Roots to Roofs Pilot Program: Verification Form for "Qualifying Community Development Organization" and "Equitable Development Use"

In September 2025, the City Council adopted Ordinance 127308 , establishing a term-limited Roots to Roofs Pilot Program to encourage development with low- to moderate-income housing and community-serving equitable development uses. The pilot provides alternative development standards for eligible projects proposed by a qualifying community development organization that fulfill certain criteria. The legislation establishes several new definitions for the purposes of the pilot program, including "qualifying community development organization" and "equitable development use." Section 3 directs City departments to promulgate a Director's Rule for administering the program by creating processes and criteria for verifying a pilot project's alignment with these two definitions. Section 23.40.091 of the Land Use Code defines these terms as follows: "Qualifying community development organization" means a nonprofit organization registered with the Washington Secretary of State, a public development authority created pursuant to RCW 35.21.730, or a public housing authority created pursuant to RCW 35.82.030, that has as its purpose the creation or preservation of affordable housing, affordable commercial space, affordable arts space, community gathering spaces, or equitable development uses. A qualifying community development organization may consist of a partnership among one or more qualifying community development organizations, one or more qualifying community development organizations and a partnering for-profit development entity, or a partnership or limited liability company of which at least one qualifying community development organization serves as the controlling general partner or managing member. As part of review of an application for a project participating in the Roots to Roofs Pilot Program, an applicant must submit materials for review and verification with the definition of a qualifying community development organization.