Comprehensive plan emphasizes housing

RITZVILLE – During a City Council meeting March 19, consultant Aren Murcar of SCJ Alliance of Spokane presented an update to the city’s comprehensive plan — including a housing element based on the 2023 housing action plan.

The recently added housing section emphasizes the need for affordable housing, smaller housing and options to age-in-place.

It details existing housing conditions here and notes that nearly 60% of the town’s housing stock was built prior to 1960 and nearly 40% prior to 1939.

Older housing can present safety issues and significantly increase energy and maintenance costs, acc...