I Want to Build Affordable Housing – Our Valley, Our Future

I want to build
affordable housing.

Affordable housing is an essential foundation for building vibrant and inclusive communities.

Chelan and Douglas counties need to build 17,000 new homes over the next 20 years with about 50 percent of those homes for people making less than the area’s median income.

Building affordable housing is not just a responsibility; it is an investment in the future. It strengthens communities, promotes economic prosperity, and improves the quality of life for individuals and families. There are opportunities to help create more affordable housing for not only builders and developers, but also for current land and homeowners.

*Based on medium projected population growth

Builders & Developers

Chelan and Douglas Counties provide opportunities for builders and developers to explore and build affordable housing.

Multi-Family Tax Exemptions

Builders and developers have access to tax exemptions for building multi-family housing. This is available in the City of East Wenatchee and the City of Wenatchee.

Diverse Housing Types

Embracing and building diverse housing types is a creative and effective response to the housing crisis and can be done in such a way that it doesn’t diminish our community’s quality of life. Understanding the types of homes that people want and need is an important part of our housing plan moving forward.

Homeowners

Homeowners can help create affordable homes for those living in our region by utilizing their excess property for middle housing, such as a duplex or an ADU.

ADU Templates

To reduce permitting and cost barriers, the cities of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee offer free pre-approved ADU construction plans and designs to property owners. The City of Leavenworth also offers ADU plans for a fee. Because of the shortage of land in the area, ADUs are a key solution to increasing housing availability.

Property Owners

If you own land in Chelan or Douglas county and want to help create affordable housing, there are some options.

Build on Your Land

Utilize any excess property you may have by constructing a home, such as a duplex or an ADU, on it. To reduce permitting and cost barriers, the cities of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee offer free pre-approved ADU construction and design plans to property owners. The City of Leavenworth also offers ADU construction plans for a fee. Because of the shortage of buildable land in the region, ADUs, duplexes and other middle housing types are a key solution to increasing housing availability.

Donate Land

If you’re interested in donating land for affordable housing, you can contact a number of organizations who might be interested in working with you including our local land trusts: Common Ground, Upper Valley MEND, and Chelan Valley Housing Trust.

Public-Private Partnership

There is an opportunity to partner with developers and builders who can help property owners construct affordable housing. If you are interested, please visit the Middle Housing Resource Directory on this website for lists of developers and builders engaged in middle housing.