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Five insights into Bellingham’s housing challenges

Stories by Bellingham Herald journalists, with AI summarization

These curated articles on Bellingham's housing challenges highlight significant hurdles and the innovative measures being pursued to address them. Common among the articles is the focus on addressing housing shortages and affordability through legal, community, and governmental initiatives.

A lawsuit challenges Bellingham's short-term rental restrictions, arguing they infringe on constitutional rights. Homeowners in the city now have the option to participate in a room share program, which helps fill empty bedrooms and offers renters more housing options. A new ballot proposal aims to protect tenants from landlord retaliation, especially when they take collective action or report unsafe conditions. To expand affordable housing, the Bellingham mayor advocates for measures like a new tiny home village and streamlined permitting processes.

The Jake luxury apartments are currently under construction on Elwood Avenue on Sept. 20, 2023, in Bellingham, Wash. Residents are expected to move in on June 1, 2024. By Rachel Showalter

NO. 1: CAN YOUR LANDLORD RENOVATE YOUR APARTMENT WHILE YOU’RE UNDER LEASE? WHAT WA STATE LAW SAYS

Whether or not your landlord can kick you out to renovate depends on the type of lease you have. Here’s when it’s allowed and when it isn’t. | Published July 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Daniel Schrager

NO. 2: BELLINGHAM MAYOR TAKES STEPS TO ADVANCE RANGE OF NEW HOUSING, INCLUDING NEW TINY HOME VILLAGE

Mayor Lund: 28,000 to 41,000 new housing units are needed countywide over the next 20 years. | Published November 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Robert Mittendorf

Collecting signature for intiave

NO. 3: BELLINGHAM BALLOT PROPOSAL WOULD SHIELD TENANTS FROM LANDLORDS’ RETALIATION

Proposed measure guarantees certain rights and adds provisions for enforcement and penalties. | Published May 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Robert Mittendorf

Mayor Kim Lund’s executive order will promote so-called “middle” housing such as the townhouses shown in an undated handout photo on Peabody Street in Bellingham, Wash. By Robert Mittendorf

NO. 4: BELLINGHAM HOMEOWNERS CAN HELP TACKLE HOUSING CRISIS WITH ROOM SHARE PROGRAM

The program is one of many efforts by the city to address local housing availability and affordability challenges. | Published June 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rachel Showalter

Whatcom County Courthouse on April 23, 2024, in Bellingham, Wash. By Rachel Showalter

NO. 5: LAWSUIT CLAIMS BELLINGHAM’S SHORT-TERM RENTAL RESTRICTIONS ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL

Current law says ADUs can be licensed as short-term rentals only if they are attached to the main residence. | Published June 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Hannah Edelman

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.