Housing Options Study and Action Plan

Project Overview

The Clark County Housing Options Study and Action Plan (HOSAP) identifies housing challenges and opportunities to encourage development of housing that is affordable to a variety of household incomes through the removal of regulatory barriers and/or implementation of other strategies. These strategies are needed to help ensure future generations have access to affordable, quality and diverse housing opportunities.

The project area is a large urban area with an estimated population of 161,300, next to, but not incorporated into, the City of Vancouver. This area is the focus for the county, as it is its urban jurisdiction where different types of housing (duplex, triplex, quadplex, condominiums, multi-family apartments, etc.) can be built and where urban services are available and can be provided in an efficient manner.

On May 17, 2022, the Clark County Council voted unanimously to approve the Housing Options Study and Action Plan and directed staff to begin implementation of the plan.

HOSAP Implementation

Phase 1 - Middle Housing & Small Single-Family Strategies

Following the adoption of the HOSAP in May 2022, county staff and their consultants worked on proposed code changes to implement the shorter-term middle housing and small single-family strategies of the plan. The Technical Housing Code Forum provided input on the proposed code concepts and language.

On March 5, 2024, the Clark County Council unanimously approved the proposed housing code modifications. Ordinance 2024-03-02 and Ordinance 2024-06-04 codify the code changes. Please see additional information meetings grid below. 

Phase 2 - Multi-family & Regulated Affordable Housing Strategies

The county is currently working on phase 2 of this project with review and feedback on code concepts and potential code language from the Technical Housing Code Forum. Forum meetings include participation from members of the HOSAP Project Advisory GroupClark County Planning Commission, and Development and Engineering Advisory Board who have experience with Title 40 and/or housing development regulations. 

The most recent Technical Housing Code Forum Meeting was held May 22, 2024. More details, including the meeting materials, are provided in the meeting grid below.

County staff and consultants are in the process of reviewing comments from the most recent meeting and preparing information for the next forum meeting planned for later in 2024. Please keep checking back here for updated information and dates/times of upcoming meetings. You can also sign up for email updates, by selecting the Housing Options Study and Action Plan.

Additional Information

Housing handout - What types of housing are needed and what kind of house can I afford?


Alternate Languages

Information is available in an alternate language by request to jenna.kay@clark.wa.gov.

La información está disponible en otros idiomas previa solicitud a jenna.kay@clark.wa.gov.

Информация доступна на другом языке по запросу на электронную почту jenna.kay@clark.wa.gov.

Staff Contacts

Jose Alvarez
564.397.4898 or jose.alvarez@clark.wa.gov

Susan Ellinger
564.397.4516 or susan.ellinger@clark.wa.gov

Amy Wooten
564-397-4913 or amy.wooten@clark.wa.gov

Please note: Final, approved project documents are posted to the "Project Library" page.

Project Events, County Council, and Planning Commission Meetings

Date Meeting/Event Agenda/Minutes Notes/Related Documents Audio/Video
Planning Commission Work Session on Housing Code Amendments

The work session will be held in person at 1300 Franklin Street, Vancouver, 6th Floor Training Room and virtually via Webex. Please visit the Planning Commission's webpage for more information on how to participate.

Housing Code & Comp Plan Text & Policy Amendments

Audio

Neighborhood Association Council of Clark County

Update on Housing Options Study and Action Plan project implementation to the Neighborhood Association Council of Clark County.

- Development and Engineering Advisory Board

Project staff will be providing an overview of the housing code amendments and answering any questions from the members. Details on how to join and participate in the Development Engineering and Advisory Board meeting can be found on their webpage.

Technical Housing Code Forum Series

Technical Housing Code Forum Meeting #1 - Series: Multi-family and regulated affordable housing

This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. The public is invited to attend and observe. Written comments can be submitted to staff.

Zoom link

Webinar ID: 879 1117 8648

+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting materials

Meeting recording

Planning Commission Work Session on Housing Code Amendments

The work session will be held in person at 1300 Franklin Street, Vancouver, 6th Floor Training Room and virtually via Webex. Please visit the Planning Commission's webpage for more information on how to participate.

Audio