Skamania County and The City of Stevenson, through an interlocal agreement, are in the middle of a Periodic update required by the State of Washington. This includes Critical Area Ordinance Update, Natural Resource Lands Designations and STEP Housing Requirements. This project has a deadline of December 31st, 2026.
Critical Areas include the following; Wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, geologically hazardous areas, critical aquifer recharge areas, frequently flooded areas and the buffers that apply to all areas listed above.
Natural Resource lands typically fall under three types. Mineral Resource Lands, Agricultural Lands, and Forest Lands.
STEP Housing (Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing, Emergency Housing, Permanent Supportive Housing) are defined:
•Emergency Shelters: A facility that provides temporary shelter for individuals or families who are currently homeless. May not require occupants to enter into lease or occupancy agreements. May include day and warming centers without overnight accommodations.
•Emergency Housing – Temporary indoor accommodations for individuals or families who are homeless or at imminent risk that are intended to address basic needs. May not require lease or occupancy agreements.
•Transitional Housing – A project that provides housing and support services to homeless persons or families for up to two years and has as its purpose to facilitate movement of homeless persons into independent living.
•Permanent Supportive Housing – Subsidized or leased housing with no limit on length of stay and includes comprehensive support services to retain tenancy and has lower barriers to entry related to rental history. Includes support services for behavioral health or physical health.
The State of Washington requires the following:
•Cities (Stevenson only)
Cannot prohibit transitional shelter or permanent supportive housing in zones where hotels or residences are allowed.
-Zones: R1, R2, R3, MHR, SR, C1, M1, PR, ED
•Cannot prohibit indoor emergency shelter or housing in any zone that allows hotels
-R3, SR, CR, C1, M1, PR, ED
•Cities and Counties (Skamania and Stevenson)
•Cannot adopt moratoriums for STEP housing permits
Further information/content is coming soon.
