Trending...
- ResC4EU Final Event at KOMPOZYT-EXPO 2026 – Building Resilient European Supply Chains
- City of Tacoma Invites Community Members to Share Their Experience Crossing I-5
- City of Tacoma Awarded Competitive State Grant to Evaluate Residential Development Regulations and Permit Processing Times
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2021
MEDIA CONTACTS
Tanisha Jumper, Media and Communications,tjumper@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5152
Maria Lee, Media and Communications, maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2054
Tacoma City Council Votes to Adopt Proposed Changes
to Multifamily Property Tax Exemption Program
TACOMA, Wash. – On November 9, 2021, the Tacoma City Council voted to adopt Resolution 40866 as amended, affirming proposed changes to the City's Multifamily Property Tax Exemption (MFTE) program. Resolution 40866 – sponsored by District 1 Council Member John Hines, At-Large Council Member Lillian Hunter, District 2 Council Member Robert Thoms and At-Large Council Member Kristina Walker – expands the geographic area where financial incentives will be allowed for the construction of multifamily housing that provides affordable units.
The Government Performance and Finance Committee (GPFC) had concluded its review of the City's MFTE program, and Council Member Hines had presented GPFC's recommendations at the Council Study Session, on November 2, 2021.
"I want to thank the members of GPFC for their diligence and commitment to a full examination of the MFTE policy in our committee," said Council Member Hines, chair of GPFC. "We began this discussion back in March, and I am proud that we took the time to give the policy its needed development time. I think the process we undertook – to engage the development and lending community, discuss multiple policy options, and stay focused on our goal of encouraging the development of affordable housing – can serve as a model for further committee work."
More on Washingtoner
"We know that Tacoma has an incredible need for more housing, especially affordable housing," said Council Member Walker. "The MFTE program continues to be a great tool to incentivize housing, and the work that GPFC did to expand opportunities – in conjunction with new state laws – will make a difference in the amount of affordable housing that is built in Tacoma."
"As the Economic Development Committee (EDC) chair, I am eager to expand the use of the MFTE program and appreciate the thoughtfulness of these changes," said Council Member Thoms. "The Council should continue to find ways to expand the use for more housing at all levels."
Outreach to the development community and input gathered from Tacoma residents have been substantial, and the changes to the City's MFTE program are projected to reduce inequities by accommodating residential growth in alignment with the requirements of the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA). The GMA is a series of state statutes, first adopted in 1990, that requires fast-growing cities and counties to develop a comprehensive plan to manage their population growth.
"I wanted to commend John Hines and GPFC for seeking feedback from the development community regarding the current and proposed structure of the City's MFTE program," said developer Cathy Reines. "It is rare for a city to seek out developer feedback before modifying policies that could impact new projects and by default, in this instance, affordable housing in the city. In this case, John not only sought out our opinion, but listened and developed a strategy that I believe to be in the best interests of the community as a whole."
More on Washingtoner
"I appreciate the opportunity to discuss and contribute to changes made to the City's MFTE program," said developer Steve Novotny. "This program will help establish more affordable housing in Tacoma, and gives developers a tremendous opportunity to partner with the City. I feel a tremendous commitment to the success of Tacoma, as it's been my home for over 35 years."
"I am excited the City is taking the time and reaching out to the community to see what will really make a difference in the housing needs for Tacoma," said developer Scott Carino.
"Affordable, attainable, and accessible housing are a clear need in Tacoma and a priority of this Council, and we must exercise all the tools available to us," said Mayor Victoria Woodards. "While MFTE's may have originally been created to drive development and economic growth, I believe we can use policies like this to advance our housing goals as well."
Details regarding the City's MFTE program are available on the City's website. Program questions can be directed to Debbie Bingham at dbingham@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-5117.
November 9, 2021
MEDIA CONTACTS
Tanisha Jumper, Media and Communications,tjumper@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5152
Maria Lee, Media and Communications, maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2054
Tacoma City Council Votes to Adopt Proposed Changes
to Multifamily Property Tax Exemption Program
TACOMA, Wash. – On November 9, 2021, the Tacoma City Council voted to adopt Resolution 40866 as amended, affirming proposed changes to the City's Multifamily Property Tax Exemption (MFTE) program. Resolution 40866 – sponsored by District 1 Council Member John Hines, At-Large Council Member Lillian Hunter, District 2 Council Member Robert Thoms and At-Large Council Member Kristina Walker – expands the geographic area where financial incentives will be allowed for the construction of multifamily housing that provides affordable units.
The Government Performance and Finance Committee (GPFC) had concluded its review of the City's MFTE program, and Council Member Hines had presented GPFC's recommendations at the Council Study Session, on November 2, 2021.
"I want to thank the members of GPFC for their diligence and commitment to a full examination of the MFTE policy in our committee," said Council Member Hines, chair of GPFC. "We began this discussion back in March, and I am proud that we took the time to give the policy its needed development time. I think the process we undertook – to engage the development and lending community, discuss multiple policy options, and stay focused on our goal of encouraging the development of affordable housing – can serve as a model for further committee work."
More on Washingtoner
- Hannk And Zubie Join Forces To Shape The Next Generation Of Connected Vehicle Telematics
- Coinfiliate Launches Platform to Helps Shoppers Earn Cashback and Creators Earn Referral Rewards
- CinderLabs Launches AIRA Governance MCP, Putting Live AI Compliance Posture Inside Claude
- Holiday Gambling Spending Expected to Rise 12% in December
- RAS AP Consulting Issues National Compliance Alert and Launches Q4 2026 AP Readiness Program Ahead of IRS FIRE → IRIS Cutover
"We know that Tacoma has an incredible need for more housing, especially affordable housing," said Council Member Walker. "The MFTE program continues to be a great tool to incentivize housing, and the work that GPFC did to expand opportunities – in conjunction with new state laws – will make a difference in the amount of affordable housing that is built in Tacoma."
"As the Economic Development Committee (EDC) chair, I am eager to expand the use of the MFTE program and appreciate the thoughtfulness of these changes," said Council Member Thoms. "The Council should continue to find ways to expand the use for more housing at all levels."
Outreach to the development community and input gathered from Tacoma residents have been substantial, and the changes to the City's MFTE program are projected to reduce inequities by accommodating residential growth in alignment with the requirements of the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA). The GMA is a series of state statutes, first adopted in 1990, that requires fast-growing cities and counties to develop a comprehensive plan to manage their population growth.
"I wanted to commend John Hines and GPFC for seeking feedback from the development community regarding the current and proposed structure of the City's MFTE program," said developer Cathy Reines. "It is rare for a city to seek out developer feedback before modifying policies that could impact new projects and by default, in this instance, affordable housing in the city. In this case, John not only sought out our opinion, but listened and developed a strategy that I believe to be in the best interests of the community as a whole."
More on Washingtoner
- Spokane Police Respond to Fatal Stabbing in Northeast Spokane
- Claude Zdanow named Managing Director in Miami, Florida
- Pregis Launches Sharp InfinX: On-Demand Rightsized Mailing System Delivering a Precision-Sized Mailer for Every Order
- netElastic Announces vBNG And CGNAT 2.0 General Availability
- Intelligence Daily Features "Producer Kirk Shaw: 90 Seconds to Make You Care"
"I appreciate the opportunity to discuss and contribute to changes made to the City's MFTE program," said developer Steve Novotny. "This program will help establish more affordable housing in Tacoma, and gives developers a tremendous opportunity to partner with the City. I feel a tremendous commitment to the success of Tacoma, as it's been my home for over 35 years."
"I am excited the City is taking the time and reaching out to the community to see what will really make a difference in the housing needs for Tacoma," said developer Scott Carino.
"Affordable, attainable, and accessible housing are a clear need in Tacoma and a priority of this Council, and we must exercise all the tools available to us," said Mayor Victoria Woodards. "While MFTE's may have originally been created to drive development and economic growth, I believe we can use policies like this to advance our housing goals as well."
Details regarding the City's MFTE program are available on the City's website. Program questions can be directed to Debbie Bingham at dbingham@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-5117.
0 Comments
Latest on Washingtoner
- Guardian Data Opens 42,000-Square-Foot Moonachie Facility, Doubling New Jersey Capacity
- Spokane: Indigenous Peoples' Day Is Oct. 12
- SecureMaine 2026 is Here -- Thursday October 8th!
- Tacoma: Homicide Investigation – 800 Pacific Avenue
- HW Foundation Opens Nominations for Inaugural 50 Under 50 in AI; Deadline Oct. 16
- Pavillon 30 Years of Addiction Recovery in Western North Carolina, Earns National Accreditation
- Safer Spokane
- Spokane: Special Investigation Unit Seized Large Amounts of Cash and Cocaine
- Spokane: U.S. Conference of Mayors, American Beverage Foundation Visit Youth Wellness Zone
- Spokane: Disabled Smoke Alarm Contributes to Fatal Tiki Lodge Fire
- Spokane Police Investigate Fatal Fire With Fire Department
- Spokane: SPD and SFD Respond to Early Morning Fire in Downtown Apartments
- City To Simplify Services by Routing Non-Emergency Police, Fire Calls through Spokane 311
- ResC4EU Final Event at KOMPOZYT-EXPO 2026 – Building Resilient European Supply Chains
- Tacoma: Update Fourth Homicide Arrest – 2100 block of N 30th St
- City of Tacoma Invites Community Members to Share Their Experience Crossing I-5
- Statement from Tacoma Chief of Police Patti Jackson on Understanding the Office of Independent Investigations (OII)
- Tacoma: 2026 AMOCAT Arts Award Winners Announced
- City of Tacoma Awarded Competitive State Grant to Evaluate Residential Development Regulations and Permit Processing Times
- City of Tacoma to Host 'Picture Pac Ave' Code Update Open House on October 20