(VANCOUVER, Wash.) — The Vancouver City Council meeting on October 19th, 2026, was marked by the council's compliance with state mandates for multifamily housing tax exemptions, despite internal reservations.
The meeting began with Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle proclaiming October 23-31 as Red Ribbon Week, recognizing youth efforts in substance prevention campaigns.
"Red Ribbon Week is the nation's largest and longest-running drug use prevention campaign, and this year's Red Ribbon Week theme is ‘Make a Difference, Be a Hero, Be Drug Free’ and West Van for Youth in Central Vancouver coalition, our youth Substance prevention coalitions in Vancouver, funded by the Washington State Health Care Authority that worked to promote healthy choices and reduce substance misuse among youth,” McEnerny-Ogle said.
Photo Credit: CVTV
Caitlin Ramirez, coordinator for the West Vancouver Youth Coalition, accepted the proclamation. She explained that this year is the West Van for Youth 10-year anniversary of celebrating Red Ribbon Week by planting tulips and hanging red ribbons through West Vancouver.
“The individuals in our coalition, and the wonderful youth we have the opportunity to partner with are all dedicated in creating a community that is a safe, fun and healthy place for youth to live and succeed in. When the tulips bloom in the spring, they will remind us that we planted the promise to continue to support youth in making healthy choices and the importance of youth substance prevention,” Ramirez said.
Associate Housing Project Coordinator Bryan Monroe provided the staff summary on the Multifamily Tax Exemption Program Changes from House Bills 1491 and 1494.
Photo Credit: CVTV
Bruce Barnes expressed strong concerns that tax breaks for developers inevitably lead to the tax burden being absorbed by homeowners, who are already 'absorbed with taxes.' He noted that the 'affordable housing' at the waterfront is neither affordable nor fully rented.
He questioned whether the new MFTE changes would allow the Vancouver Housing Authority to acquire properties along the new transit routes for 'state-assisted houses.' He also raised specific infrastructure concerns about Main Street being too narrow for the proposed 'purple line' bus, citing a negative experience in Snohomish County where similar initiatives backfired and led to narrower roads and lawsuits.
“My biggest concern is every time I hear that there's tax breaks for developers because they're putting in a few low-income homes, it doesn't work. Because when you look at an apartment complex of 500 apartments times $2,700 a month, that developer is making a fortune. Right? And it makes it really easy for corruption because everybody gives campaign contributions, developers, labor unions, you name it.” Barnes said.
“And all of a sudden, you're having to do what they want you to do instead of doing the right thing, you know? And it's very concerning to me because like I said, people are already absorbed with taxes the way they are right now. You know, the average income in this community is $24 an hour. So how affordable are these apartments going to be?”
The council acknowledged that the MFTE program changes were state mandates, with some members critically labeling them as 'unfunded inclusionary zoning' that could discourage housing construction.
Councilor Sarah Fox pointed out that the state preempts the city in these changes.
“We've also said publicly that as a city, we're not in agreement with this mandate from the state. But if we don't adopt these changes, then the state has already prepared an ordinance that overrules us. And so, then we're subject to the state's ordinance and rules,” Fox said.
Ultimately, the ordinance amending the Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) program, as mandated by Washington State House Bills 1491 and 1494, was approved, introducing a new 20-year exemption option for transit-oriented station areas with a 50-year affordability compliance period, administrative approvals, and impact fee reductions. It also includes new deed restrictions and anti-displacement requirements.
To add to or correct any information in this report, please email me at rory.h@lead4earth.org.
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