South Sound Housing Affordability Partners

Shaping the future of housing opportunities in our Pierce County.
Median Home Price

$555k

Cost Burdened Households

33.3%

Housing Affordability Index

96.9

About the
South Sound Housing Affordability Partners

Established in 2021, the South Sound Housing Affordability Partners (SSHA3P) is an intergovernmental collaboration between the Cities and Towns of Auburn, DuPont, Edgewood, Fife, Fircrest, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, Milton, Puyallup, Sumner, Steilacoom, Tacoma, and University Place, Pierce County and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, working together to create and preserve affordable, attainable, and accessible housing throughout our communities.

Read the SSHA3P Intergovernmental Agreement

Profile of
Pierce County

While the county, cities, towns, and tribes in our region all have unique needs and circumstances, we are united in
our desire to see individuals and families being able to remain in their homes, and for more available housing
options for our friends and neighbors with low- and fixed-incomes.

We are keenly aware of the disparate impacts on the most vulnerable in our communities, including seniors, the unhoused, people of color, veterans, and working families. We are continuing to explore and work toward actions that can be taken at the local level to foster greater housing stability in Pierce County.

Learn about Pierce County’s Economic and Demographic profile

What is the Housing Affordability Index?

The Housing Affordability Index, calculated by the Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies, measures the ability of a middle income family to carry the mortgage payments on a median price home. When the index is 100 there is a balance between the family’s ability to pay and the cost.
Higher indexes indicate housing is more affordable. For example, an index of 130 means that a median-income family has 30 percent more income than the bare minimum required to qualify for a mortgage on a median-price home. An index below 100 means that a median-income family has less income than the minimum required.

between the family’s ability to pay and the cost. Higher indexes indicate housing is more affordable.

For example, an index of 126 means that a median-income family has 26 percent more income than the bare minimum required to qualify for a mortgage on a median-price home. An index of 80 means that a median-income family has less income than the minimum required.

Pierce County’s median home price has increased significantly since 2011, but is still below the rate of growth and median home prices in King and Snohomish counties, as well as the statewide median home price.

between the family’s ability to pay and the cost. Higher indexes indicate housing is more affordable.

For example, an index of 126 means that a median-income family has 26 percent more income than the bare minimum required to qualify for a mortgage on a median-price home. An index of 80 means that a median-income family has less income than the minimum required.

This program is available to citizens who are at least age 61 by December 31, 2021 or retired from regular gainful employment by reason of a disability, with an income of $45,708 or less. The exemption freezes the value of the residence as of January 1 of the initial application year, exempts all excess levies and may exempt a portion of regular levies. The Assessor-Treasurer will continue to establish the market value of the property on an annual basis. Your taxes will be calculated on the lesser of market value or frozen value.

Learn more about the program

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