In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the pressing issue of affordable housing in Oak Harbor, highlighting concerns over the adequacy of current plans to meet the community's needs. The conversation centered around the projected creation of 500 new affordable housing units, with skepticism expressed regarding whether these units would genuinely be affordable for residents earning below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

Participants pointed out that while zoning changes could increase housing density, the challenge remains in ensuring that these new units are affordable. The existing AMI for Island County, which is significantly higher than Oak Harbor's median income, complicates the situation. Officials acknowledged the need for more localized data to better reflect the economic realities faced by residents, particularly in light of the disparity between county and city income levels.

Concerns were raised about the long-term implications of current planning strategies, with suggestions for more frequent assessments of income projections to ensure that future housing remains accessible. The discussion underscored the importance of providing a variety of housing options to accommodate different income levels, as current offerings are limited.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the necessity of ongoing dialogue with county officials to address these disparities and to explore flexible tools for planning that could better serve Oak Harbor's unique demographic and economic landscape. The officials emphasized that while the goal is to increase housing availability, careful consideration must be given to the affordability of these options to prevent future residents from being priced out of the community.