Information

Type: Deliberation

Department: CM - County Manager (including Budget)

Directors' Update: Feb. 9, 2022

Business Meeting: Feb. 15, 2022

Summary:

This resolution adopts a Housing Initiative and Housing Work Plan to implement the 2020 Strategic Plan's directive to increase the availability and affordability of housing in Lewis County.  The Initiative sets forth objectives and metrics for success, and the Work Plan lists concrete, specific actions by which County staff will further those objectives and improve those metrics.  Maintaining the Initiative and Work Plan will be the responsibility of the County Manager and involve coordination of multiple county offices and departments.  The Work Plan will be updated at least annually, and the Initiative when prudent, to reflect progress.

Publications:

Cover Letter To:

Additional Copies To: Erik Martin, Becky Butler, JP Anderson, Meja Handlen, Justia Madrigal, Lee Napier, Mindy Brooks, Josh Metcalf, Dianne Dorey, Austin Majors

Resolution

WHEREAS, the Lewis County Strategic Plan, adopted in October 2020, identified Housing and Proactive Growth as a priority, focusing on the availability and affordability of rural- and urban-area housing and local government capacity and tools to facilitate housing growth; and

WHEREAS, home prices in Lewis County have more than doubled since 2012, drastically outstripping wage growth in that time, while homes available for sale have plummeted in number; and

WHEREAS, rent has also increased faster than wage growth, such that the fair market rent of a one-bedroom apartment now costs more per month than a two-bedroom in 2012; and

WHEREAS, this lack of market-rate housing is coupled with a shortage of subsidized housing and supportive services for low-income residents; and

WHEREAS, these challenges to the housing pipeline, by which community members find affordable housing and step up into permanent housing as their income improves, leave residents stuck waiting for suitable housing to be available; and

WHEREAS, all of Lewis County, at all income levels and levels of need, in rural and in urban areas, requires more housing options; and

WHEREAS, stable and affordable housing is an essential component of public health, vibrant economic development, community cohesion, and the pursuit of happiness; and

WHEREAS, a countywide housing initiative and work plan is needed to increase coordination and efforts of all local governments and the community at large, improve the availability and affordability of rural and urban housing, promote infrastructure and services to increase affordable housing stock, and seek meaningful improvement across all housing sectors.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Lewis County Housing Initiative, attached hereto as Exhibit A, is adopted as an implementation of the Lewis County Strategic Plan. County staff and departments are directed, and other county offices are encouraged, to carry out this initiative for the health and welfare of all county residents; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Lewis County Housing Initiative shall be implemented through a Housing Work Plan, attached hereto as Exhibit B, consisting of concrete, specific actions to be carried out by county staff in partnership with other local governments and community organizations. This Work Plan shall be periodically updated to reflect county work being undertaken to further the Housing Initiative and to improve lives and livelihoods in our community; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED maintaining the Housing Initiative and Work Plan shall be the responsibility of the County Manager and such other county staff as he designates. The County Manager shall update the Work Plan at least annually and the Initiative when prudent, and shall bring periodic progress to the attention of this Board.

DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 15th day of February, 2022.