Puget Sound Properties & Lifestyle

The recently approved *Home in Tacoma* initiative represents a landmark step for the city, addressing pressing housing challenges by introducing sweeping changes to zoning and urban density. This initiative, unanimously approved by the Tacoma City Council, aims to create more affordable housing, increase density, and promote sustainable urban development. Key Features of Home in Tacoma 1. Zoning Reforms for Diversity and Affordability    The initiative introduces three new Urban Residential zones, replacing traditional single-family zoning in many areas. These zones allow for a broader mix of housing types, including duplexes, townhomes, multi-family dwellings, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). This change aims to tackle housing scarcity by making efficient use of existing urban spaces. 2. Balancing Density with Environmental Considerations    New developments are required to integrate tree planting and preservation efforts to maintain Tacoma’s green spac...

For decades, suburbia was marketed to Americans as the ultimate dream—a place where the nuclear family could thrive, surrounded by safety, green lawns, and white picket fences. Developers sold this vision in the post-World War II era, promising a better life outside crowded urban centers. The vision worked. Suburban neighborhoods flourished, and families bought into the ideal. But this dream was based on an economic reality that no longer exists. Today, inflation, skyrocketing home prices, and the changing dynamics of family life have made suburban living increasingly unattainable for the average American family. Now, strip malls and office parks that once symbolized the economic promise of the suburbs sit empty. Their high rents have driven away tenants, and vast amounts of space remain underutilized. Meanwhile, the nation faces a severe housing crisis, with many unable to afford decent living spaces in either cities or the suburbs. As I drive around the Tacoma-Seattle area, ther...