Multi-family Housing Survey

Update: The Multi-family Housing Survey is now closed.  The survey results have been added to the Document Library.

The City is conducting public outreach to multi-family households on Mercer Island through a short survey to learn more about the reasons people choose to live here as well as reasons people may choose to move away in the future. A postcard promoting this survey was recently mailed to all multi-family households located in the Town Center and multi-family areas of Mercer Island.

Recent state legislation (HB 1220) requires a substantial review and update of the Housing Element as a part of the current periodic update to the Comprehensive Plan, including the addition of focused strategies to plan for affordable housing. The scope of work for the periodic update, adopted by the City Council in 2021 (Resolution No. 1621), includes targeted outreach to renter households. In addition, the Racially Disparate Impacts Evaluation completed by the City last month identified that households in portions of the Town Center and Multi-family housing areas are at a higher risk of displacement. That is, these households have a higher risk of being "forced or pressured to move from their community by factors outside of their control". Thus, the City is seeking input from these households on their experience in attaining housing and living in Mercer Island, and the factors that could cause them to move in the future.

If you are a renter or resident of an apartment, condo, townhome, duplex or ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit)/Backyard Cottage, we encourage you to complete the survey. If you have questions about this survey or the process, please contact us at Comp.Plan@mercerisland.gov.