Kitsap planning staff: county falls about 1,200 housing units short, gap concentrated under 50% area median income

Planning staff told the Kitsap County Planning Commission on March 18 that the county’s comprehensive plan shows a shortfall of roughly 1,200 housing units compared with regional housing targets and that most of that shortage is for households at 50% of area median income and below.

“Part of this bill is about also providing for moderate density options in our urban growth areas,” said Colin Poff, long range planning supervisor, describing requirements in what he called “House Bill 12 20” and changes to Growth Management Act implementation that now require jurisdictions to show how they will provide housing for a range of income levels.

Poff said the state and regional rules and forecasts inform county targets: the Office of Financial Management provides population forecasts, the Puget Sound Regional Council issues Vision 2050 guidance for the region, and the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council (KRCC) allocates housing targets among jurisdictions. Kitsap’s comprehensive plan uses a 20-year planning horizon and must…