We seem to sometimes overlook the income side of the equation. If we focus on improved education, increased income for workers, attracting higher wage-paying employers instead of warehouses (Lacey, a lousy use of our precious land resources) we could improve folks ability to afford a home.
But we also need to make housing more affordable. Some of them are; reducing impact fees, reducing the cost of money, build smaller units, different types of living units, more energy efficient units to reduce ongoing utility costs, more sustainable and longer lasting materials to reduce maintenance, and building where we already have infrastructure (streets, sewer, water, etc).
The ideas of local or state bond money at below market rates is a good source of cheaper money. A graduated impact fee structure would be a good idea. Building where services (sewer, roads, water, parks, schools) already exist, the fees should be much less. Allowing/promoting ADUs and requiring/allowing higher densities can also be helpful.
But, as always, divergent opinions will delay all of these longer than necessary. Instead of relying so much on consultants, and arguing over which ones to implement (like the never ending discussion of additional downtown parking), we should be listening, cooperating, and trusting our common sense.
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