Letter: Clark County needs housing solutions, not more delays

Vancouver resident Bill Black believes we deserve forward-thinking leadership that tackles the housing shortage head-on; ‘Let’s stop delaying and start building’

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com

Clark County is facing one of the most critical housing shortages in its history. Families are struggling to find affordable homes, builders are ready to bring new supply online, and yet the very process that allows property owners and developers to respond to this need has been suspended — and now faces another year-long extension.

On Sept. 23, the Clark County Council will consider extending the suspension of Annual Reviews, the process by which property owners can request site-specific zoning and comprehensive plan amendments. What may sound like a bureaucratic pause has very real consequences: it locks the door on opportunities to expand housing, grow our tax base, and create jobs.

The impact of suspension

This is not the first pause. The last suspension was for two full years, leaving countless projects on hold. Now, just as our housing crisis has grown more urgent, the council is considering yet another extension.

Developers and homeowners who want to expand or build have been told to wait—not just for months, but for years. This “wait” translates into fewer housing starts, delayed construction jobs, and, ultimately, higher costs for every Clark County resident. In a county where demand already far outpaces supply, each delay compounds the problem.

Affordable housing projects, workforce housing, and even private investment opportunities are being sidelined. At a time when local leaders should be working to remove barriers, we are effectively putting handcuffs on development.

The bigger picture

We are not alone in this struggle. Across Washington, counties are being asked to do their part in addressing the housing crisis. Clark County is one of the fastest-growing regions in the state, with families moving here for jobs, schools, and community. If we can’t keep up with demand, prices will continue to skyrocket, pushing working families out of the market.

Extending this suspension risks sending a message that Clark County is closed for business when it comes to growth. That is the opposite of what our community needs.

A path forward

Instead of a blanket suspension, the council should consider:

• Targeted Reviews for high-priority projects, especially affordable housing and workforce development.
• Transparency and timelines — clear benchmarks so the public and applicants know when the process will resume.
• Stakeholder engagement — bringing developers, Realtors, lenders, and housing advocates to the table to craft solutions that balance growth with community needs.

We can’t afford another year of inaction. Every month that goes by means another family priced out, another project shelved, another opportunity lost.

Final word

As someone active in real estate development, married to a Realtor, and working daily as a mortgage broker, I see firsthand how these delays ripple through every part of our community. The last suspension already stretched for two years—Clark County cannot afford to lose yet another year. We deserve forward-thinking leadership that tackles the housing shortage head-on. Let’s stop delaying and start building.

Bill Black
Vancouver