A Regional Coalition for Housing

ARCH is a partnership of the County and East King County Cities who have joined together to assist with preserving and increasing the supply of housing for low– and moderate-income households in the region. ARCH assists member governments in developing housing policies, strategies, programs, and development regulations; coordinates the cities' financial support to groups creating affordable housing for low– and moderate-income households; and assists people looking for affordable rental and ownership housing.

ARCH's member governments have supported a wide range of housing created and operated by local organizations and private developers that serve individuals, families, seniors, the homeless, and persons with special needs."

 

East King County governments working together to create housing opportunities.

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OUR MISSION

To preserve and increase the supply of housing for low and moderate income households in East King County by:

• Coordinating public resources in a way that will attract greater private and not-for-profit investment into affordable housing;
  
  
• Pooling technical resources between jurisdictions to assist in the development and implementation of housing policies and programs;
  
  
• Providing expert assistance to local organizations interested in becoming active in affordable housing provision;
  
  
• Providing on-going community involvement, information, and leadership directed towards housing needs, and;
  
  
• Providing information to the community on local housing issues.

ASSISTING OUR MEMBERS

Directly assist below-market rate housing

• Award loans and grants to developments that provide below-market rate housing. Since 1993, the ARCH Housing Trust Fund has funded over 3,250 units of East King County housing for families, seniors, and persons with special needs. See Housing Trust Fund section of the ARCH web-site for a complete list of ARCH Trust Fund Projects.
• Make surplus public land available for housing
• Waive impact and permit fees.

Habitat's Newcastle project received $190,000 of ARCH funding, including over  $28,000 in waived permit fees granted by the City of Newcastle.

 

Develop housing policies and regulations

• Develop policies and strategies in Land Use and Housing Elements of Comprehensive Plans
• Create neighborhood plans such as Overlake in Redmond and North Rose Hill in Kirkland
• Develop regulations to permit accessory dwelling units (mother-in-law apartments) and senior housing
• Provide density bonuses for developments that include below-market rate housing

Many ARCH cities have adopted regulations to allow Accessory Dwelling Units.

 

Implement and administer housing programs

• Prepare and monitor contracts for funded projects so affordability is maintained and, if applicable, loan payments are made
• Negotiate provisions for below-market rate housing in market rate developments
• Assist people looking for below-market ownership and rental housing. See Renters and Homebuyers sections of the ARCH web site for more information.
• Oversee resales of below-market ownership homes
• Track local housing production annually

Satomi in Bellevue includes four townhome units affordable to households earning 90% of area median income.

 

Engage the broader community on local housing issues

• Participate in discussions about housing at meetings and public forums
• Generate educational information for the public including brochures (ARCH programs, housing opportunities and accessory dwelling units), the ARCH web site, ARCH housing tours and other outreach programs.
• Make community awards to publicly recognize individuals, projects and programs that result in outstanding housing efforts. See the Awards section of the ARCH web site for more information.

ARCH's Community Housing Recognition Awards recognize programs, people and projects that make a positive contribution to housing in our community.

 

The ARCH Housing Trust Fund
The primary means by which ARCH members assist in creating and preserving housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income households.  The Housing Trust Fund awards loans and grants to Eastside developments that include below-market rate housing.  Between 1993 and 2011, ARCH member jurisdictions committed over $34 million to this fund, including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and General Funds.  Also included in this amount is over $7 million in contributions of land, fee-waivers and other in-kind donations.  Since 1993, the ARCH Housing Trust Fund has funded over 3,250 units of East King County housing for families, seniors, and persons with special needs. Key program features:

• Funding is made available as loans or grants depending on affordability levels and other funding sources.
• Projects receiving local funds sign covenants ensuring affordability levels are maintained long term.
• Types of projects include: rental and ownership housing for lower income families; senior housing; homeless and transitional housing; and housing for persons with special needs.
• See ARCH web site Housing Trust Fund page for a complete list of projects funded, and ARCH Sample Portfolio page for pictures and descriptions of funded projects.

Evergreen Court Senior housing in Bellevue is one of 4 ARCH Trust Fund categories, including: rental and ownership housing for lower income families; senior housing; homeless and transitional housing and housing for persons with special needs.

Learn more about what ARCH does in this printable brochure.