Status - On April 21, 2026, city staff will brief the City Council on pilot program options and gather feedback before proceeding to Planning Commission.
Housing on Faith-Owned Land Pilot Program
Project Overview
State law requires the City of Kirkland to create rules that make it easier for faith communities to build affordable workforce housing on their properties. However, state law is not specific in what those rules need to be. This planning project will explore ways to create more affordable and diverse housing options throughout Kirkland in support of the City Council’s Goals of having attainable housing and vibrant neighborhoods.
Over the next several months, City staff will be studying this topic and engaging the community to learn more about how to implement this state law here in Kirkland. This project will result in a pilot program adopted by the City Council into the zoning code, with the intention of further testing whether this approach to building more housing will be helpful. If it is determined to be helpful, then the City Council may, at a future time, adopt more permanent regulations.
Why This Matters
Housing throughout Washington, and especially in King County, has become increasingly unaffordable. Many residents in Kirkland are struggling to find and keep homes within their budget. This project explores how best to implement state law to create new opportunities for housing development on faith community-owned land. The hope is that creating new opportunities for more housing will help ensure that Kirkland remains a place where people of all income levels can live and thrive.
Key Considerations
The potential for more diverse housing on faith community-owned properties aligns with the City Council Goals of having attainable housing and vibrant neighborhoods. Creating a pilot program like this is also supported by several Comprehensive Plan policies including:
Policies
- Support equitable, sustainable development in Kirkland
- LU-2.1: Support a range of development intensities in Kirkland that enables development to accommodate growth and supports equitable access to housing and jobs, while recognizing and protecting environmentally sensitive areas.
- Encouraging Infill and Redevelopment of Underutilized Land
- LU-2.2: Facilitate infill development and encourage redevelopment of underutilized land.
- Accelerating Housing Capacity Solutions for Residents Below 50% AMI
- H-1.1: Prioritize regulatory and programmatic reforms to urgently bridge gaps in the city’s housing land capacity for households at or below 50% AMI while also taking into consideration surrounding neighborhood conditions, both in terms of infrastructure and service availability and amenity capacity where this housing is located.
- Flexible Regulations in Exchange for Public Benefits on Faith and Non‑Profit Properties
- H-1.6: Create a program that allows faith-based, or other non-profit and community-based organizations, to create customized development regulations for their properties in exchange for providing substantial public benefits, including affordable housing. The customized regulations and associated public benefits must be considered by Planning Commission and ultimately approved by City Council on a property-specific basis. The City must provide comprehensive public notice to surrounding properties of any proposed changes and associated public benefits. Preference should be given to projects with deep levels of housing affordability that provide space for continued operation of the faith-based and other community organizations.
By making it easier for faith communities to build affordable workforce housing on their properties, there’s potential to add stock to the broader housing market with the intention of helping ease the cost of housing in Kirkland and the region.
However, based on recent planning efforts like the Comprehensive Plan, City staff are mindful that some residents might have concerns with apartment buildings or other types of housing coming into neighborhoods that have historically only been houses. Specifically, some neighbors might be concerned that taller buildings don’t fit in with what they’ve come to expect their neighborhood to look like, that there might be more traffic, or that new housing options might lower their property value.
City staff will be studying all these issues and more as part of this project and will add information to this project webpage regularly throughout the project.
Tell Us What You Think!
Please share your questions or comments:
- Contact staff directly via Our Kirkland
- Attend a City Council or Planning Commission Meeting in person or online
- Housing Developer & Faith Community Partnership Survey
Freaquently Asked Questions
- Why faith-owned land?
Faith-based organizations often have underutilized land that can be repurposed for housing. By creating clear, predictable rules, the City can help these organizations contribute to affordable housing without requiring expensive land purchases.
- Will this change the character of my neighborhood?
The project focuses on adding housing in high-opportunity neighborhoods while minimizing displacement and maintaining quality design standards. Any future development will go through site-specific review to ensure compatibility with surrounding areas.
- Will property values go down?
Initial research indicates that well-designed affordable housing typically does not negatively impact property values. In fact, adding housing options can strengthen neighborhoods by supporting local businesses and reducing commute burdens.
- Does this give faith-based organizations special treatment?
No. The City is creating a clear and equitable regulatory pathway for faith-based organizations because they own land that is uniquely suited for housing development. This approach aligns with state law and Kirkland’s housing goals.
- Will this increase traffic or parking problems?
Any future housing projects will be reviewed for traffic and parking impacts. The City will ensure that development is consistent with transportation planning and neighborhood safety.
- What happens after the zoning changes?
If adopted, the City will launch a pilot program to test and refine the approach before scaling up. This ensures lessons learned are incorporated and community feedback continues to shape the program.
Meeting Information
View Planning Commission (PC) and City Council meeting packet information by clicking on the appropraite tab below.