HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing and Human Services Element
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE 2024 1 Draft 3.0 PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEW DRAFT Draft Revised: May 30, 2024
Housing and Human Services
Renton Comprehensive Plan Update Element Policies Draft
Draft 3.0: Updated: May 30, 2024
Summary of Updates
Washington State Law:
Include adequate provisions/planning by income band (HB 1220)
Include consideration of duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes in urban growth areas
Include identification of capacity of land for housing for government-assisted housing, housing for moderate, low, very low, and extremely low income
households, manufactured housing, group homes, foster care facilities, emergency housing, emergency shelters, permanent supportive housing
Identify local policies and regulations that result in racially disparate impacts, displacement, and exclusion in housing (i.e., zoning that may have a
discriminatory effect, disinvestment, infrastructure availability)
Establish policies and regulations to address and begin to undo racially disparate impacts, displacement, and exclusion in housing caused by local plans
and policies
Identify areas that may be at a higher risk of displacement and establish anti-displacement policies
VISION 2050:
Increase housing supply and densities to meet the region’s current and projected needs at all income levels
Expand diversity of housing types for all income levels and demographic groups
Expand capacity for middle housing
Promote jobs-housing balance; promote housing choices accessible to workers
Use inclusionary and incentive zoning to provide more affordable housing when creating additional housing capacity
Create and preserve affordable housing near high-capacity transit
Element Review ▪ Housing and Human Services ▪
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE 2024 2 Draft 3.0 Draft Revised: May 30, 2024
Develop anti-displacement strategies
Promote homeownership opportunities while recognizing historic inequities in access to homeownership opportunities for communities of color
Identify and begin to undo local policies and regulations that result in racially disparate impacts, displacement, and exclusion in housing
King County Countywide Planning Policies:
Align with existing plans including VISION 2050 and the Regional Affordable Housing Task Force Final Report and Recommendations.
Redefine Countywide need as the number of homes needed today and, in the future, to ensure that no low-income household is cost burdened.
Guide cities and the county through a four-step continuous improvement process to meet the countywide need.
Establish regular monitoring of regional and jurisdictional progress through the Affordable Housing Dashboard and leverage new centralized data
infrastructure created by King County staff that support the AHC.
The CPP policy amendments are structured to achieve health and equity outcomes with five key equity objectives:
Equitable processes and outcomes;
Increased housing supply, particularly for households with the greatest needs;
Expanded housing options and increased affordability accessible to transit and employment;
Expanded housing and neighborhood choice for all residents; and
Housing stability, healthy homes, and health communities.
Plans to be Adopted by Reference:
Renton Housing Action Plan (2021)
Renton Community Conditions 2023 Update
Renton Racially Disparate Impacts Assessment (2023)
Element Review ▪ Housing and Human Services ▪ Discussion Revised 2024
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE 2024 3 Draft 3.0 Draft Revised: May 30, 2024
Discussion Revised 2024
All community members need housing and being an inclusive community means having housing available for all.. Renton needs quality, fair, and safe housing
accessible to all members of the community. Renton’s efforts include ensuring residential development capacity to accommodate all housing needs and a system of
social services and supports to prevent hardships associated with housing instability. Housing variety, location, and affordability influence a household’s ability to
access jobs, schools, and services. Human services can help support residents to find and maintain stable and healthy dwellings and to meet economic, health, and
social needs.
The Housing and Human Services Element presents Renton’s goals and policies to meet the Growth Management Act’s (GMA) housing goal to “Plan for and
accommodate housing affordable to all economic segments of the population of this state, promote a variety of residential densities and housing types, and
encourage preservation of existing housing stock.”
The element integrates goals and policies related to human services, because housing and human service needs are often intertwined. Human Services are programs
and strategies that:
Support vulnerable or at-risk individuals and families in times of need,
Address the social conditions that make people vulnerable or put them at risk, and
Foster an effective and efficient system of services.
Human services address needs along a continuum from meeting basic human needs, promoting safe and healthy communities, preventing crime, to assistance in
becoming self-reliant. While optional under GMA, Renton addresses human services in the Comprehensive Plan to best meet community needs in an efficient and
effective manner.
Sustainable, Inclusive, and Safe Housing
Assessments of Renton’s housing and human service needs were conducted for the Housing Action Plan (2021), Renton Racial Disparate Impacts (2022), and
Renton Community Conditions (2023 update), The assessments find that Renton has the following housing and human service needs.
Renton housing needs include:
More affordable housing. Housing prices have increased considerably from the previous recession and the low housing prices experienced in 2012. Housing
in Renton is still generally affordable compared to cities to the North and East, but housing affordability is a widespread challenge, with both renters and
homebuyers challenged to find appropriate housing at affordable price points.
Households spending more than 30% of their income on housing are considered “cost-burdened.” and households spending more than 50% of their income
on housing are considered “severely cost-burdened.” Due to the high percentage of income spent on housing, these households are at a greater risk of
displacement and likely have difficulties meeting other household necessities including food, medicine, clothing, and transportation. Approximately one third
(37%) of all Renton households are either “cost-burdened” or “severely cost-burdened.” Rates of housing cost burden have increased 4 percentage points
Element Review ▪ Housing and Human Services ▪ Sustainable, Inclusive, and Safe Housing
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE 2024 4 Draft 3.0 Draft Revised: May 30, 2024
among renter households since 2010 (47% in 2010 to 51% in 2021). Rates of renter cost burden are higher for households led by a person of color. About
40% of households of color reported experiencing housing cost burden compared to 32% of white households.
A greater variety of housing size and configurations., About half of housing production in Renton between 2010 and 2020 has been in single-unit, detached
homes, including replacements for depreciated housing stock, infill projects, and new subdivisions on undeveloped land. However, there has also been a
notable increase in the diversity of housing types, with new apartment, multi-plex, and townhome projects. To meet local needs over the coming years,
demands for future growth will require a wide range of housing opportunities for the city. This will include both single-unit and multi-unit development, as
well as units sized for individuals, couples, and families.
Housing that is affordable to households with extremely low incomes. There is a gap in rental housing available to households with incomes less than 30%
AMI. There are about 2.5 times the number of households in this income segment than units that are affordable. As a result, about 84% of extremely low-
income households are facing some level of cost- burden with around 68% paying more than half their income on housing.
Significant support from government agencies and non-profits is required to support housing for these households. The net revenue received from the
residents of an income-restricted housing development may be considerably lower than market rents. In some cases, this may not even be enough to cover
the ongoing expenses of the building. Support is necessary to bridge the gap to ensure that projects remain feasible and sustainable.
Opportunities for homeownership. Generally, households headed by people of color, which make up about 45% of the total households in Renton, include
more renters (54%) versus households headed by a person who identifies as white (44%). Homeownership offers many advantages, such as the ability to
lock in monthly housing payments, favorable tax benefits, the ability to withstand displacement pressure, and wealth-building through land appreciation.
Housing to meet special housing needs. Many special-needs households also require affordable housing choices.
People with disabilities. Higher proportions of households with lower incomes have household members with disabilities, with the highest proportions
among households with extremely low-income households. Renton has about 18,000 households that include a member living with a disability. About
18% of all households have a member with a self-care or individual living limitation and another 30% have another member living with a disability.
Persons with medical or physical disabilities or substance abuse concerns may need support services or a supportive living environment.
Veterans: Among the civilian population aged 18 and over in Renton, about 5.9% (4,839 (2021 estimate)) are veterans. In Renton, veterans are more
likely to have risk factors associated with higher levels of housing instability than non-veterans. While these factors would suggest a higher rate of
housing instability, there are avenues of support available to veterans that are not accessible to other households at risk for housing instability.
Specifically, access to federal resources for healthcare and housing through the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), can meet housing and health
needs for some, but will not alleviate all the needs of veterans in the community.
Unhoused Populations: The number of people experiencing homelessness in King County grew between 2012 and 2022. Roughly 12,000 people are
experiencing homelessness (2000 point-in-time estimate) in Southeast King County, the area including Renton. For the 2022-2023 school year,
Renton had a larger percent (3.8%) of unhoused students than Washington state (3.4%). There is an unmet need for flexible, temporary housing
assistance to prevent homelessness.
Encouraging Housing Variety and Opportunity
Element Review ▪ Housing and Human Services ▪ Sustainable, Inclusive, and Safe Housing
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE 2024 5 Draft 3.0 Draft Revised: May 30, 2024
Renton has a diverse housing stock with a wide range of housing types and prices. This includes new and older detached homes of all sizes, flats, townhouses, low-
and mid-rise apartments and condominiums, and high-density mid-rise apartments. Renton has a strong sense of place with many established neighborhoods
organized around schools, parks, and other institutions. New development in Renton is still largely infill development. The communities of Benson, Valley, Talbot, and
the City Center have seen more increases in attached housing units between 2011 and 2021 due to the availability of infill sites in zones allowing moderate density
development. Since 2011, Renton overall has had slightly higher housing growth in attached housing units, but detached housing is still a considerable part of
housing development.
Meeting current and future needs will require a wide range of housing opportunities to provide housing capacity for residents of all income levels. Renton must plan
for its share of total countywide future housing needs for moderate-, low-, very low-, and extremely low-income households as well as emergency housing, emergency
shelters, and permanent supportive housing specified by King County Countywide Planning Policies,
The King County Countywide Planning Policies require jurisdictions to analyze housing affordability according to income groups benchmarked against King County’s
median income for all households. More specifically, the policies define housing need based on affordability levels equal to 30%, 50%, and 80% of the County’s Area
Median Income (AMI). Figure 1 shows the distribution of Renton’s (2020) 43,362 housing units across affordability levels. Countywide Planning Policies direct Renton,
other cities, and King County to work collectively to meet low- and moderate-income housing needs countywide. Renton’s 2044 housing target is 60,362 housing
units, which represents an increase of 17,000 units above the 2020 housing stock. Notably, about half (46%) of Renton’s net new need between 2020 and 2044 is
for units affordable to households earning 50% of AMI or less, with 37% of the need for households at or below 30% of AMI. In addition, Renton also must plan for
capacity to accommodate more than 3,200 emergency housing beds by 2044.
Element Review ▪ Housing and Human Services ▪ Sustainable, Inclusive, and Safe Housing
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE 2024 6 Draft 3.0 Draft Revised: May 30, 2024
Figure 1. Renton Housing Supply and Future Housing Need 2020 – 2044
Source: King County, 2022; Renton, 2023; BERK 2023
Addressing Racially Disparate Impacts and Displacement
Renton values homeownership opportunity as an important component of an inclusive community and recognizes that historic practices and policies have led to
lasting inequities in homeownership opportunities, particularly for communities of color. Renton aims to broaden homeownership opportunities for all residents
by providing information on loan and down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, veterans, and residents with disabilities. Renton is also leveraging
funding and surplus public property to create affordable homeownership opportunities for income-qualified households. Community input favors promoting
greater production of new, lower-cost for-sale housing to provide homeownership opportunities for moderate- and low-income households, including a greater
proportion of Black and Hispanic/Latino households, to access homeownership.
Element Review ▪ Housing and Human Services ▪ Sustainable, Inclusive, and Safe Housing
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE 2024 7 Draft 3.0 Draft Revised: May 30, 2024
(STILL NEEDS TO BE UPDATED -1590 and 1406 MONEY AND SKHHP) Renton primarily creates opportunities for market rate and assisted housing through its
Comprehensive Land Use Plan and zoning. The City has worked in partnership with the Renton Housing Authority (RHA) to establish the long-term vision and
revitalization of RHA properties, such as Sunset Terrace and other locations in the Sunset Area. The City also participates in the King County Joint
Recommendations Committee (JRC) which allocates funding for affordable housing. The City does not have a dedicated funding source for housing, but could
continue to advance partnerships with other cities located within South King County.
Renton’s Plan for Growth
Renton’s land supply of vacant, underutilized, and re-developable land in its neighborhoods and mixed-use centers will accommodate its 2044 growth targets.
Renton’s plan for growth, detailed in the Land Use Element, allocates land use designations to facilitate a range of housing types across all affordability levels where
they are supported by complete neighborhoods, local amenities, and transit options.
By providing for housing variety, Renton:
Accommodates housing at all affordability levels. The cost of housing is driven by many factors, including the cost of land, construction costs, operational
overhead, and the supply of housing relative to the demand. To support housing at all affordability levels, Renton’s plan for growth includes higher density
housing in neighborhoods with transit and services, a greater variety of housing types in established neighborhoods, and partnerships with non-profit
housing providers and regional coalitions to support housing at affordability levels not met by the private market. In addition, promoting more housing stock
that supports upward mobility frees up lower-cost units for households needing greater affordability.
Prevents housing instability and economic displacement. Households experience housing instability when their income and resources are insufficient to
cover the cost of housing and other basic needs. Households may “double up” and share housing with another household in crowded conditions. Others
may stretch their housing budgets too far due to a lack of options. Forms of shared housing and accessory dwelling units can be a source of affordable
housing for some households and offer housing stability to others by providing income for homeowners to help pay their mortgage or allowing older
households to age in place.
Meets housing needs over a person’s life cycle. Renton is committed to providing a livable community where all generations have value, thrive, and age with
respect. Renton’s older residents express a strong desire to stay in their current community for as long as possible. As people age housing needs change
due to changing household configurations, changing lifestyle preferences, a desire to reduce the burden of home maintenance, or changing sensory or
mobility conditions. Increasing the diversity of Renton’s housing supply in existing neighborhoods with a greater variety of styles and price ranges will better
serve all resident needs.
Improves mobility. Encouraging housing where there is a variety of transportation options or increasing the density in areas served by public transportation
can improve the viability of transit and provide better access to employment, recreation, and other services.
Meets special housing needs. A variety of housing choices allows persons and households with special needs, including seniors, people with disabilities,
large or extended families, and unhoused persons to have access to stable and supportive housing choices.
Expands opportunities for homeownership. Many Renton residents express a preference for homeownership, but homeownership rates have fallen with
greater reductions among BIPOC populations. Large, detached houses are expensive to build, to maintain, and often require households to absorb
Element Review ▪ Housing and Human Services ▪ Sustainable, Inclusive, and Safe Housing
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE 2024 8 Draft 3.0 Draft Revised: May 30, 2024
additional transportation costs. Increasing the variety of housing types broadens who can access homeownership in primarily two ways. First, by broadening
the variety of housing sizes and price points through a greater variety of housing forms. Secondly, the greater variety of housing form and arrangement
allows households to approach homeownership in innovative ways. For example, buying a house that provides income from an backyard cottage or
partnering with family members to purchase a multi-unit home.
Goals
Table 1. Sustainable, Inclusive, and Safe Housing Goals
Row
# 2015 Goal Proposed Language Change Purpose or Rationale
1 HHS-A: Adopt best available housing practices
and implement innovative techniques to advance
the provision of affordable, fair, healthy, and safe
housing for renters, homeowners, and the
homeless. By the end of year 2020, adopt a
strategic housing plan tailored to achieve this
goal.
HHS-A: Adopt best available housing practices and
implement innovative techniques to advance the
provision of affordable, fair, healthy, and safe
housing for renters, homeowners, and the
unhoused.
Revised for inclusive language.
2 HHS-B: Ensure a variety of housing types are
available within the City that meet the needs of
the present without compromising the needs of
future generations.
HHS-B: Ensure availability of a variety of housing
types that meet all housing needs equitably and
sustainably
Revised for clarity.
3 HHS-H: Actively work to increase the availability
of healthy, equitable, and affordable housing for
people in all demographic groups and at all
income levels and promote a balance of housing
and the amenities needed by residents at a
neighborhood level, such as childcare, availability
of fresh food, recreational opportunities, and
medical care.
HHS-H: Increase the availability of safe, equitable,
and affordable housing for people in all
demographic groups and at all income levels and
promote a balance of housing and the amenities
needed by residents at a neighborhood level, such
as childcare, availability of fresh food, recreational
opportunities, and medical care.
Moved from previous “mobility” section. Revised to
remove extraneous clause and to align with current
policy intent.
4 -- HHS-X: Provide sufficient capacity to accommodate
the 20-year housing growth targets at all income
bands.
Added goal to meet GMA requirements.
Element Review ▪ Housing and Human Services ▪ Sustainable, Inclusive, and Safe Housing
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE 2024 9 Draft 3.0 Draft Revised: May 30, 2024
Row
# 2015 Goal Proposed Language Change Purpose or Rationale
5 -- HHS-X: Implement policies and practices to address
and undo racial disparities and exclusion in housing
and promote equitable housing ownership and
rental housing opportunities.
Added goal to meet GMA requirements.
6 -- HHS-X: Track housing outcomes for meeting housing
targets for all economic segments and addressing
and undoing racially disparate impacts, and
mitigating hardships related to displacement.
Participate in regional data tracking and report
metrics in periodic updates for the Comprehensive
Plan.
Added goal to meet GMA requirements.
7 HHS-C: Increase the stability of neighborhoods by
fostering long-term homeownership, property
maintenance, and investments in existing
housing.
HHS-C: Mitigate displacement pressure caused by
market forces by fostering homeownership
opportunity and encouraging investments in existing
housing.
Moved from previous section on “Preservation.”
Modified to focus on mitigating displacement to
make the policy intent clear and align with GMA
requirements.
Element Review ▪ Housing and Human Services ▪ Sustainable, Inclusive, and Safe Housing
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE 2024 10 Draft 3.0 Draft Revised: May 30, 2024
Policies
Table 2. Sustainable, Inclusive, and Safe Housing Policies
Row
# 2015 Policy Proposed Language Change Purpose or Rationale
1 Policy HHS-3: Work with other jurisdictions and
organizations, including the Renton Housing
Authority and non-profit housing developers, to
address the need for housing to be affordable to
very low-income households. This housing should
focus on accessibility, mobility, and proximity to
social services.
Policy HHS-3: Work with other jurisdictions and
organizations, including the Renton Housing
Authority, the South King County Housing and
Homelessness Partners, and non-profit housing
developers, to address the need for housing to be
affordable to extremely low, very low, and moderate-
income households. This housing should focus on
accessibility, mobility, and proximity to social
services.
Updated to include Renton’s participations in the
regional affordable housing partnership and to
match statute language for affordable housing.
2 Policy HHS-5: Work collaboratively with local,
regional, state, and federal public and private
sector entities to enhance resources and secure
financial and other types of support for housing
programs.
Policy HHS-5: Work with local, regional, state, and
federal public and private sector entities to enhance
resources and secure financial and other types of
support for housing programs.
Revised to remove extraneous phrase.
3 Policy HHS-2: Collaborate with financial
institutions, organizations, and individuals who
provide affordable housing to acquire and
rehabilitate foreclosed units to be used as long-
term affordable or subsidized housing.
Policy HHS-2: Collaborate with financial institutions,
organizations, and individuals who provide
affordable housing to acquire and rehabilitate
foreclosed units to be used as long-term affordable
or subsidized housing.
No change proposed.
4 Policy HHS-6: Implement inclusionary zoning
provisions and other techniques that result in a
range of housing types, at different densities, and
prices in new developments that address the
housing needs of all people at all stages of life,
including vulnerable populations.
Policy HHS-6: Implement zoning provisions and
other techniques that allow for a range of housing
types, at different densities, and prices that address
the housing needs of all people, at all affordability
levels, at all stages of life, including vulnerable
populations.
Revised to align with current state law.
Element Review ▪ Housing and Human Services ▪ Sustainable, Inclusive, and Safe Housing
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE 2024 11 Draft 3.0 Draft Revised: May 30, 2024
Row
# 2015 Policy Proposed Language Change Purpose or Rationale
5 Policy HHS-9: Foster and locate new housing in
proximity to Employment Centers and streets that
have public transportation systems in place, and
complements existing housing.
Policy HHS-9: Encourage new housing, including
affordable and special needs housing, in walking
distance to Employment Centers, shopping, and
streets with existing and planned multimodal
transportation facilities.
Revised to remove “complements existing
housing” due to potential discriminatory impacts.
Revised to broaden public transportation to
include active transportation.
6 Policy HHS-10: In collaboration with the County,
other cities, and community stakeholders,
develop strategies to achieve a diverse housing
stock that is affordable for the following
minimum percentages of the City’s households:
Total Households AMI
12 % Below 30% (very low-income)
12 % 30 to 50% (low-income)
16 % 51 to 80% (moderate-income)
Policy HHS-10: In collaboration with the County, the
South King Housing and Homelessness Partners,
Regional Housing Authority, other cities, and
community stakeholders, develop strategies to
achieve a diverse housing stock that meets
Renton’s housing targets for each economic
segment.
Updated to align with current GMA and King County
Countywide Planning Policies.
Made specific mention of SKHHP and RHA.
7 Policy HHS-23: Support the link between land
development and physical activity by increasing
options for transit use, walking, and bicycling,
such as providing physical connections between
residential areas and schools and/or commercial
development.
Strike addressed in the transportation and land
use elements.
8 Policy HHS-24: Support the development of
housing and neighborhoods that are sited,
designed, constructed, and maintained to
promote environmentally healthy and safe living.
“Environmental heath,” in this context, includes
factors of the natural and built environment that
affect human health, such as physical, chemical,
and biological factors external to a person.
Policy HHS-24: Support the development of housing
and neighborhoods that are sited, designed,
constructed, and maintained to promote an
environment that supports healthy and safe living.
Revised for clarity and to remove “environmental
health” definition due to potential confusion with
the term being applied in other elements of the
plan with different meaning (i.e., climate).
Element Review ▪ Housing and Human Services ▪ Sustainable, Inclusive, and Safe Housing
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE 2024 12 Draft 3.0 Draft Revised: May 30, 2024
Row
# 2015 Policy Proposed Language Change Purpose or Rationale
9 Policy HHS-25: Plan and construct a
transportation system that links residents to
services, such as childcare, healthcare, and
places of work. Transportation systems should
include opportunities for various modes of
transportation, including automobiles, public
transit, walking, and cycling.
Policy HHS-25: Plan and construct a transportation
system that links residents to services, such as
childcare, healthcare, and places of work.
Transportation systems should include opportunities
for various modes of transportation, including
vehicles, public transit, walking, and cycling.
Updated for consistency in word choice.
10 Policy HHS-26: Encourage construction of
universally designed units, supportive housing
arrangements, and transitional housing in close
proximity (within one-quarter mile) to public
transportation.
Policy HHS-26: Encourage construction of
universally designed units, supportive housing
arrangements, and transitional housing in close
proximity (within one-quarter mile) to public
transportation.
No change proposed.
11 Policy HHS-8: Continue to allow Accessory
Dwelling Units in single family residential areas
and ensure they are compatible with the existing
neighborhood.
Policy HHS-8: Support the development of
accessory dwelling units in residential areas and
ensure they are compatible with neighborhood
design standards.
Strengthened to align with new requirements and
revised for consistent capitalization and to reduce
subjectivity.
12 Policy HHS-14: Provide technical assistance and
access to resources for housing adaptations and
remodels to allow people to age or remain in
place as their circumstances change.
Policy HHS-14: Provide technical assistance and
access to resources for housing adaptations and
remodels to allow people to age or remain in place
as their circumstances change.
Moved from previous section on housing
preservation.
13 -- Policy HHS-X: Expand anti-displacement strategies in
collaboration with residents and community
organizations.
Added policy to address displacement.
14 Policy HHS-1: Provide resource assistance to
potential new homeowners, homeowners facing
foreclosure, and others in danger of losing their
housing.
Policy HHS-1: Prevent household displacement and
encourage households to enter homeownership by
referring households to resources and supporting
housing assistance providers.
Revised policy to more clearly focus on
displacement prevention.
15 Policy HHS-4: Promote homeownership
opportunities for households of all incomes.
Policy HHS-4: Promote homeownership
opportunities for households of all incomes.
No change proposed.
Element Review ▪ Housing and Human Services ▪ Sustainable, Inclusive, and Safe Housing
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE 2024 13 Draft 3.0 Draft Revised: May 30, 2024
Row
# 2015 Policy Proposed Language Change Purpose or Rationale
16 Policy HHS-7: Continue to regulate manufactured
housing the same as site built housing. Also,
maintain manufactured housing developments
that meet the following criteria:
1) The development provides market rate
housing alternatives for moderate- and low-
income households.
2) The housing is maintained and certified as
built to the International Building Code and
Federal Department of Housing and Urban
Development standards.
3) Site planning includes pedestrian amenities,
landscaping, and a community facility.
Policy HHS-7: Regulate manufactured housing the
same as site-built housing and apply manufactured
home park zoning to reduce risk of conversion of
Manufactured Home Parks to other uses when
developments meet the following criteria:
1) The development provides market rate housing
alternatives for moderate-low-, and very low-income
households.
2) The housing is maintained and certified as built to
the International Building Code and Federal
Department of Housing and Urban Development
standards.
3) Site planning includes pedestrian amenities,
landscaping, and a community facility.
Revised to remove extraneous clauses and
incorporate inclusive language.
17 Policy HHS-11: Utilize the City’s authority to
rehabilitate housing to prevent neighborhood
blight or eliminate unsound structures.
Policy HHS-11: Utilize the City’s authority to
rehabilitate housing to prevent health and safety
risks or eliminate unsound structures.
Moved from previous section on housing
preservation.
18 Policy HHS-12: Encourage expansion of programs
that result in home repair, weatherization, and
other energy-efficient improvements to owner-
occupied and rental housing, and promote
additional funding for these programs at the
state and federal level.
Policy HHS-12: Encourage expansion of programs
that result in home repair, weatherization, and other
energy-efficient improvements to owner-occupied
and rental housing, and promote additional funding
for these programs at the state and federal level.
Moved from previous section on housing
preservation.
Element Review ▪ Housing and Human Services ▪ Effective and Accessible Human Services Discussion 2024
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE 2024 14 Draft 3.0 Draft Revised: May 30, 2024
Effective and Accessible Human Services Discussion 2024
Human Services are those efforts targeted directly to individuals and families to meet basic needs and address a variety of physical, social, and economic needs. The
City of Renton has the following six priority areas that may change or expand as needs change.
Basic Needs. Includes food, clothing, housing stability services (such as rent and/or utility assistance), legal services, and meal programs.
Connector Services. Includes information and referral, transportation, advocacy, case management, cultural navigators, and other services that connect
residents to services.
Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Services. All services related to sexual assault and domestic violence, including legal assistance and shelter.
Economic Opportunity/Self Sufficiency. Includes job training; programs that help those with barriers to employment or other forms of economic opportunity
that can improve, prevent, or reduce needs for social service and housing supports; youth programs; mentoring; and after school programs.
Health and Wellness. Includes physical, mental, and dental health services, counseling, therapy, day health programs, and chore services.
Homeless Services/Housing. Includes shelters, homeless outreach, transitional housing, and emergency housing.
Human services must address the diverse and emerging needs of the community through a complete system of services. The City continuously engages service
providers and community organizations in dialogue regarding the functioning of the present service systems, The City’s plays five primary roles in community
partnerships that promote safety, health, and security and are inclusive, integrated, respectful of cultural and linguistic differences, foster equity and dignity, and
provide emotional support for vulnerable and marginalized residents.
Inspire: Highlight programs and providers that are making a difference and advocate for increased funding and attention to the issues.
Understand and Evaluate: Assess community needs on an ongoing basis, including through broad stakeholder engagement and tracking reported outcomes
from agencies that receive funding.
Educate: Communicate an understanding of community needs to stakeholders and promote available resources and solutions.
Connect: Build a network of internal and external stakeholders through convening and referrals, and advocate for and support a systems approach to
meeting community needs.
Invest: Prioritize the allocation of public funds to responsively address community needs, with a focus on prevention and stabilization for residents in crisis.
The Human Services Division distributes general funds to local non-profit organizations to serve the needs of Renton residents. The City partners with schools,
businesses, libraries, service providers, local faith-based entities, and others to address the human service needs of Renton residents. The City participates in local
and regional human service efforts to address needs in the community.
Element Review ▪ Housing and Human Services ▪ Effective and Accessible Human Services Discussion 2024
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE 2024 15 Draft 3.0 Draft Revised: May 30, 2024
Goals
Table 3. Effective and Accessible Human Services Goals
Row
# 2015 Goal Proposed Language Change Purpose or Rationale
1 HHS-F: Enable individuals to meet their basic
physical, economic, and social needs by
promoting an effective and equitable human
services delivery system that enhances their
quality of life.
HHS-F: Promote an effective and equitable human
services delivery system that assists all community
members in meeting their basic physical, economic,
and social needs and enhances their quality of life.
Revised for clarity.
2 HHS-E: Actively participate in local, regional,
state, and federal programs to address human
services needs in the region and in Renton.
Moved to policies.
3 HHS-D: Partner with the community to help
provide services and resources so that all
residents have food, clothing, and shelter, and
have the opportunity to live a healthy, active,
safe, and sustainable lifestyle. To achieve this
goal, adopt a strategic human services plan that
furthers the ability of residents to develop to their
fullest potential.
Moved to policies.
Policies
Table 4. Effective and Accessible Human Services Policies
Row
#
2015 Policy Proposed Language Change Purpose or Rationale
1 -- Policy HHS-XX: Actively participate in local,
regional, state, and federal programs to address
human services needs in the region and in
Renton.
Policy HHS-XX: Participate in local, regional, state,
and federal programs to address human services
needs in the region and in Renton.
Revised to remove extraneous clause.
Element Review ▪ Housing and Human Services ▪ Effective and Accessible Human Services Discussion 2024
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE 2024 16 Draft 3.0 Draft Revised: May 30, 2024
Row
#
2015 Policy Proposed Language Change Purpose or Rationale
2 -- Policy HHS-XX: Partner with the community to
help provide services and resources so that all
residents have food, clothing, and shelter, and
have the opportunity to live a healthy, active,
safe, and sustainable lifestyle. To achieve this
goal, adopt a strategic human services plan that
furthers the ability of residents to develop to their
fullest potential.
Policy HHS-XX: Partner with the community to help
provide services and resources so that all residents
have access to food, clothing, and shelter, and an
opportunity to live a healthy, active, safe, and
sustainable lifestyle.
Revised to remove extraneous clause.
3 Policy HHS-XX: Encourage a network of human
services that are easily accessible and in
proximity to public transportation options.
Policy HHS-XX: Encourage a network of human
services for the diverse needs of Renton’s residents
that are easily accessible and in proximity to public
transportation options.
Revised to emphasize human services that
respond to Renton’s diverse needs.
Kept reference to transit to keep policy aligned to
Land Use Element and PSRC Vision 2050
Policy HHS-XX. Raise awareness of community
housing and human services needs through
conducting timely Community Conditions
assessments, disseminating community data to
partners and stakeholders, and collaborating with
partners to identify and respond to changing needs
and demographics in Renton.
Reflects draft Human Services Strategic Plan
Initiative #1 (bullets 1 & 2), Initiative #2 (bullets 4),
Initiative #3 (bullets 3 and 4)
Policy HHS-XX. Participate in the Human Services
Funding Collaborative (HSFC) to support regional
coordination for addressing human service needs
and increase accessibility of human service funding
for services providers.
Reflects draft Human Services Strategic Plan
prescribed funding process.
Addresses KC CPP PF-18
Element Review ▪ Housing and Human Services ▪ Effective and Accessible Human Services Discussion 2024
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE 2024 17 Draft 3.0 Draft Revised: May 30, 2024
Row
#
2015 Policy Proposed Language Change Purpose or Rationale
Policy HHS-XX. Foster a culture of inclusivity and
address barriers to service access through
scholarships and reduced fees for city programs,
translation and interpretation services, improved
referral processes, and maintain updated
community resource lists.
Reflects draft Human Services Strategic Plan
Initiative #2 and the current Renton Business Plan
Addresses C CPP FW-6: Enable culturally and
linguistically appropriate equitable access to
programs and services and help connect residents
to service options, particularly for those most
disproportionately cost-burdened or historically
excluded.
Policy HHS-XX: Encourage a network of human
services for the diverse needs of Renton’s residents
that are easily accessible and in proximity to public
transportation options.
Reflects draft Human Services Strategic Plan
prescribed funding process.
Table 5. Housing Preservation Policies
Row
# 2015 Policy Proposed Language Change Purpose or Rationale
3 Policy HHS-13: Promote housing development in
proximity to the City’s Employment Centers and
other areas of the City that have jobs and work
opportunities, or the potential for future job
growth.
Covered by goals listed under Sustainable,
Inclusive, and Safe Housing
Element Review ▪ Housing and Human Services ▪ Effective and Accessible Human Services Discussion 2024
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE 2024 18 Draft 3.0 Draft Revised: May 30, 2024
Table 6. Mobility Goals
Row
# 2015 Goal Proposed Language Change Purpose or Rationale
1 HHS-G: Make land use decisions that provide
increased options for healthy living in Renton.
Removed due to redundancy with other Housing
Element and Land Use Element goals.
3 HHS-I: Improve mobility and transportation
options for Renton residents to increase access
to jobs and services, reduce household costs,
and maintain a sustainable lifestyle.
Removed due to redundancy with Land Use and
Climate Element goals.