STEP housing is a term for emergency shelters, transitional housing, emergency housing, and permanent supportive housing. It is a set of housing types that Washington state cities are required to plan for to help people who are experiencing or are at risk of experiencing homelessness.

Graphic courtesy of the Washington State Department of Commerce

The STEP Advisory Committee will provide an advisory report to the City Council by the end of September 2025 on proposed amendments to the City’s zoning regulations regarding STEP Housing. The proposed amendments to zoning regulations for STEP Housing are to provide clarity and consistency with State Law HB 1220, which was passed to encourage jurisdictions to accommodate STEP Housing.

While Kenmore’s zoning regulations allow STEP housing, amendments will provide continuity, for example, in the definition of housing type, which zones housing types are permitted, and the review process.  The goal is for the City Council to adopt amendments by the end of 2025.

The City Council approved eight community members to the STEP Housing Advisory Committee:

Jennifer Alderman
jalderman@kenmorewa.gov

Maddie Hayden
mhayden@kenmorewa.gov

Josh Kurchinka
jkurchinka@kenmorewa.gov

Timothy Marchello
tmarchello@kenmorewa.gov

Corina Pfeil
cpfeil@kenmorewa.gov

Juliana Pooley
jpooley@kenmorewa.gov

Caitlin Sullivan
csullivan@kenmorewa.gov

In 2021, Washington State enacted House Bill 1220 (HB 1220), amending the Growth Management Act and municipal code requirements (RCW 36.70A.070(2), RCW 35A.21.430, and RCW 35.21.683). This legislation requires local governments to plan for an accommodate housing affordable to all income levels by 2044.

As part of these amendments, the City of Kenmore is required to adopt regulations that address STEP housing. “STEP” housing stands for emergency shelters, transitional housing, emergency housing, and permanent supportive housing. More information on STEP Housing is available on the Washington State Department of Commerce website.

The City of Kenmore’s projected housing needs for 2019-2044 as ratified by the King County Countywide Planning Policies is 3,070 total net new housing units. As noted in the table below, these housing units are broken down by affordability level. Kenmore needs a total of 587 emergency beds and 559 units of permanent supportive housing (PSH) by 2044.

The City’s zoning regulations allow STEP housing. However, amendments to zoning regulations will provide additional clarity and consistency based on HB 1220 and the Washington State Department of Commerce guidance.  

Emergency shelters and housing are required to be allowed in areas where hotels or motels are permitted, and permanent supportive housing and transitional housing must be allowed in any zones where residential dwellings and hotels are allowed.  

• Washington State Department of Commerce STEP Resources Webpage
• STEP 101 Fact Sheet
• STEP Housing FAQs

Meeting Information

• July meeting information coming soon
   
• 6/25/25 STEP Housing Meeting
  Link to the Agenda, Minutes and Meeting Recording
   
• 5/22/25 STEP Housing Meeting
  Link to the Agenda, Minutes and Meeting Recording
   
• 4/30/25 STEP Housing Meeting
  Link to the Agenda, Presentation and Meeting Recording.
   
• 3/24/25 City Council Meeting Agenda
   Appointment of Advisory Committee
  
  
• 2/24/25 City Council Meeting Agenda
  STEP Housing Advisory Committee Charter