Kent to Discuss Housing Policy

Look for Kent City Council to consider the idea of a housing task force — possibly in early 2013.

Council members agreed to put the idea of creating a housing policy or planning task force to make written recommendations to council for housing policies on a future meeting agenda.

Council voted unanimously last week to put the idea on an upcoming community development committee meeting list of talking points.

Ward 5 Councilwoman Heidi Shaffer suggested the idea — after hearing several applicants for the council vacancy discuss the issue Nov. 28.

"We had some candidates ... that would be wonderful to pull in to help serve on such a committee," Shaffer said.

She emphasized that if a committee is formed, it should include heavy participation from residents and property owners in Kent. She also was careful to state such a committee should not have authority to act but instead should make recommendations to council for action.

2010 Census data show Kent has a predominantly renter-based household population.

Of Kent's 10,288 total households, 56 percent are "non-family" households, which can include elderly residents living alone and student renters. Of the total households, 63 percent, or 6,480, are renters.

About 44 percent of all hosueholds in Kent are families, which can be defined as a married couple or a couple with children.