Candidate urges Poulsbo to track primary vs. secondary home ownership and prioritize first‑time buyers

During the public‑comment period at the Oct. 15 Poulsbo City Council meeting, resident and declared council candidate Michael Fitzpatrick asked the city to collect data on the number of homes that are primary residences versus secondary/vacation properties.

Fitzpatrick said that while canvassing he had encountered houses where neighbors told him the properties are only occupied 40–50 days a year and are otherwise unoccupied and not rented. “These are houses purchased by affluent people who live in other cities or other states and who use these homes 40, maybe 50 days out of the year as vacation homes… Meanwhile, there are people who work here in the city who cannot buy their first home,” Fitzpatrick said.

He asked staff whether data exist showing primary versus secondary residence status and whether secondary residences are rented out. “If we do not have this data, could we procure it?” he asked. Fitzpatrick urged the council to consider policies at municipal, county and state levels that would give first‑time homebuyers an advantage in the market over buyers purchasing multiple residences. He closed his remarks with a simple appeal: “No seconds until everyone has had firsts, please.”

Staff did not announce immediate new data‑collection work at the meeting; the comment was entered into the public record for council and staff consideration.

Why it matters: Rising home prices and the use of properties as seasonal or investment homes are issues many Washington communities face. Fitzpatrick framed the concern as an affordability and community‑stability issue and asked the city to explore whether local data could help guide policy choices.

Next steps: The council did not vote on immediate policy in response to the comment; staff may investigate data availability and report back if directed by the council.