Bellingham has been moving swiftly to implement zoning reforms inspired by HB 1110 and accelerated by the mayor’s executive order. These changes aim to legalize more “missing middle” housing—duplexes, triplexes, courtyard apartments—to create new housing options across the city.
At a glance, it looks like progress. But scratch beneath the surface, and it becomes clear: more units don’t automatically mean more affordability.
A recent redevelopment project replaced a single-family home with three 3-bedroom rental units. On paper, that’s a win for supply. But each of those rentals is listed at $2,825/month—10.78% above Bellingham’s median rent for 3-bedroom homes, which already exceeds national averages. A family would need to earn over $101,000 a year to afford just one of these units.
We didn’t open doors to homeownership. We didn’t stabilize rent. We tripled profit potential for the property owner while leaving affordability behind.
The Housing Potluck Problem
Imagine Bellingham’s housing market as a community potluck. Everyone’s supposed to bring a dish, so we can all eat.
But in today’s reality, a few people show up with expensive hors d’oeuvres that look impressive—but barely feed anyone. Meanwhile, dozens of neighbors stand around with empty plates.
Yes, we’ve added more “food” to the table—but it’s boutique, exclusive, and priced for a select few. If we’re serious about solving the housing crisis, we have to stop counting plates and start counting who’s actually eating.
What’s Missing from the Table
Bellingham’s zoning reforms are a first step—but they’re incomplete without equity at the core.
We need:
Affordability requirements tied to new construction and zoning incentives
Pathways to homeownership for working families—not just more rental income for investors
Tenant protections to guard against displacement when redevelopment happens
Otherwise, we risk increasing supply while widening the gap between who can stay and who gets pushed out.
The Path Forward
Let’s anchor our housing strategy in three principles:
Smart Supply
Encourage missing middle housing, but tie it to income-based affordability targets.
Ownership Access
Use public land, zoning incentives, and tools like community land trusts to help everyday Bellingham residents purchase and stay in their homes.
Immediate Affordability
Prioritize building and preserving housing priced for households earning 0–80% of Area Median Income—the backbone of our community.
We don’t just need more housing. We need the right kind of housing, for the people who are already here.
In Part 2 of this series, I’ll explore the deeper realities renters face when they’re priced out of their homes—and why, even in a market with more vacancies, many people still can’t get back in. Stay tuned.