Laserfiche WebLink
Housing <br /> Ellensburg is experiencing a severe shortage of middle-and low-income housing. The shortage <br /> will impede Ellensburg's efforts to recruit new employers. In conjunction with the Ellensburg <br /> Comprehensive Plan Update, the city conducted a housing assessment study. This study found: <br /> ▪ the cost of rental housing is increasing >30%on housing, and over 1/3rd spend <br /> (17% between 2013 and 2016); >50%; <br /> • apartment vacancy rates are very low at • housing inventory and household size is <br /> 0.8% (healthy is 5.0%); not well matched; <br /> • many households are cost burdened • a silver tsunami is on the horizon; and <br /> with over 1/3 of households spending • there exist unique housing needs typical <br /> of a college town. <br /> In November 2017, Ellensburg voters passed a 1/10ths percent sales tax increase for affordable <br /> housing (Proposition 1).The City has developed three projects now underway. Builders face a <br /> construction workforce shortage, which also is slowing the pace of housing development. <br /> Posture Recommendation <br /> While increasing, the cost of housing in Seek opportunities to support housing in <br /> Ellensburg is still much lower than in target projects that also promote business <br /> communities of the Puget Sound area. The City development. Investigate opportunities <br /> has let contracts for affordable housing. Several the construction management program <br /> large apartment projects are nearing completion, at CWU may offer. <br /> OPPORTUNITIES <br /> Industry/sector cluster specializations. <br /> For Washington State Department of Commerce, Ellensburg could be known for its links to the <br /> clean technology and information technology sectors. More work is underway to further <br /> identify, then target, industry clusters or sectors on which to focus development efforts and <br /> resources. <br /> Posture Recommendation <br /> As a bedroom community to the Puget Sound, our Using data and other resources, <br /> focus should be self-directed rather than allowing further refine/define up to three <br /> our position to be externally dictated. Looking into sectors to target. Secure IPZ <br /> the future, key sectors to focus on might include designation. Engage Commerce, the <br /> aerospace, software development, and craft Governor's sector representatives, <br /> alcoholic beverages. and others. <br /> 5 <br />