Updated: The Peoples Right To Know

 

Open Government:  The Peoples Right To Know

Redmond has three local governments:  The City of Redmond, Lake Washington School District and EvergreenHealth Public Hospital.  We have a "right to know" information about their inner workings.  Public Record Request forms usually find the information you need.  When you don't get good information you may feel like the bearded guy in the cartoon. 

Below, are helpful links to the Public Record Request forms for each government.  From my investigative reporting, I have some good experience with them.  In my opinion, Redmond is the most professional, EvergreenHealth a close second, with LWSD at the rear.      

City of Redmond:  

https://www.redmond.gov/1264/Search-Results?q=public+records

EvergreenHealth:

https://www.evergreenhealth.com/site-search/?term=public+records

Lake Washington School District: 

https://www.lwsd.org/search-results?q=Public+Records

-- Bob Yoder. opinion, 4/25/2024

Redmond Technology Bridge Opens, Ribbon Cutting

 

From left to right: Redmond City Council Vice President Jessica Forsythe, Redmond City Councilmember Melissa Stuart, Former Redmond Mayor John Marchione, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Microsoft Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Vice President Alice Jolla, Redmond Mayor Angela Birney, Redmond City Council President Vanessa Kritzer, Redmond City Councilmember Osman Salahuddin, and King County Councilmember and Sound Transit Board Member Claudia Balducci.

New Redmond Technology Station Bridge Opens

REDMOND, WA - This morning, the City of Redmond, Sound Transit, and Microsoft celebrated the opening of the new Redmond Technology Station Bridge with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The bridge connects to Sound Transit’s Redmond Technology light rail station, the SR 520 transit flyer stop, a regional bike trail, and Microsoft’s west and east campuses. It also provides an east-west trail connection across SR 520, that will alleviate traffic congestion, enhance safety, and improve accessibility for thousands of residents and commuters daily.

“This bridge will be a great benefit to the community and connect us in a number of sustainable ways, with lanes for those who want to walk and ride their bikes,” said Redmond Mayor Angela Birney. “It is thanks to our partnerships with Microsoft, Sound Transit, and WSDOT, that we have this new, not only functional, but beautiful connection to enjoy.”

The design of the bridge is the result of meticulous and innovative planning, as well as the unique efforts between Sound Transit, City of Redmond, and Microsoft. The bridge was designed by AECOM and engineered by Kiewit Engineering Group, Inc., and features functional canopies, landscaped planters with native plants, and benches to enhance the user experience.

“The Redmond Technology Station will be a hub for transit passengers and Microsoft workers throughout the Eastside,” said King County Executive and Sound Transit Board Chair Dow Constantine. “Thanks to the collaboration of our project partners, we’re expanding transit for a more connected Puget Sound region.”

"With light rail service only days away, opening this bike and pedestrian bridge will safely connect transit passengers from the Redmond Technology Station to Microsoft, the SR 520 Trail, and more, providing yet another link to our growing light rail system,” said King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci. “This connection is the result of years-long collaboration between Sound Transit, WSDOT, Microsoft, and the City of Redmond and is an integral piece of building an interconnected transit system that makes multimodal travel easy, safe, and seamless.” 

“Today’s grand opening is an important milestone in the effort to create a multimodal transportation system that supports the region's economy and quality of life,” said Alice Jolla, chief accounting officer and corporate vice president at Microsoft. “This bridge is a symbol of Microsoft’s commitment to our local community, and we’re grateful for the collaboration with the City of Redmond, Sound Transit, and Washington State Department of Transportation.”

The bridge opening aligns with opening week of the initial segment of the 2 Line, with those celebrations planned for Saturday, April 27. For more information about the light rail opening visit soundtransit.org/Discover2Line.

City Dog Park Opens On Education Hill

 

Zoey getting ready to enter the small dog side

The new Redmond Pop-Up dog park is located behind the Hartman pool and high school baseball field.  Follow the signs on 104th for limited parking; it's easily walkable.  

We talked to Parks staff when it was under construction.  Brett Barker 😀 said it will be closed late August to make room for the high school cross country races.  Zoey romped happily today with two large dogs!  We had nice chats with their owners too!  

See you there!

-- B. Yoder, 4/19/2024

UPDATED 4/26/24: Council Review Of "The Homeless Hotel" And Plymouth Housing

Video of Council's Safety & Human Services Committee Meeting, 8/16/2024

Notable viewing stops:  

Min 18:15 - Police Chief's Quarterly Activity Update (text)

Min 40:00 - Start of the Permanent Supportive Housing Update (text)

Min 45:35 - Emergency role of the Health Through Housing homeless hotel. 

Min 47:50 - Community Advisory Group

Min 56:55 - Council Policy 

Min 1:12:10 - Councilmember Steve Fields' dialogue with Planning Director Helland about her rule that "no Hearing is required" in advance of Council's Plymouth decision.

Presently, there are no kitchenettes in the Overlake Homeless Emergency Hotel.  

Councilmember Melissa Stuart says the public's robust conversations with Council years ago put policy in place to allow permanent supportive homeless housing. Director Helland says she is administering this policy, deciding not to require a public Hearing.  The video will speak for itself.  

You can also find Council's April 16th Business Meeting here.  A record 70 citizens (mostly protesters) spoke at the podium. The meeting was intense, but well orchestrated.

-- Bob Yoder, 4/18/2024 Updated 4/26/2024

UPDATED, 4/18: Councilmember Forsythe's Letter On Plymouth Housing

 

COUNCIL V.P. JESSICA  FORSYTHE'S LETTER

The Facts

Plymouth Housing Business Focus Group

Join Plymouth Housing and OneRedmond in a Plymouth Housing-Business Focus Group.  

 

Wednesday, April 17, 2024
5:30pm-7:00pm
Centro Cultural Mexicano
16300 Redmond Way, Redmond 

RSVP is required due to limited seating. While we welcome attendees from any Redmond businesses, we hope to prioritize space for businesses located close to the Cleveland St. location. 

Any questions, please contact RedmondPSH@plymouthhousing.org

More information about the development can be found on the City of Redmond's website here: https://www.redmond.gov/2116/Plymouth-Housing-in-Redmond

Councilmember Steve Fields Recommends "Neighborhood Meetings."

 

SafeEastside.com Demands "a Say" on Downtown Homeless Housing

In a phone call yesterday, Councilmember Steve Fields recommended "neighborhood meetings" as a means to "have a Say" in the downtown homeless crisis.  These open meetings will offer Q&A discussions with elected officials, Plymouth staff, stakeholders and community members of various persuasions.  Possible meeting locations:   the Together Center, Redmond Kiwanis Club, downtown businesses, OneRedmond (City Hall,) Down Pour Coffee and residential neighborhoods. 

-- B. Yoder, 4/16. photo Yoder              

Redmond Kiwanis Club Honors Retired Councilmember Myers

Henry "Hank" Myers holding his Kiwanis Proclamation

Retired Redmond Council Member Henry "Hank" Myers was honored by Proclamation last week for his 10 years of dedicated and tireless work at Redmond Kiwanis Club.  

 

Hank's Proclamation
(click picture to enlarge)

Club President LouAnn Ballew presented the Proclamation, Club Secretary Sue Stewart wrote the Proclamation "with the help of AI," reading it with emphasis on Hank's full name, Henry "Hank" Myers.

Blog posts on some of Hank's council work are HERE.  

Photos by Yoder, 4/15/2024, updated 4/16/2024

UPDATED OPINION: Mayor Birney Should Speak To The Public On Plymouth Housing

OPINION:  Redmond is in turmoil.  From the blue "Demand a Say" signs scattered all over our city and numerous City Hall meetings over-flowing with protesters, we all know Council (and indirectly the Mayor) made a fateful "Plymouth decision" to welcome 100 homeless to our downtown.    

Some background:  The King County Regional Homeless Authority (KCRA) is promoting a regional approach to the homeless problem and now taking Seattle's severe homeless problem to the suburbs.  Their disorganized strategy didn't work in Kenmore and it's certainly not working in Redmond.   

Bellevue accepted the first Plymouth Housing building on the Eastside. It opened on July 23, 2023 and is located in a distant 10-acre low income "ecosystem."  So far, no news.

To qualify for a Plymouth studio in Bellevue, potential residents "must have been homeless for at least a year and have at least one disability."  Thus, the conditions of these homeless are severe, by far "not run of the mill."  Should Redmond have a similar building (in 2026) hopefully, these homeless will have enough human services to keep them alive, safely off the streets with even 1-2 or more finding a normal life.          

At Bellevue's Plymouth, "three staff members will live on-site and a health care clinic will allow these homeless to meet with primary care and psychiatry providers, and have an option for 24/7 telehealth urgent care."  Fantastic!  I hope this comes to fruition with many residents exiting.  

Clarity is needed for our community. Mayor Birney should speak directly to the public to explain Council's policy, quell miss-information and stimulate productive, community conversations.      

-- Bob Yoder, 4/8/2024, Updated Opinion 4/18/24

Sources:  Seattle Times, 3/21/2024  Seattle Times, 7/17/2023  Plymouth Housing website  redmondblog.org  Cartoon: The New Yorker.                    

"Beat the Bunny" Event Was a Hopping Success

 

Pat Vache' (orange vest) working the water station / credit Pam Yoder

The City of Redmond's 8th Annual "Beat the Bunny" 5k Run/Walk was a hip-hip hopping success.  

There's Pat Vache' -- on the right -- working the water station at mile 3.  Pat's the Founder of the Redmond Kiwanis Club (and renowned, past City Council President).  The Kiwanians exhibited and volunteered at various stations along the Marymoor Trail.  

Over a hundred must have turned out at the Marymoor Community Center for the start, with many families, young children and athletes "competing." Several sights along the way ...  the Marymoor Park climbing peak, a cricket game, a goose nest high above, a light rail segment and of course, construction. 

-- B. Yoder, 3/30/24

Celebrate The Launch of Light Rail In Redmond April 27

 

Sound Transit 2 Line Grand Opening Discover the 2Line starting at Redmond Technology Center Saturday, April 27, 2024 | 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Join community hosts OneRedmond and Centro Cultural Mexicano and bring the family out to celebrate this regional milestone at the Redmond Technology Center as the Sound Transit 2 Line embarks on its inaugural journey! Join us for live music and cultural performances, complimentary tastes, photo-ops with popular video game characters, community information booths, and to be one of the first to ride the 2 Line!

Click image for a Station map

Expedite your first ride by getting an ORCA card here. Low-income households and seniors may qualify for reduced fares by applying online ahead of time for an ORCA LIFT card here. Children 18 and under ride for free! -- posted by Yoder

Redmond Senior & Community Center Earns LEED Recognition

REDMOND, WA - The new Redmond Senior & Community Center recently earned the first-ever recognition from the U.S. Green Building Council for sourcing wood from climate-resilient forestry. The Council, which manages the LEED certification process, awarded the building an innovation point during the process and lauded Opsis Architecture and Sustainable NW for verifying that wood came from forests managed sustainably.

“We are honored to receive this historic recognition,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “The senior and community center was designed with environmental sustainability in mind, and it is exciting to know all who walk through these doors will be coming into a place that not only cares about them but cares about the building’s impact on our planet.”  

In addition to climate-resilient wood, which comes from forests managed sustainably to reduce wildfire risk and store more carbon, the state-of-the-art facility also utilizes efficient energy-conserving windows and doors, and mechanical and plumbing systems, as well as rooftop solar panels which will provide up to 50% of the building’s electricity. The building will also have “operational zones” to determine which areas will need lighting, for instance, based on what’s happening on any given day.

Expect to see more Redmond buildings with a green footprint in the future: Redmond 2050, the City’s comprehensive plan, is updating the Green Building Incentive Program and regulations to incentivize mass timber construction. This includes incentives for mass timber buildings up to 12 stories in Marymoor Village and Downtown, and mass timber mid-rise and high-rise buildings in Overlake. The City recently held a workshop with property owners, community members, developers, and designers to share more about mass timber and the changes coming to Redmond.

The Redmond Senior & Community Center, located at 15670 NE 85th Street, will have grand opening celebrations on May 3 and 4, and then will open to the community for use beginning Monday, May 6.

For information about the building, visit redmond.gov/RSCC. 

For information about the City’s Green Building Incentive Program, visit redmond.gov/1921/.

More on Mass Timber:  https://www.thinkwood.com/mass-timber

8-story Project Will Prod Seniors From Their Homes

8-story project site and Land Use "invitation to comment," credit Yoder

It's been decided, by the city Director of Planning & Community Development (also ARCH Chair,) that 24 Seniors will have to be relocated somewhere to make room for a novel 8-story apartment building.  

Downtown land is at a premium and owners are cashing in any way they can.    

Relocating small businesses for Big Growth hurts.  Prodding Seniors out of their homes is worse. Hopefully, not one of these vulnerable Seniors will need temporary shelter.  

I called Lauren Anderson, the city project planner for verification on the number of Seniors; to date no response.  

 --Bob Yoder, opinion

   3/27/2024

LWSD Redirects Levy Funds To Create Space For High Schools

Permanent space will be created for 600 high school students on the east side of the district.

Lake Washington School District (LWSD) has proposed redirecting levy funds from the 2022 Building Excellence Construction Levy. 

LWSD will hold off construction in Sammamish and will redirect the funds to build 12 classroom additions each, at Eastlake High School and Redmond High School.

In addition, core space modifications will create room for students to move throughout the building, eat lunch and congregate. The additions and space modifications will be completed in the same timeline as before. 

-- Shannon Parthemer

   LWSD Communications Director

   Ms. Parthemer's press release, 3/17/2024,  Excerpted and edited.

Posted by Yoder, 3/27/2024

Downtown Homeless Housing Controversy, City Hall Is Packed / Video

One of Many Signs Staked in Downtown Redmond 

 Video-link to the March 19th Redmond City Council Meeting 

https://redmond.granicus.com/player/clip/2809 

The video shows a packed house at City Hall with demonstrators peacefully holding SafeEastside signs -- "Demanding a Say on Low Barrier Housing in Downtown Redmond."  40 citizens commented.

Pro and Con Comments Of Note:

 

Aspen Richter  39:43m

Al Rosenthal 43:36m

SafeEastside activist

Kiki Montgomery 53:43m

Dennis Ellis 59:43

Ramon (from China) 1:10:23

Cynthia Young 1:14:19

Paul Stephano 1:19:45

Linda Yang 1:22:20

SafeEastside Chair

Lisa Tracy 1:35:14

Karen Rodrigues 1:39:17

HopeLink

Bob Yoder 1:46:36

Redmond Blog

Kyle Parker 1:54:37

Sean Moyer 1:55:30

Kathy Lambert 2:08:03

Retired King County Councilmember 

Yuyan 2:15:14 

Video Sources : redmond.gov  YouTube clip

3/23/2024

UPDATED: Redmond Branded "Space District" - Video Presentation

Hosted by John Oftebro, President of the Redmond Historical Society, Saturday Speaker Series.

Lisa Rich discusses her commercial space company Xplore, designed to collect infinite streams of proprietary data from the XCRAFT®, its next-generation satellite. Speaker bio: Lisa Rich is a successful serial entrepreneur, investor and thought-leader who entered the space industry in 2014 to accelerate sustainable business that positively impact the environment, education, national security, and advance the $1T space economy.

She is Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Xplore, a commercial space services company using its multi-sensor platform to store and transmit data, achieve data fusion, on orbit processing.

Ms. Rich is also Founder of Hemisphere Ventures, a top space sector VC that has invested in 37 outstanding commercial space companies including Axiom Space, Umbra and Lynk. She presents at conferences, engages Fortune 500 think tanks to discuss space strategy and the landscape for space investment.

Ms. Rich was nominated to the National Space Council User Advisory Group led by Vice President Kamala Harris; she played a pivotal role in establishing the Redmond Space District in Washington State. Media appearances include Bloomberg and CNBC.

-- Posted by Yoder, 3/14/2024

SafeEastside Activists Demand "A Say" On Downtown Homeless Housing

 

 

Redmond is in turmoil over Council's decision to allow Plymouth Homeless Housing in our downtown.  Blue signs objecting to downtown "low-barrier" homeless housing (where drugs are allowed in the hotel with conditions) suddenly appeared all over Redmond's downtown today (3/12) including this one at Anderson Park. 

At no fault of their own, Council wasn't transparent in their decision to house100 homeless and low income people in Redmond's downtown.   According to Planning & Community Development Director Helland, a public Hearing wasn't required; and "comment periods" were tabled in the rush to qualify for funding. Thus, SafeEastside activists are demanding "a Say." 

Various ways to have a Say:   

• Phone or email Council President Vanessa Kritzer (and other councilmembers.)  Request an appointment with her. Councilmember Kritzer holds office hours. 425-305-9892.
• Phone or email Councilmember Melissa Stewart. 425-305-9892. She holds walk-in office hours at the library, 3 - 5 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month.   
• Every other week on Tuesday's at 7:00 p.m. the public has a 3-minute opportunity (under review) to address the Council and Mayor at City Hall.   
• Email: the Mayor, Council or Carol Helland, Director of Planning & Community Development at MayorCouncil@Redmond.gov.  
• Contact Councilmember Steve Fields, the senior member of Council.  He owns a coffee shop in Redmond and can meet you there. 425-403-9476.
• Reach out to Mayor Birney.  Mayor@Redmond.gov 

-- Opinion by Bob Yoder, 3/12/2024, Updated 4/16/2024  Photo: Yoder

Letter To The Editor: Disabled Residents Shouldn't Be Left Homeless On Our Streets

Councilmember Osman Salahuddin

From the desk of Redmond Councilmember Osman Salahuddin...

Bob, I believe that you and I fundamentally agree that we don’t want our seniors, veterans, and residents with disabilities to be homeless and living on the streets. They deserve to be able to live in their community and have the help that they need to get by. 

Because of this agreement, our Council has spent a great deal of time addressing this decision. Because I take my responsibility to you as your Councilmember very seriously, I have personally been looking directly into the data about our city in guiding my decision. I’d like to share some of what I’ve learned with you to further our discussion about this important issue.

 

What I’ve learned about our City of Redmond (see data links below for verification):

• 3,916 of our neighbors are earning less than $15,000 annually (at or below Federal poverty line);
• 6,401 of our neighbors are living with a disability, some of which impacts their earning ability;
• 7,502 of our neighbors are seniors ages 65+, some of whom cannot afford the rising cost of living;
• 1,913 of our neighbors are veterans, many of whom are part of those earning less than $15,000;
• These are Our community members, who need Our help to stay housed and safe.

 

The intention of the 100 units of permanent supportive housing that Plymouth is offering our community is to house (in the downtown) our seniors, our veterans, and our residents living with disabilities. To add to this, we have an incredible shortage of housing at all levels, so to meet the needs of our own residents – specifically – for safe and healthy places to live, we need to provide housing opportunities for people at or below the adjusted median income of $30,000 annually. The location will be ideal for folks who are experiencing disabilities with its proximity to the Light Rail station. 

UPDATED, 4/23/2024: Council Explains Decision for Housing Homeless Downtown

Image of the Plymouth Housing building in Bellevue.  

Redmond's building will be 6-stories.

Credit "Seattle Times."  Read this article.

from the desk of Jessica Forsythe, City Council Vice President...

"Neighbors, thank you for reaching out to Redmond City Council regarding the recent Plymouth Housing decision to permanently house homeless and low income residents in downtown Redmond. I am responding as the Ombuds for the month of February. 

Council and the Planning Commission spent many months studying data and developing code around Permanent Supportive Housing in 2021 and 2022 with community concerns and feedback being taken into consideration all along the way.

• Plymouth Housing is not a homeless shelter, it is a downtown six-story supportive housing home.
• To qualify for a home at this location one must:
• The applicants must be single adults exiting homelessness and living on extremely low incomes. Many of these individuals are seniors, veterans, and/or people living with disabilities.
• Residents will earn less than $28,000/ year.
• Residents will not be a lifetime registered sex offender (all state laws regarding sex offenders registration notification are applicable)
• Residents will not have certain drug-related convictions.
• Tenants are required to apply, be screened and selected for approval, sign a lease and abide by it just like anyone else entering into a lease
• Per our regulations, Plymouth Housing only allows up to 100 housing units. This regulation was in direct response to community concerns that Plymouth Housing is able to adequately provide services for those exiting homelessness and low-income residents. 
• Plymouth Housing is not a safe injection or safe consumption site.
• To quote Redmond Police Chief Lowe “Illegal things are still illegal."
• Plymouth Housing will enter into an Operational Agreement with the City which includes:
• Performance expectations and oversite of the Plymouth Housing Operator
• Rules and Code of Conduct
• Safety and Security Plan
• Neighborhood Relations and Community Engagement.

In the development of these plans, Plymouth Housing and their CEO will seek participants and host community stakeholder groups. The Council will be consulted on the final plans / agreements as required. 

The City completed a Housing Needs Assessment which you can read here: https://www.redmond.gov/DocumentCenter/View/25992/Housing_Needs_Assessment_Feb_2021"

Signed, 

Council V.P. Jessica Forsythe 

[see comments]

UPDATED 4/16/2024: Plymouth Homeless Housing FAQ

  

Plymouth Homeless Housing in Redmond FAQ

The building will contain 100 units for homless residents with ground floor office space, commercial space, and amenity areas. 

History and Background

In alignment with Redmond’s Housing Action Plan, the transfer of publicly owned property to Plymouth Housing for development of a 100-unit Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) housing project in Downtown was approved by the Redmond City Council on Feb. 13, 2024. The City is committed to increasing the overall supply, variety, and affordability of housing to achieve desired livability and equity outcomes in Redmond.     

The building will be located at 16725 Cleveland Street. It will not be a safe injection site and will not be an overnight shelter, but will serve as Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). It will provide homes to extremely low-income adults who are exiting homelessness and are eligible for PSH.

The building will contain 100 units total with ground floor office space, commercial space, and outdoor amenity areas. 

Redmond code requires a robust community engagement process for Permanent Supportive Housing projects. During the special meeting on Feb. 13, 2024, Plymouth representatives underscored that they are willing and able to comply with code requirements. 

View a video of the special meeting.

Plymouth Housing in Redmond FAQ

BUILDING INFORMATION AND BACKGROUND  

Where will the housing be located?
16725 Cleveland Street. This housing will be in Downtown Redmond, close to the light rail stop. 

Who will live there? 
Single adults exiting homelessness and living on extremely low incomes would be eligible for the proposed Plymouth PSH project. Many of these individuals are seniors, veterans, and/or people living with disabilities. The income criteria is set at 30% or below Area Median Income (AMI), which means an individual is earning less than $28,800/year. Lifetime registered sex offenders and individuals with certain past drug-related convictions will not be eligible for this housing. 

What services will be on-site?  
Permanent Supportive Housing means in addition to housing, residents have access to a range of onsite services designed to help them achieve stability in their new home, including personalized housing case management services, veterans counseling, health care, 24/7 staffing, and other critical services. The PSH model is unique because the 0 - 30% AMI housing is paired with services designed to support people living with complex and disabling health conditions. Proximity to the Downtown Redmond light rail station will also help residents with their transportation needs.

Is this a homeless shelter?  
No, this is Permanent Supportive Housing for single adults. There is an application process for prospective residents, which includes determination of eligibility for the project. After individuals are approved and move in, they will no longer be considered homeless. Residents are responsible for abiding by their lease agreement and building rules, while also having access to onsite support services.  

How big is the building?  
The building will contain 100 units total for residents with ground floor office space, commercial space, and amenity areas. 

What about parking?  
Parking is limited at this site. Most Plymouth residents do not own a vehicle. Proximity of this site to the Downtown Redmond light rail station will offer robust transit options to future residents and help the City achieve its Environmental Sustainability Action Plan goals for reduced vehicle emissions and vehicle miles traveled.

Who will operate the building? 
Plymouth Housing will provide property management and wraparound supportive services at the building. 

How many people will be housed at this location?  
Plymouth Housing projects primarily serve single adults. However, as a landlord, Plymouth is required to abide by occupancy standards and fair housing law, which in rare cases requires them to house couples if both individuals qualify for the building. The design in the current Plymouth proposal contains 85 studios and 15 one bedrooms. We expect that the new design will reflect a similar unit mix.

Will the building have 24/7 staffing? 
Yes, Plymouth Housing will provide 24/7 staffing and support for residents. 

When will the building open for occupancy? 
There is not a specific timeline for construction yet. However, the goal is to break ground in 2025. Typically, it takes about two years of construction prior to opening for operations. 

What is the City of Redmond's role in the building? 
The City of Redmond is the host city for the Plymouth PSH project. Plymouth will be required to apply for and obtain permits necessary to construct the project. In addition, the City will be coordinating with Plymouth to ensure that the necessary agreements and terms set forth in Redmond Zoning Code requirements applicable to PSH are met. Among other things, an operational agreement, program rules and/or code of conduct, safety and security plan, community relations plan, and parking management plan will all be required. The City will partner with Plymouth to develop necessary policies, procedures, and plans.

When did the City Council first learn about this project? 
The City Council first learned about this project in February 2023 when the funding recommendation from A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH) was presented to them for approval. The Council unanimously approved the Redmond ARCH Housing Trust Fund contribution on March 21, 2023, for its original location in Kenmore.  Applications for Redmond Housing Trust Fund dollars are submitted to ARCH where they are vetted by a Community Advisory Board (CAB) that makes a recommendation to the ARCH Executive Board.  The ARCH Executive Board concurred in the CAB recommendation and transmitted the recommendation to ARCH member jurisdictions for City Council approval. 

In 2020, the City also completed a Housing Needs Assessment, which informed the Housing Action Plan, both of which were approved in early 2021. Different scenarios were considered, and at the time Council directed staff to pursue the “Housing Equity Scenario,” outlined on page 20 of the Housing Action Plan.

Why is this being built in Redmond?  
Washington state is experiencing a housing crisis. Cities across King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties are diversifying their housing inventory in accordance with Washington State Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1220. Redmond leaders, including the Mayor and City Council, have declared affordable housing a top priority and specifically included a prioritization for the development of affordable housing close to transit. King County Countywide Planning Policies have established housing targets for cities to accommodate anticipated future growth in the next 20 years. The housing needed for Redmond has been estimated across all income levels and includes anticipated demand for PSH. Every unit of added PSH helps to address the identified need and improve the lives of people who currently do not have access to safe and dignified places to live.

The City Council recognizes that Redmond lacks sufficient affordable housing, especially where the need is greatest in the 0-50% AMI range. 

New projections estimate by 2044, the City of Redmond needs nearly 24,000 units of affordable housing. Redmond is a high-cost area with an AMI of $137,000 per year.