The Bellevue City Council will review a draft of its 2026-2032 Affordable Housing Strategy on Feb. 3. This seven-year plan aims to improve housing access for all residents, regardless of income or background. Deputy Mayor Dave Hamilton emphasized the strategy’s importance in achieving the city’s housing goals. Bellevue’s first Affordable Housing Strategy was adopted in 2017, and this update focuses on creating a roadmap for enhancing housing opportunities.

The draft strategy outlines 24 key strategies across five areas: Affordable Housing, Housing Equity, Housing Stability, Housing for Unique Needs, and Supply and Diversity. It aims to implement policies from the Bellevue 2044 Comprehensive Plan and identify new funding sources for affordable housing. New focus areas include preserving older multifamily housing for long-term affordability, reducing the time and costs associated with building affordable housing, and exploring revenue sources for creating deeply affordable options.

The plan was shaped by input from over 650 residents and 60 organizations, with draft strategies presented for public review in December. Community members can view the draft and submit comments to the Office of Housing via email.