Housing for the working class

Home in Tacoma (HiT) was a landmark achievement, the result of five years of meticulous planning, policy reform, and community engagement. By rezoning two-thirds of the city and overhauling single-family zoning, HiT has cleared the path for much-needed housing development. However, as the Planning Commission warned in their final recommendation, this effort alone cannot guarantee housing affordability across all income levels. While HiT sets the stage for building homes for higher-income households and those at the lower end of the economic spectrum, it leaves one part of our community out in the cold: the working class.

Ryan Packer, writing for The Urbanist, highlight's how Washington Governor Bob Ferguson is emphasizing Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) as a strategy to address housing needs at more income levels. TOD is more than just a planning buzzword; it’s a lifeline for working-class families struggling to make ends meet. By prioritizing dense, mixed-income housing near transit corridors, cities can create communities where residents spend less on housing and transportation and more on essentials like food, healthcare, and education.

The benefits of TOD are profound:

• Affordability: Lower transportation costs mean lower overall living expenses.
• Inclusivity: Mixed-income developments ensure that working-class families aren’t priced out.
• Sustainability: Walkable neighborhoods reduce carbon footprints, improve public health and foster community connections.

If we fail to invest in Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), the consequences will disproportionately harm working-class families, students, seniors, and people with disabilities. Without access to affordable housing near transit, essential workers—such as teachers, nurses, and service workers—will be forced to live farther from their jobs, enduring longer commutes that consume valuable time and scarce resources and contribute to unnecessary traffic congestion. This would create a city where only the wealthy and those in subsidized housing can afford stable homes, while working-class families are potentially displaced to the margins. It would result in a fundamental change to Tacoma's character as an inclusive and diverse community.

The solution requires intentional action: pairing recent zoning reforms with robust TOD investments, including expanded transit service, social housing, and a community land trust. These efforts ensure that housing development is not just about numbers but about building equitable, sustainable communities where everyone can thrive.

To further advance housing affordability and equity, Tacoma should adopt three critical reforms. First, decoupling parking costs from rent allows residents to opt out of paying for spaces they don’t need, especially if they rely on public transit—a change that directly reduces housing expenses for low-income families. Second, extending housing and parking reforms to commercial zoning can spur mixed-use developments, integrating residential and commercial spaces and can put vacant parking lots to productive use. This approach not only reduces commuting distances but also supports local businesses and fosters vibrant, self-sufficient neighborhoods where residents can live, work, and play. Finally, prioritizing public housing investments along frequent transit corridors ensures that affordable housing is strategically located in areas with excellent transit access, further reducing transportation costs and enhancing overall affordability.

These reforms are essential to complement the Home in Tacoma initiative and its focus on Missing Middle Housing. By implementing these measures, the city can ensure that housing is not only built but remains within reach for working-class families, fostering equitable and sustainable communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Transit-Oriented Development isn’t optional—it’s a necessity for creating a fair and inclusive housing market. Tacoma must act now to guarantee that every worker and their family has a stable place to call home.