise, making it harder for employers to retain talent and attract new talent, impacting economic development.
Lack of housing also contributes to an increase in homelessness. According to Greg Colburn, a professor at the University of Washington, homelessness is a housing problem. His research points to statistics that show when rental vacancy rates are low, homeless numbers increase.
The City of Bellingham is currently dealing with a significant homeless issue. The City estimates there are 742 people homeless on any given night. We can help address this issue by not only building more homes, but also by increasing housing diversity.
