HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff ReportJEFFERSON COUNTY & CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
TO: Jefferson County Planning Commissioners
City of Port Townsend Planning Commission
FROM: Emma Bolin, AICP, Planning and Community Development Director
Judy Surber, Planning Manager
FROM: Brent A. Butler, AICP, Director, Community Development
Josh D. Peters, AICP, Deputy Community Development Director
Joel Peterson, AICP, Associate Planner
DATE: October 19, 2022
RE: Definitions of Housing Policy, Planning and Program Terms
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
This agenda item represents an opportunity for the Jefferson County and Port Townsend Planning
Commissions (“Joint PC”) to review housing planning and policy terms used for the purpose of
improving consistency in use of terms between jurisdictions and to better enable housing providers
to access competitive financing. This agenda report summarizes definitions in several local
documents and ordinances as more fully set forth below.
1) Jefferson County – An Ordinance Adopting Development Regulations for the Siting,
Establishment, and Operation of Temporary Housing Facilities for Unsheltered and
Unhoused Individuals and Families in Unincorporated Jefferson County; Repealing
and Replacing Ordinance 08-1213-2. Ordinance No. 05-061322, Adopted June 13,
2022 – four new definitions added to Jefferson County Municipal Code Chapter
18.10.200. (Attachment 1)
2) City of Port Townsend – An Ordinance Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code
Section 17.60.060 Time Limitations for Temporary Uses and Interim Land Use
Regulations, and providing that the Interim Regulations, Unless Extended, will
Sunset on the Earlier of Six (6) Months from the Date of Adoption of this Ordinance
or the Adoption of Regulations that Supersede this Ordinance. Ordinance 3291,
Adopted June 6, 2022 (Attachment 2)
3) Jefferson County’s Lease between Jefferson County and Olympic Community Action
Programs (OlyCAP) for the Caswell-Brown Village Site. August 18, 2022 – contains
26 definitions. (Attachment 3)
4) Analysis of Temporary Housing Facilities Ordinance Changes prepared by Tiny
Home Communities Housing Action Team of Housing Solutions Network in
Consultation with Bayside Housing and Community Build, July 13, 2022 – highlights
four definitions. (Attachment 4)
5) Affordable Housing & Homeless Housing Task Force, Making Homelessness a
Singular Occurrence, Homeless Crisis Response and Housing 5 Year Plan for
Jefferson County, WA, 2020 - 2024 – contains 58 definitions
https://test.co.jefferson.wa.us/WebLinkExternal/0/edoc/2801323/JC%20Homelessnes
s%20Plan%202019-2024%2010.5.pdf
The Washington State Department of Commerce is also seeking to improve definitions by defining
the meaning of cash flow contingent loans.
BACKGROUND
Housing Solutions Network (HSN) identified the need to revisit certain sections of the county
ordinance referenced as item number one in the previous page. Given that the city, county and
OlyCAP use closely aligned definitions, staff realized it would be a good opportunity to review the
terminology used to ease project planning, access to funding and clarity for organizations seeking to
develop new housing, maintain or improve existing housing or secure funding for the foregoing
purposes.
ANALYSIS:
In addition to local ordinances and lease(s), we reviewed terms used by federal and state
agencies many of which are responsible for funding guidelines
1) Washington State Housing Finance Commission (see RCW 43.180.020);
2) Washington Housing Trust Fund, (see RCW 43.185.020);
3) Adult Protective Services Technical Assistance Resource Center, Handout Definitions,
https://apstarc.acl.gov/getattachment/Education/Webinars/HANDOUT-
Definitions.pdf.aspx?lang=en-US
4) Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Homeless: Defining
“Chronically Homeless” – a funding requirement.
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2015-12-04/pdf/2015-30473.pdf
5) Homeless Housing and Assistance, Definitions (see RCW 43.185C.010)
6) Department of Housing and Urban Development, which administers Mortgage and
loan insurance through the Federal Housing Administration; Community Development
Block Grants (CDBG) to help communities with economic development, job
opportunities and housing rehabilitation; HOME Investment Partnership Act block
grants to develop and support affordable housing for low-income residents; Rental
assistance in the form of Section 8 certificates or vouchers for low-income households;
Public or subsidized housing for low-income individuals and families; Homeless
assistance provided through local communities and faith-based and other nonprofit
organizations; Fair housing public education and enforcement. The Federal Housing
Administration has a glossary of terms used, which can be accessed online, (see
https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/4000.1hsngglossary-062022.pdf
o Children and Youth and HUD’s Homeless Definition
https://files.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/HUDs-Homeless-
Definition-as-it-Relates-to-Children-and-Youth.pdf
o HUD Glossary of Terms to Affordable Housing
https://archives.hud.gov/local/nv/goodstories/2006-04-06glos.cfm
o HUD’s Definition of Homelessness: Resources and Guidance
https://www.hudexchange.info/news/huds-definition-of-homelessness-
resources-and-guidance/
As part of this analysis, we created a spreadsheet that outlines nearly 50 terms used in local
documents (see Attachment 5 - Comparison of Terms).
RECOMMENDATION:
After listening to a presentation, consider which terms should be amended.