Lake Stevens planning commission continues debate on state-required "step housing" rules

The Lake Stevens Planning Commission on Monday continued a multiweek discussion about how the city should implement state law requiring localities to allow different types of "step housing," including emergency shelters, transitional housing and permanent supportive housing.

"Step housing is basically a continuum of housing ... for members of the community that are facing homelessness," David Levitan, the city’s principal planner, told commissioners as he reviewed state guidance and regional examples. Levitan said the discussion will inform code language, definitions and operational standards staff will draft for public review.

Why it matters: House Bill 12 20 (adopted in 2021), Levitan said, obliges cities to allow emergency shelters in zones that permit hotels and to allow transitional and permanent supportive housing in many residential and multifamily zones. The commission must translate that requirement into Lake Stevens municipal code sections (Levitan cited draft changes to the definition chapter, described in the packet as chapter 14 08) and decide what, if any, local restrictions on spacing, occupancy and operations are appropriate.

Key points from staff presentation

- Scope: Levitan summarized the three broad categories commonly called "step housing": emergency shelters (short-term), transitional housing (typically up to about two years) and permanent supportive housing (longer-term housing with wraparound services). He told the commission the city’s growth targets and comprehensive plan show a documented need for supportive units and said staff estimated “about…