2017-2037 Comp Plan Update Enabling Ordinance with Exhibit A

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Page 30 Number, Type and Distribution of Housing Units According to the 2017 Office of Financial Management estimates, Kittitas County has approximately 23,665 housing units. Most of the housing units (53%), are located within unincorporated areas. This represents a change from the 2000 census, when the majority of housing units were located within incorporated cities. The largest city, Ellensburg has 36% of the County’s housing units. Table 3-1 shows the distribution of housing units by city and unincorporated areas for 2000, 2010 and 2015, and the percent change in the housing distribution over the fifteen-year period. While this data suggests a shift in development trends over the last 15 years, it is important to note that the majority of unincorporated residential development is taking place within Urban Growth Areas (UGA) and other census designated places including Snoqualmie Pass, Easton, Ronald, Thorp, and Vantage 2. Availability of Utilities The majority of housing units located within unincorporated Kittitas County are not served by public water or sewer systems. The number and percent of housing units on private wells and septic tanks has surpassed those currently connected to city systems. The majority of existing housing units in Kittitas County are owner occupied single-family units. In 2015, approximately 58% of the County’s housing units were owner occupied. Existing Conditions According to the 2017 Kittitas County Homelessness and Affordable Housing Plan, nearly one-third of all housing units were built before 1970, many owned or occupied by elderly individuals or low-income families who struggle to afford repairs and upgrades. Of the occupied housing units in Kittitas County, 42.7% are renter occupied. 2 Kittitas Land Capacity Analysis, 2016 Table 3-1 Housing Unit Distribution and Percent Growth By Area Jurisdiction 2000 2010 2015 Percent Growth Kittitas County 16,475 21,900 23,084 40% Unincorporated Kittitas County 7,444 11,430 12,139 63% Incorporated Kittitas County 9,031 10,470 10,945 21% Cle Elum 956 1,105 1,098 15% Ellensburg 6,732 7,867 8,315 24% Kittitas 510 579 618 21% Roslyn 623 648 645 4% South Cle Elum 210 271 269 28% Source: Office of Financial Management, 2017