Delivered the first ever workforce affordable housing in downtown
In June, Woodinville welcomed Eastrail Flats, the first workforce affordable homes ever built in our downtown, and the first in over 20 years. With rents at half the typical cost, these homes provide real options for seniors, families, and our workforce.
This win didn’t happen by accident. It was the result of years of planning, advocacy, and my work to ensure Woodinville finally took bold steps on affordability.
Why Affordable Housing Matters
Affordable housing means:
Seniors on fixed incomes can stay in the community they love, close to friends and family.
Teachers, firefighters, police officers, and small business employees can live in the city they serve.
Young professionals and families can build their future here, instead of being priced out.
Key housing initiatives I’ve championed include:
Housing Action Plan: I led the adoption of Woodinville’s plan to guide workforce affordable housing policy, zoning, and development agreements with a clear, transparent framework.
Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) program adoption: championing and voting to approve Woodinville’s first-ever Multifamily Tax Exemption program to incentivize developers to include affordable units in their projects.
New affordable housing units: approving the development agreement for Eastrail flats including the construction of the first affordable housing units in decades, providing options for diverse income levels.
Watch the news story of how life changing this affordable housing was for a single mom who now calls Woodinville home
Establishing a new affordable housing trust: when developers at Harvest requested development agreement modifications, City Council requested additional public benefits including $300,000 toward establishing our first-ever affordable housing trust. This trust will continue to grow as Woodinville City Council, giving Woodinville developer-funded options to create even further affordability in future projects.
Inclusionary Zoning: we have been working through City Council and the Planning Commission to review all current zoning including aligning with recent state law changes. City Council is determining changes in policies that require a portion of new developments to be affordable, ensuring equitable growth.
Passing Woodinville’s first-ever tenant protections: recognizing the need to support renters in an increasingly expensive housing market, Michelle supported Woodinville’s first-ever tenant protections. These new safeguards provide renters with increased notice for rent hikes, reasonable move-in costs, and flexible payment plans—ensuring that residents can remain in their homes and continue contributing to our community. This is a crucial step in making Woodinville a place where everyone, from young professionals to retirees, has a fair chance to live and thrive.
Balanced growth strategy: Concentrating density downtown while protecting neighborhood character, open space, and walkability.
Delivering Eastrail Flats proves what’s possible when we plan, partner, and act. Now, I’m committed to building on this progress, ensuring Woodinville’s seniors, families, and workforce all have a place to call home.
