Seattle Times columnist Jonathan Martin recently wrote a column advocating for adopting impact fees in Seattle, arguing that “growth doesn’t pay for growth.” That statement is simply not true. New development already generates other taxes and fees, such as the REET and sales taxes, which pay for transportation, infrastructure, and other priorities.

Our association is concerned about the effect of any added fee on housing costs, especially in light of our current housing affordability crisis. Housing affordability is a concern throughout our region and while the developer or builder initially pays the impact fee for new construction in jurisdictions that charge these fees, it is almost always added on to the sale price of the home. Any additional fees would likely be passed along to buyers or renters, further driving up home prices and rents at a time when housing costs are already skyrocketing. New homebuyers would be forced to pay for the fee with interest over the life of their mortgage.

The reality is that impact fees disproportionately affect new homebuyers, especially those at or below the median family income. The increasing use of impact fees and the costs that they add to development raises serious concerns about the effect of using impact fees to fund infrastructure will have on the affordability of housing.

Furthermore, impact fees are a one-time-only assessment and will never replace other fees/taxes in being a good, stable source of revenue. The city would be better served if a more stable type of user fee were used.

Help a service organization in your community!

MBAKS is currently accepting applications for our 15th Anniversary of Painting a Better Tomorrow.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to help a service organization in your community get their environment spruced up with a new coat of paint! We will be accepting applications for this year's event until July 31.

We're especially excited for this year's event, taking place on November 18 at a location to be determined, as 2017 marks 15 years of helping our community members brighten their days (and walls)! We encourage all service organizations in King and Snohomish counties to apply. We are aware that the aesthetic improvements of painting are also the easiest costs to cut from the annual budget in order to provide funding for crucial service needs to the community. To be considered, the organization must have a space that's in need of upkeep. That's it! Oh, and they also have to apply. We'll do the rest.

We ask you to reach out to organizations in your community and get an application in their hands. And make sure they get their application in by July 31!

Just think—by Thanksgiving, one local organization will be sitting in a beautiful, freshly painted space with one more item crossed off their 2018 budget.

Organizations can apply online or by contacting Michell Filleau-Maas, 425.460.8232 or mfilleau-maas@mbaks.com.

Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) members, elected officials, and city staff gathered at the Bellevue Club on May 20 for our annual King County Elected Officials Reception. 

The event featured remarks from special guest Redmond Mayor Angela Birney, who highlighted steps the city has taken to expand housing choices. Redmond has been working to lower barriers to the full spectrum of homes needed to meet residents’ needs as the city grows and to leverage its access to light rail.

Attendees also heard from Dalton Smith — MBAKS’s King County Builders Council Chair and Director of Land Operations at Conner Homes — who reinforced that our members want to be partners with local jurisdictions in our shared work to make home happen.

Housing Champion Awards

MBAKS recognized Mayor Birney and Redmond’s Planning & Community Development Director Carol Hellend with Housing Champion Awards for their dedicated work on behalf of housing over the years. In presenting the awards, MBAKS Government Affairs Director Jennifer Anderson commended Mayor Birney and Director Hellend for being valued partners and leaders on housing.

Key Takeaways

Executive Director Jerry Hall closed the program with reminders about the importance of weighing the impacts of each new policy on housing and considering whether it will help or hinder the ability to build new homes.

In case you missed it, see our Middle Housing Barriers & Solutions resource we shared at the event, designed to help local communities facilitate a range of housing types. And learn more about our Room for What Matters campaign.

Thank you to all the elected officials from across the region, city staff, and MBAKS members who joined us for this fun and informative gathering. If you missed this event, there’s still time to register for the Snohomish County Elected Officials Reception – June 17, 4:30–6:30 p.m. at Rosehill Community Center, Mukilteo.