SEQUIM — The city of Port Angeles was honored with a Live United award from the United Way of Clallam County at the United Way’s recent Live United Prom.
Deputy Mayor Navarra Carr accepted the award on behalf of the city, which was recognized for its efforts to overcome barriers to housing development and to foster more diverse and accessible housing types.
“Over the years, the city has implemented a number of bold strategies to address the housing crisis, and it’s exciting to see those efforts come to fruition,” Carr said. “I look forward to continuing our work to increase housing options in Port Angeles and remain at the forefront of housing policy in the region.”
Some of the measures that Port Angeles has implemented include:
• A comprehensive building permit fee waiver program for permit fees associated with a variety of affordable, infill and multifamily housing projects.
• A permit-ready plans program that provides free, pre-designed building and engineering plans, reducing the burden of cost and time during the plan development and permit review processes.
• Multi-family property tax exemptions for owners and developers for eight, 12 or 20 years to encourage new construction and rehabilitation of multi-family housing units.
• New improvement community enhancement grants that invest in infrastructure projects in areas with high development or redevelopment potential in order to stimulate growth and expand the potential tax base.
• Affordable housing sales tax and use grants to assist with the construction, procurement and stabilization of affordable housing and housing-related assistance programs to create new opportunities for sustainable housing support.
For more about information regarding these programs and initiatives, call the city’s Department of Community and Economic Development at 360-417-4750, email ced@cityofpa.us or visit www.cityofpa.us/housing.
