Good Neighbor Agreements
Last year, the City appointed volunteers to serve on the STEP (Shelter, Temporary, Emergency and Permanent Supportive Housing) Advisory Committee. I was one of them. This post, however, is written in my individual capacity and not as a representative of the STEP Advisory Committee or the City of Kenmore.
The purpose of the STEP Advisory Committee was to provide direction to Council on how to incorporate the requirements of HB1220 into Kenmore’s municipal code and plan for accommodating Kenmore’s STEP housing targets. This year, HB2266 passed, imposing additional restrictions on cities and changing the implementation of some of the STEP Committee’s recommendations.
HB1220 required that Cities allow permanent supportive housing (PSH) throughout all residential areas; HB2266 removed the City’s ability to require different development or operating standards for STEP than is required for other housing developments.
“A city, county, or other local governmental entity or agency may not adopt, impose, or enforce requirements on an affordable housing development that are different than the requirements imposed on housing developments generally.”
There is an important, and relevant to the history of PSH in Kenmore, carved out of this, which allows the City to enter into a contract and impose additional reasonable operational requirements if they donate land (gift or long-term lease of 50+ years) or make a significant contribution from the general fund.
The net impact of these two bills was this: STEP must be allowed throughout the City, and when it comes to PSH, additional requirements such as a Good Neighbor Agreement, can only be required when the City has skin in the game.
Good Neighbor Agreements (GNAs)
The broad allowance of STEP housing throughout Kenmore (though dramatically restricted by deed restrictions and HOAs) led the STEP Committee to focus not on whether or not STEP should be allowed in Kenmore, but what the framework should look like when a new development comes to our city.
Good Neighbor Agreements were discussed throughout the meetings as the cornerstone to positive integration of new STEP developments into the Kenmore community. GNAs are not new to Kenmore, nor are they new to providers. When the Plymouth project was being considered, the City’s FAQ said that the GNA would outline expectations and address safety concerns related to the development:
19. Does the City have any recourse if there are issues at the property? Yes. The proposed “Good Neighbor Agreement,” or similar agreement, would outline any expectations for this property that exceed the typical expectations and/or legal obligations for operators of multi family properties in Kenmore. This land will additionally be subject to a land covenant to require affordability and will be monitored by funders (including ARCH, who would be managing any funds donated by the City of Kenmore).
20. What is a good neighbor agreement and what can it include? A “Good Neighbor Agreement,” or similar, can address operations, safety, and communications commitments related to the development.
During one STEP Committee meeting, we spoke with a panel of experts who were all experienced providers in STEP housing. The Committee asked about GNAs, to which one provider answered:
“We have them everywhere. Okay. In every building, right? We have good neighbor agreements. So, like in my health for housing site in Auburn, the surrounding businesses all have the front desk number. Um, we have orderly meetings with the surrounding businesses and people in the neighborhood on site to come and talk to us about any challenges they had”
The other panelists expressed that they use them routinely; they see the GNA as part of a successful integration for STEP housing project into the community. No panelist expressed reservations about GNAs; they see them as a bilateral agreement that helps set expectations for both sides and ensure a better integration into the community.
One provider made a very important point: nothing that violates fair housing laws can go into the GNA. The residents of PSH are tenants and have the same protections as tenants would in any other living situation.
The 3/16/26 Council Packet included a draft GNA that clearly articulates the intent of the document:
This Good Neighbor Agreement is between the City of Kenmore, the owner/operator of a Transitional, Permanent Supportive, or Emergency Housing or Emergency Shelter, and other related parties deemed appropriate by the City of Kenmore. This document establishes an operating agreement between the identified parties which defines roles and responsibilities for those identified, procedures for addressing concerns, and identifies primary points of contact. A completed Good Neighbor Agreement is recommended to be delivered to surrounding property owners within 1,000’ of the new STEP housing development following approval of a permit for the project and prior to issuance of Certificate of Occupancy. Properties partially within the defined boundary radius should receive notice. While not included by name within the agreement, surrounding property owners are expected to engage directly with the primary point of contact for the STEP Housing Operator if concerns arise.
STEP Committee Consensus & Recommendation
Members of the STEP Committee as well as Staff and the Kimley Horn consultant, Nick Chen, researched GNAs in other communities. At the final meeting, members of the committee reached consensus not only that we needed GNAs to make future STEP projects in Kenmore successful, but that they needed to be enforceable. Members who were concerned about the impact of the STEP projects on the neighboring community wanted to be sure it was more than just a paper tiger. Nick summarized the Committee’s intent:
"Whether it's business license, business agreement, or just part of the code, there needs to be a way for these to be enforceable and there needs to be some action in response"
Before the STEP Committee presented to Council, Nick sent an email confirming the consensus the Committee reached in the final meeting, and asking for corrections if something was missing or misstated:
“In preparing these meetings, we have worked to incorporate the comments provided by committee members where there seemed to be consensus. If you believe something was missed where the group had consensus it should be included, please let us know.”
Nick’s email only required response if it was incorrect or incomplete. Because his summary was accurate, most committee members did not respond.
When the STEP Committee first presented to Council, then-Deputy Mayor O'Cain read an email from a community member who had opposed Plymouth, stating that they would feel comfortable with a new STEP project if the Committee's recommendations were adopted. The goal of the Committee had been to craft a recommendation where everyone would feel comfortable moving forward with a future STEP project; this email indicated that we had.
Removal of GNA Recommendation
In the May 11, 2026, Council Meeting, CM Culver made a motion to remove the recommendation and definition of GNAs from the proposed STEP Code. CM Adman, DM Sasson and Mayor Herbig supported this motion.
Kenmore certainly needs to operate within the boundaries of State law; recommending GNAs, and providing a definition in the code, did that. Given the STEP Committee's recommendation for GNA's, the support the Committee heard from the provider panel of experts, and the pivotal role they play in ensuring a smooth transition for STEP housing in Kenmore's future, restoring the recommendation and definition is essential.
A recommendation and definition in the code isn't a barrier; it's a recognition that Kenmore has had a rocky past in terms of welcoming STEP into the community, and that setting clear rules of engagement for both sides is necessary to help allay fears of the public and ensure a smoother integration for the provider and residents.
Other Communities and GNAs:
Compass Housing Alliance’s GNA: CHA-Good-Neighbor-Policy-Overview.pdf
Shoreline’s GNA: staffreport111620-7d.pdf
Seattle’s GNA: 2019GoodNeighborAgreementNavigationCent.pdf
Seattle Council Chair Joy Hollingsworth is now asking for enforceable GNAs - Seattle council president wants enforceable Good Neighbor Agreements for shelters
Puyallup’s GNA advisory committee: Chapter 20.72: EMERGENCY SHELTER AND EMERGENCY HOUSING - City of Puyallup, WA
Bellevue’s GNA advisory committee: Good Neighbor Agreement Advisory Committee | City of Bellevue
