Let’s Talk About Real Affordable Housing in Woodinville

Written By Michelle Evans

Lately, I’ve seen my opponents spreading a talking point that sounds progressive—but would actually harm Woodinville residents: They claim we need mandatory inclusionary zoning across all of Woodinville, and that developers should be required to build homes affordable to people making 30 - 55% of the area median income (AMI). Sounds compassionate, right? But here’s the truth: That policy would kill all new development in Woodinville—raising rents and housing prices across the board.

I break it down in this video. I've also included links to the data and your free shareable cheat sheet below.

What’s the Real Story?

According to the **Housing Development Consortium’s Affordable Housing Toolkit (2023), setting inclusionary zoning requirements below 80% AMI makes most housing projects financially impossible— without deep public subsidies. Here's a direct quote:

“Setting inclusionary requirements too low—typically under 80% AMI—makes projects infeasible. No units get built. No affordability gets created.” (Page 5, Affordable Housing Toolkit)

And that’s the point. This isn’t a well-intentioned mistake—it’s a tactic. This kind of policy isn’t designed to solve the problem—it’s what housing experts call policy sabotage or performative policymaking.

Policy sabotage is when a policy looks good on paper, in an online post or in a headline but is deliberately unworkable in practice.

It’s a sneaky way to look like you're fighting for affordability—while blocking it at the same time. When development stalls, everyone pays the price. Developers hold their land and walk away. Builders go elsewhere. Housing supply dries up. And prices rise for renters, homeowners, and businesses.

Download this shareable cheat sheet to use across social media.

What Does Work?

Here’s what smart, successful cities are doing instead:

  • Inclusionary Zoning—Targeted and Realistic Require affordable units in new mixed use developments—but set it at 80% AMI or higher, unless public funds help bridge the gap. That’s where projects actually get built.
  • Overlay Zones Focus affordable housing development in targeted areas with flexible zoning, fast permitting, and strong incentives.
  • Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Encourage diverse housing types like backyard cottages and in-law units—now supported by updated state laws.
  • Public Land for Affordable Housing Use surplus public land to create homes that remain affordable long-term.
  • Community Land Trusts Partner with nonprofits that keep homes permanently affordable—housing with long-term community stewardship.
  • Real Incentives Tax breaks, density bonuses, and fast permitting—when projects actually deliver affordability that works.

Local Programs Making a Real Difference

We don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Cities all around us are already putting proven strategies into action — creating homes people can actually afford. Here are just a few examples:

Bottom Line: Facts Deliver Housing That Works

You can’t cheer for affordable housing and boo the proven playbook.

Real solutions take real action — not just slogans, harmful headlines and scare tactics.

Affordable homes are the result of good policy, smart planning, and courageous leadership.

Got questions? Want to talk about your housing questions? I’m here - email me at [Michelle@Michelle4Woodinville.com]7.

Let’s build a Woodinville where everyone at every stage of life— from our newest graduates to our seniors — can afford to live. Affordable housing should be:

  • Genuinely affordable
  • Actually built
  • Sustainable for the long haul

Woodinville deserves solutions that work — not slogans that sabotage.

Let’s build smart. Let’s build our community together.

Michelle Evans
Previous

Busting the Housing Myths: The Real Story About Growth in Woodinville
Next

Smart Growth, Strong Communities: What the GMA Means for Woodinville