BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A new effort to expand affordable housing opportunities in Bellingham has received the final go-ahead.

Bellingham City Council voted on Monday to solidify one of the two ordinances that seek to make it easier to build multi-family housing within the city

The interim ordinances were passed in late May, and council had their final vote this week for the ordinance that amends the city’s multi-family tax exemption program.

The newly passed ordinance offers incentives for developers to build affordable housing in designated urban villages.

It increases the income threshold needed to be eligible and expand the program to more areas in the city, among other changes.

Both ordinances come in response to Mayor Kim Lund’s executive order last fall that seeks to assuage the housing issues within the city.