Part 2 of 10: Home Sweet Bellingham

Title: “Home Sweet Bellingham: The Future of Housing”
(Part 3 of our 10-Part Series on The Bellingham Plan)

Homeowners and Renters…

…if you’ve ever scrolled through Bellingham home listings and thought, “Yikes!” you’re not alone. Prices have soared, apartments fill up fast, and many locals are wondering how long they can afford to stay. The city knows this, and that’s why the Housing section of The Bellingham Plan might just be the most personal and urgent one for everyone who calls this city home.

This part of the plan doesn’t just talk about buildings—it talks about people. It’s about making sure everyone, from baristas to teachers to retirees, can find a safe, affordable, and comfortable place to live right here in Bellingham.

Why It Matters

The numbers tell a clear story. Bellingham’s population is expected to reach about 135,800 people by 2045. That’s roughly 30,000 more people than we have today. To make room, the city estimates it will need around 18,900 new homes in the next 20 years.

That’s nearly 950 homes built every year: a pace we’ve never hit before. But it’s not just about quantity. The city wants to make sure these homes work for everyone, not just those with higher incomes.

Right now, over half of Bellingham renters spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing, and about one in four spends more than half. That’s called being cost-burdened, and it means many folks are sacrificing food, childcare, or healthcare just to stay housed.

The goal of the Housing section is to turn that around by:

• Building more homes of all shapes and sizes

• Making more of those homes affordable

• Keeping housing close to jobs, transit, and schools

• Protecting neighborhoods from being priced out

Why It’s Controversial

There’s no easy fix for housing. When the city talks about “more homes,” that often means taller buildings, smaller lots, and shared walls. Not everyone loves that idea.

Some longtime residents worry about traffic, parking, and losing the traditional look of older neighborhoods. Others argue that not building more homes will only make prices rise faster and push out the next generation of Bellingham residents.

This plan tries to find a middle path adding homes without losing character. It’s about making neighborhoods more complete, not more crowded.

The Big Ideas Inside the Housing Plan

1. More Homes Where It Makes Sense

The city is focusing new housing in places that already have good infrastructure near transit, schools, and shops.

Think about areas like Samish Way, Downtown, Barkley, and the Fountain District. These are “urban villages” where taller apartment buildings, condos, and mixed-use spaces can add hundreds of new homes without pushing into greenbelts or farmlands.

Other neighborhoods will see gentler changes: things like duplexes, triplexes, backyard cottages, and small apartment buildings where only single-family homes used to be allowed.

The city also plans to review its zoning rules to make it easier to build these housing types.

2. Homes for Every Budget

Housing for all incomes is a major focus. Right now, a big share of new construction is market-rate housing meaning it’s priced for people earning middle to high incomes. The plan pushes to close the gap by:

• Incentivizing affordable housing: Developers who include lower-cost units can qualify for tax breaks, faster permits, or other benefits.

• Supporting nonprofit housing partners: Groups like the Opportunity Council, Kulshan Community Land Trust, and Habitat for Humanity are key to building homes for low-income families.

• Using city land for housing: The plan calls for the city to use surplus or public land for affordable housing projects where possible.

• Protecting existing affordable homes: Preserving older apartment buildings, mobile home parks, and “naturally affordable” rentals before they’re replaced by high-end developments.

The city also wants to keep track of how housing prices shift by neighborhood and how many residents are being displaced, so they can step in early with support or new programs.

3. More Kinds of Homes for More Kinds of People

Not everyone wants (or can afford) a single-family house with a yard. The plan encourages a mix of housing options that fit different life stages and needs:

• Small homes and cottages for people who want simpler living

• Townhomes and duplexes for families

• Apartments for renters and young professionals

• Co-living and modular housing for flexible, lower-cost options

• Senior-friendly housing close to healthcare and transit

• Transitional and supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness

It’s about making sure everyone from college students to retirees has a realistic housing choice in Bellingham.

4. Making Housing Healthier and Happier

The plan also connects housing to health and quality of life. Homes should be near parks, grocery stores, and bus lines. Buildings should be energy efficient, safe, and comfortable.

It even encourages things like community gardens and shared open spaces in new developments because housing isn’t just about roofs and walls. It’s about community.

Breaking Down the Numbers

If Bellingham meets these goals, it will add roughly 18,900 new homes—enough to keep up with projected growth and help stabilize prices.

What This Means for the Average Neighbor

For most of us, this won’t mean bulldozers on every corner. Instead, it will look like small but steady changes a few more duplexes on your block, a new apartment complex along the bus line, or a converted warehouse with lofts and shops below.

These changes add up to a more connected, livable city where people can afford to stay near their jobs, schools, and families.

If the plan succeeds, Bellingham in 2045 will be a place where your kids can buy their first home here, not somewhere else.

The Big Picture

Housing is the heartbeat of The Bellingham Plan. It affects everything transportation, schools, parks, and jobs. Without enough housing, the rest of the plan simply doesn’t work.

This chapter shows that growth doesn’t have to mean losing what we love. It can mean creating a Bellingham that’s more inclusive, balanced, and fair where everyone, not just a few, can belong.