2017-2037 Comp Plan Update Enabling Ordinance with Exhibit A

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Chapter 3 HOUSING KITTITAS COUNTY Page 31 Comprehensive Plan Of the total housing units, 67% are one-unit housing units, 21% are two or more-unit housing units, and 12% are mobile homes or “specials” (defined as an entity that owns and/or manages one or more group quarter facilities). Development Trends While the number of housing units is increasing in both incorporated and unincorporated areas of Kittitas County, the number of unincorporated housing units has grown at a rate 42% faster than that of incorporated areas over the same period. If population growth in Kittitas County continues along the same pattern as it has since 2010, the majority of new housing units will be single-family homes in unincorporated areas. Changes in zoning designations and the provisions of water and sewer services in unincorporated areas has the potential to play a role in orienting future growth around selected areas. As discussed in a 2016 County commissioned study on future population growth (Population Projection Review and Analysis), these allotments are already anticipated to curtail rural residential development in the future as growth is bound to the availability of future water supplies. Tenure and Occupancy Rates According to 2017 Office of Financial Management (OFM), there are 23,665 housing units in Kittitas County. Of the identified housing units, 17,826 were occupied as of the 2016 American Community Survey projections. This suggests approximately 5,839 units were vacant within Kittitas County at the time of the survey. These vacant units include seasonal and recreational households, and units available for rent at the time of the survey. In some areas of the County such as Easton, Snoqualmie Pass and Swauk-Teanaway, seasonal and recreational units comprise a majority of the available housing stock. In total, seasonal and recreational units represent approximately 70% of vacant units within Kittitas County. Housing Ownership Of the occupied units, approximately 10,270 were occupied by the owner, while the remaining 7,556 were renter occupied. This represents a home ownership rate of 58%. This rate represents a marginal drop in home ownership over the last fifteen years. Efforts targeted at assisting first-time homebuyers and offering housing in various price ranges may work to reverse this trend. Central Washington University represents the largest generator of group housing quarters, as many students are housed on campus throughout the year. With the planned expansion of Central Washington University, affordable housing stock (especially in the Ellensburg area) is expected to become increasingly student (non- permanent resident) oriented. Supported Living Assisted living facilities and foster care facilities represent other forms of group living quarters that currently exist within Kittitas County. Persons in assisted living facilities include individuals with special needs, and those of aging populations. The portion of the County’s population which is over the age of 65 years increased by 704 people between 2010 and 2015. As this generation nears retirement, there will be a growing need for additional senior housing and assisted or supportive living units. Smaller housing units and