Bellevue and Kirkland advance plans to spur affordable housing, commercial development

Both Bellevue and Kirkland are taking major steps in a bid to create more affordable housing and mixed-used neighborhoods with an array of pedestrian amenities.

The Bellevue City Council on Tuesday unanimously tweaked both zoning and land use codes to encourage more housing and support walkable, mixed-use retail and commercial areas throughout the city. The changes seek to remove barriers to housing development and expand affordable housing options.

They’re an update to the city’s “Housing in Mixed-Use Areas" plan initially launched in 2022 in response to office development outpacing housing. Since then, the city notes, “the office market has shifted,” and the plan now emphasizes mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly development.

By 2044, the city aims to add approximately 29,000 units of affordable housing for those earning 80% or less of the area median income to meet expected housing needs.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2026/03/22/bellevue-kirkland-affordable-housing-retail.html