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Whatcom County · WC-CP-2021 · Pages 1-14

Housing

This chapter inventories existing housing conditions, analyzes projected housing needs for Whatcom County through the 2036 planning horizon, and establishes goals and policies to ensure an adequate supply of diverse, affordable housing types for all income levels. It addresses permitting efficiency, mixed land uses, access to housing for special populations including agricultural workers and low-income households, incentives for affordability such as ADUs and density bonuses, regulatory reform, and preservation of existing housing stock. The chapter is designed to satisfy GMA housing element requirements under RCW 36.70A.070 while aligning with County-Wide Planning Policies and Visioning Community Value Statements.

Housing Housing Economy Social

“Only 2 of 39 Housing policies (5%) include a concrete, measurable commitment.” Real Record SAY vs DO analysis · Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan

About this analysis

Real Record applies the SAY vs DO accountability framework to every chapter of every Washington comprehensive plan we publish. Each policy in the chapter is read individually and scored into one of four buckets:

  • Measurable — the policy names a specific target, deadline, dollar amount, or action that can be verified later.
  • Strong — binding action language (“shall,” “will adopt,” “require”) without a measurable threshold.
  • Aspirational — encouraging or supportive language (“encourage,” “support,” “consider”) with no enforcement.
  • Monitor only — policies that commit to tracking or reporting but not to action.

The accountability score shown in the sidebar is the share of policies in the chapter that landed in the “Measurable” bucket. A score of 0–19 (red) indicates most policies use aspirational language without concrete accountability; 20–49 (orange) is mixed; 50 or higher (green) means the chapter is dominated by measurable commitments.

The underlying text comes from the official adopted comprehensive plan published by the Whatcom County planning department. Scoring is performed by Real Record analysts using a structured rubric; the raw policy text and bucket assignments are archived in the Real Record civic data warehouse.

Read the full methodology, sources, and rubric at Real Record · About.

What the Plan Promises
Formal targets adopted in the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan.
By 2036, every community and neighborhood has a healthy mix of housing sizes, types and prices affordable at wages of nearby jobs; County population projected to grow from 205,800 to 275,450 by 2036
Goals (8 total)
  • Goal 3A: Minimize the time required for processing housing-related development and construction permits in the interest of overall cost reduction.
  • Goal 3B: Support residential housing near employment opportunities and transit.
  • Goal 3C: Create opportunity for a broad range of housing types and encourage mixed affordability.
  • Goal 3D: Encourage adequate housing types at every income level.
  • Goal 3E: Provide for future housing needs by responding to changing household demographics.
  • Goal 3F: Provide incentives to create affordable housing.
  • Goal 3G: Identify and remove impediments to affordable housing.
  • Goal 3H: Facilitate maintenance and rehabilitation of existing housing.
Stronger Policy Language (17 policies in this chapter)
  • Policy 3A-1: Streamline and simplify existing and proposed permitting processes.
  • Policy 3A-3: Consistently apply the International Building Codes.
  • Policy 3B-2: Establish commercial zoning regulations that accommodate residential uses at a density higher than surrounding residential or rural zoning provided adequate transportation access and services are available.
  • Policy 3B-3: Establish industrial zoning regulations that accommodate temporary residential uses at a density higher than surrounding residential or rural zoning provided adequate transportation access is available.
  • Policy 3C-4: Develop zoning criteria in order to appropriately site group homes and accessory dwelling units within county residential urban growth areas.
  • Policy 3F-7: Work with the cities to develop ADU and DADU policies and programs that encourage infill within urban areas where transportation, public facilities, and utilities already exist.
  • Policy 3G-3: Educate the public on equal opportunity laws specifically related to housing and housing conditions including options available to anyone discriminated against.
  • Policy 3G-5: Develop policies that encourage the construction of more Attached and Detached Accessory Dwelling Units in urban areas.
Show all 17 stronger policies
The four examples above are a representative sample. The remaining 13 stronger policies are catalogued in the Real Record civic data warehouse and indexed by policy number against the adopted plan text. See how policies are scored →
Aspirational / Monitoring Language (20 policies in this chapter)
  • Policy 3A-2: Educate interested parties in the permitting processes required for land use actions using easy to understand publications such as brochures, handouts, workshops and websites readily available to the public.
  • Policy 3B-1: Enable and support housing development opportunities integral with, and near, compatible industrial and commercial activities and transit.
  • Policy 3C-1: Support lot clustering, varied lot sizes, small-scale multi-family dwellings, accessory housing, especially ADUs in single-family zoning, and reductions in infrastructure requirements for subdivisions.
  • Policy 3C-8: Encourage adequate urban land supply to provide for a broad range of housing types commensurate with residential market demand.
  • Policy 3D-3: Support programs which assist agricultural workers seeking affordable housing opportunities.
  • Policy 3E-3: Encourage financial institutions to participate in creative housing solutions which respond to changing demographics and needs.
  • Policy 3F-3: Support innovative housing ideas including co-housing, elder cottages, accessory dwelling units in single family zoning, and shared living residences or group quarters in UGAs.
  • Policy 3F-8: Explore and consider various financial incentives and funds to support affordable housing.
Show all 20 aspirational / monitoring policies
The four examples above are a representative sample. The remaining 16 policies in this bucket use language like “encourage,” “support,” “consider,” or “monitor” — phrasing that does not create an enforceable commitment. See how policies are scored →

SAY vs DISCUSS: Did this come up in meetings?

Real Record has not yet indexed any Whatcom County briefings tagged to this chapter’s topics. Browse all Whatcom County council and planning briefings to see related discussions in context.

View Whatcom County Briefings →

SAY vs DO: Where the Money Goes

Departments related to Housing in Whatcom County — what the city actually funds, year over year.

Budget analysis for this chapter is in progress. Real Record has mapped 5 Whatcom County departments to this chapter, but the FY2006 / FY2025 line-item totals are not yet loaded into our civic data warehouse. In the meantime, browse the city-wide budget comparison on the index page.