📋 City Council Regular Meeting
Community Development Advisory Board
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Meeting Summary
The Community Development Advisory Board held a comprehensive February meeting featuring two major presentations and key administrative decisions that will shape housing policy implementation in Bellingham. The meeting opened with leadership transitions as Shannon Laws was elected as the new board chair and Matt Unger as vice chair, following the outgoing chair's announcement of stepping down from the board.
Northwest Youth Services Director Addison Osley provided an in-depth briefing on their Transitional Living Program (TLP), which receives partial city funding and currently operates 11 beds across Whatcom County for homeless young adults aged 18-24. The program faces a significant challenge with the loss of one two-bedroom unit in the Meridian neighborhood due to property management changes, highlighting ongoing difficulties in securing affordable housing partnerships.
The centerpiece presentation came from City planning staff Sydney Prusak and Elizabeth Erickson, who delivered a detailed overview of the Bellingham Plan (comprehensive plan) update process. This 20-year visioning document, required by state Growth Management Act, must accommodate projected growth to 130,000 residents by 2045 and incorporate recent state housing legislation including House Bill 1110, which allows up to four units per lot in residential zones. The plan introduces new chapters on community well-being and civic practices while strengthening policies around affordable housing incentives, anti-displacement measures, and equitable distribution of housing services.
The meeting concluded with preparation for the upcoming funding allocation process, with staff explaining the review procedures for $17.6 million in funding applications across housing and social services programs. This represents the board's primary annual responsibility - implementing the city's Consolidated Plan goals through strategic funding recommendations.
Study Guide
## MODULE S1: STUDY GUIDE
**Meeting ID:** BEL-CDA-2025-02-13
### Meeting Overview
The Bellingham Community Development Advisory Board met in the Mayor's Boardroom on February 13, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The meeting focused on housing program updates and the city's comprehensive planning process, with presentations from Northwest Youth Services on their transitional living program and city planners on the Bellingham Plan update.
### Key Terms and Concepts
**Transitional Living Program (TLP):** A 540-day (18-month) supportive housing program for homeless young adults ages 18-24, providing fully furnished units with care coordinators and wraparound services.
**Comprehensive Plan:** A 20-year planning document required by Washington State's Growth Management Act that guides how cities accommodate population growth and development. Bellingham calls theirs "The Bellingham Plan."
**Growth Management Act (GMA):** Washington State law requiring cities to plan for growth through comprehensive plans updated every 10 years, with goals including housing, transportation, and reducing sprawl.
**Middle Housing:** Housing types between single-family homes and large apartments, such as duplexes, townhomes, and cottage housing. State law now allows up to 4 units per lot in residential zones.
**Consolidated Plan:** A federal requirement outlining how cities will use Community Development Block Grant and other HUD funding over five years to address housing and community development needs.
**Community Development Advisory Board (CDAB):** The citizen board that reviews applications for federal housing and community development funds and makes funding recommendations to the City Council.
**Anti-displacement:** Policies and strategies designed to prevent existing residents from being forced to move due to rising housing costs or neighborhood changes.
**Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing:** Rental housing that is affordable to lower-income households without income restrictions, typically due to age, condition, or location of the property.
### Key People at This Meeting
| Name | Role / Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Matt Unger | CDAB Member, Ward 3 Representative |
| Shannon Laws | CDAB Member, Community Representative |
| Addison Osley | Director of Whatcom Housing, Northwest Youth Services |
| Samuel Lutz | City of Bellingham Housing and Services Program Manager |
| Andrew Calkins | Executive Director, Bellingham/Whatcom County Housing Authority |
| Catherine Freyman | CDAB Member, Columbia Neighborhood/Citywide Rep |
| Cara Jones | CDAB Member, Sunnyland Neighborhood Representative |
| Deidra Prado | CDAB Member at Large (remote) |
| Ryan Wood | CDAB Member, Happy Valley Representative (remote) |
| Ben Spicer | CDAB Member, Happy Valley Representative |
| Sydney Prusak | City Long Range Planner |
| Elizabeth Erickson | Project Manager, Bellingham Plan |
### Background Context
The Community Development Advisory Board oversees federal funding for housing and community services, with $17.6 million in applications submitted for the current funding cycle. This represents a significant increase from previous years, highlighting growing community needs as Bellingham faces a housing affordability crisis. Meanwhile, the city is updating its comprehensive plan for the first time since 2016, responding to new state housing laws that require allowing more dense housing types in previously single-family neighborhoods. The timing is critical as federal housing policy uncertainty creates additional challenges for long-term planning and funding commitments.
### What Happened — The Short Version
Board members elected Shannon Laws as the new chair and Matt Unger as vice chair. Addison Osley from Northwest Youth Services presented their transitional living program, which provides 540-day housing placements for young adults ages 18-24 in 11 units across Bellingham and Ferndale. The program includes care coordinators, furnished units, and wraparound services, though they're losing one unit due to a lease non-renewal. City planners Sydney Prusak and Elizabeth Erickson presented the Bellingham Plan update, explaining new state housing requirements and proposed policies around affordable housing, anti-displacement, and community well-being. They outlined the public engagement process and timeline for City Council adoption by year-end. Staff explained the upcoming funding application review process, with $17.6 million requested across various housing and social service programs.
### What to Watch Next
- March CDAB meeting will include a public hearing on the proposed action plan for federal funding allocations
- April CDAB meeting will finalize funding recommendations for $17.6 million in applications
- Bellingham Plan chapters continue rolling out for public comment through spring, with City Council adoption expected by December 2025
- State housing law implementations requiring zoning code updates by mid-2026
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