Affordable Housing Week 2026 opened with a compelling keynote from UW Associate Professor Gregg Colburn. He challenged the popular view of "subsidized housing," noting that homeowners are actually the most subsidized group in the country through the mortgage interest tax deduction. 

42 million people live below the Federal poverty line. While 80 million people receive Medicaid and nearly everyone in poverty receives food assistance (SNAP), federal housing support reaches only one-fourth of those who qualify—and often only through a years-long waiting list or lottery. 

Colburn described a "recipe for a housing crisis": over the last five decades, inflation-adjusted incomes for renters have dropped by 12–13%, while rents have climbed by 18% due to the production of housing failing to keep up with the need. This explains why affordability is now also straining the middle class, making it a front-page political priority. 

Since 2007, the availability of homes for those at 50% Area Median Income (AMI) has plummeted from nearly 70 units per 100 households to just over 40. Furthermore, a recent dip in building permits, driven in part by high interest rates, threatens to increase the housing supply gap in 2028 and 2029, which, unless population declines, will cause rents to spike. 

To solve this, we must look beyond traditional methods. Colburn noted that construction is the least innovative sector of our economy. He called for a shift in how we build and urged the region to seize a "once in a 100-year opportunity" to build dense housing around transit investments. To fill housing supply needs, he said, we need to see 10,000 units around each station area, rather than just 1000. 

In the US, Federal level investment in housing falls far below international standards, leaving the problem to states and local governments. 

Colburn was followed by panels of local and state electeds, which included many Eastside leaders, including Rep. Davina Durr, Bothell Mayor Mason Thompson, Rep. Janice Zahn, and Bellevue Councilmember Vishal Bhargava, who spoke about their efforts to make housing easier to access in King County. 

Bhargava noted the "mismatch" between jobs and homes, noting that 95% of Bellevue’s workforce lives elsewhere. Burien Deputy Mayor Hugo Garcia shared a personal perspective on how this crisis displaces families, forcing relatives to live hours apart and missing out on daily connections. Leaders agreed that corrective public policy is the only way to undo these historic harms, pointing to a potential first-ever King-County-wide housing levy as a vital next step. 

The local leaders emphasized the complexity and deep historical roots of the housing problem, (citing books such as The Color of Law), and the importance of working persistently and as part of broad coalitions across the region on these problems, working for both abundance and for solutions to displacement. All of them agreed that there is momentum, but much remains to work on.

Mark your calendars! Liveable Kirkland is a proud sponsor of this year’s Juneteenth Celebration organized by Eastside for All in Kirkland. At the event you’ll be able to learn about the significance of Juneteenth, enjoy live music and dance performances, eat delicious food, shop from Black-owned businesses, and connect with community organizations.

When: Saturday, June 13th 12 - 4p

Where: Juanita High School

If you’re interested in helping volunteer you can sign up here!

One of our Liveable Kirkland members is helping out with the Fourth of July parade this year and asked if we could help spread the word that they’re looking for volunteers. Volunteers are needed both on the day of the event, as well as July 2nd and 3rd to set up street decor. If this sounds like a fun way to get involved with our community, check out the city’s list of volunteer positions and sign up to volunteer here! You can also find more info on the city’s website.

Check-in: Affordability Requirements in Low Density Zones

Staff presented their analysis of possible modifications to the new affordable housing requirement in low density zones, and compared it to what neighboring cities have implemented. This requirement was adopted by Ordinance last year, but it does not take effect until January 1st, 2027 to allow developers time to adapt. The Ordinance also required staff to come back with alternatives before the effective date. Staff recommended keeping the size exemption at 2,000 sq ft, as virtually all current middle housing units are below that size. The intent would be to incentivize smaller, more affordable units rather than single family homes.

During discussion, Councilmembers highlighted that the city has seen hardly any duplex/triplex projects in low density zones, and no townhomes. There was interest in seeing townhomes or similar in low density zones, and it was acknowledged that many townhomes can be about 2,500 sq ft. This is larger than a typical middle housing unit, but more affordable than most new single family homes in Kirkland.

Councilmember Tymczyszyn moved to have Staff bring back a code amendment that increases the exemption for the affordable housing requirement up to 2,500 sq ft (from 2,000 sq ft). The motion passed 4 - 3, with Councilmembers Tymczyszyn, Prem, Falcone and Pascal voting in favor.

The Council will have to vote on this code amendment at a future meeting. The schedule for this has not been published yet.

Boards and Commissions Candidates

The City Council approved the list of candidates, with one addition described below. Each candidate will be interviewed by the entire City Council in special meetings on June 2nd and June 9th, after which the City Council will pick which candidates to appoint.

During discussion, Councilmember Pascal moved to add Ken Oberman to the list of Planning Commission candidates, and Sushmita Srikant to the list of Cultural Arts Commission candidates. 

Councilmember Pascal noted that Ken Oberman completed the Kirkland Initiative program and has business experience, equating that to Commissioner Rozmyn having business experience. Councilmember Arnold pointed out that Commissioner Rozmyn has business experience as a builder specifically, which Oberman does not. Arnold stated that there were no candidates who had professional experience as builders/developers. Ken Oberman ran for Councilmember Arnold’s City Council seat in 2025, with the support of the King County Republican Party.

Councilmember Pascal noted that Srikant had also completed the Kirkland Initiative, and that there were only 2 candidates selected for the Cultural Arts Commission vacancy. Srikant also gave a comment during Items From the Audience during the meeting.

The motion to add Ken Oberman as a candidate failed 5 - 2, with Councilmembers Tymczyszyn and Pascal voting in favor.

The motion to add Sushmita Srikant as a candidate passed 4 - 3, with Councilmembers Tymczyszyn, Prem, and Pascal, and Deputy Mayor Black voting in favor.

Economic Competitiveness Study & Minimum Wage LRM Response

Responding to Council Member Falcone and Tymczyszyn’s Legislative Request Memo (LRM) asking for a process to raise the minimum wage, staff presented a few options including: no action, lobbying at the state level, a literature review, or a literature review and outreach to Kirkland’s businesses. After some discussion the council directed staff to proceed with a review of the literature and peer cities’ experiences. This review will be included in the study of Kirkland’s economic competitiveness at an additional cost of between $7.5k and $15k. The review is intended to be completed in time for informing decisions as part of Kirkland’s budget process this year.

May 29th City Council Retreat

The City Council will have an additional meeting on May 29th. This meeting is scheduled as a Retreat, which means that while the public are welcome to attend, it will not be recorded or broadcast. Retreats are used to have more informal and free-flowing discussions. No votes will be taken, but Staff will share information and get feedback from the Council.

The Agenda for the Retreat is:

The Planning Commission’s next meeting on May 28th will be a Retreat, meaning that it is a more informal discussion between Commissioners and Staff. It will still be open to the public and held at City Hall, but it will not be livestreamed or recorded. No votes will take place during the retreat.

The main topic of discussion is the 2026 items on the Planning Work Program, such as the Middle Housing Optimization project and SB 6026 compliance. Planning Commissioners have expressed a desire to discuss these items without having to worry about running into Open Public Meetings Act limitations. 

Washington law restricts how many members of a government body can discuss a given business item outside of public meetings, with the aim of ensuring that the public can view the decision-making process.

Join Liveable Kirkland in a conversation about our city’s present and future! We have an active community on Discord and Facebook and we’d love it if you joined in too : )

(And if you add a picture you took to #photos on Discord it might get featured in next week’s issue!)