Home prices are beginning to normalize across the country, but remain elevated in Spokane even as more homes enter the market. Spokane ranks as the second worst market in the nation regarding supply versus demand, with prices nearly doubling in a few years, according to the National Association of Realtors.  

Accordingly, Spokane continues to face a pivotal time in the housing industry. To assist in these crucial times and efforts, Spokane Realtors has joined forces with 14 local housing providers to form the Spokane Housing Coalition. The primary objective of the coalition is to provide reliable data and up-to-date statistics, and to offer the most effective information to decision makers and advocate for necessary changes. 

Spokane Realtors and the coalition recently conducted a survey of Spokane voters. The results were significant, indicating that housing and homelessness were top concerns among 64% of respondents, while 49% expressed concerns regarding housing costs. Over four-fifths of surveyed residents feel there are not enough different types of housing, such as apartment buildings, townhomes, duplexes, and single-family homes available in Spokane County. 

Further, builders continue to inform us that the primary driver of housing costs in Spokane County continues to be the price of land. In areas with limited land like Spokane, lot prices have risen considerably over the past few years, increasing from $109,000 in 2018 to $206,000 in 2024. This increase is directly attributable to heightened demand and a limited supply of buildable properties. As a result, the median price of existing homes has increased from $234,000 in 2018 to $415,000 in 2024, multiple listing source data by Spokane Realtors shows. 

Spokane Realtors recently used the survey data and relevant information from the recent Real Estate Forum to present key points to the Spokane City Council with the hope that members would utilize this data and collaborate with the coalition to assemble housing need projections for the next decade while expanding the growth management boundary and updating the Growth Management Act.  

Essentially, Spokane Realtors wanted to make the case that this was exactly what they told us last time. In 2016, the city of Spokane insisted we didn't need to expand our boundary, despite the analyst findings that called them out for several mistakes. Those errors have been repeated in the city's 2025 GMA presentation. There continues to be a significant disconnect between what Spokane designates as available land and what can actually be used for construction. 

For instance, the county’s own website lists a large swath of buildable property on the 4000-block of Randolph Road in west Spokane. However, a closer examination reveals that this land is the Mukogawa Campus, the private university located west of the Spokane Falls Community College campus.

There are additional properties that are classified as "theoretically buildable" but do not exist in reality. For instance, church parking lots and schools are listed as "available land." Finally, there is a 30-year history of under predicting our actual population. 

Despite being provided with this relevant information, Spokane’s elected city officials voted 5-2 in favor of not expanding the growth management boundary. Spokane Realtors explains what happens when expert advice is ignored:

• Two-thirds of voters now believe that the county is on the wrong track.
• Housing prices have doubled, making a three-bedroom, two-bathroom new home in Post Falls cheaper, at $411,000, than a similar rancher in Spokane, at $425,000.
• In January 2017, there were nearly 1,000 lots for sale with an average price of $79,000. Today, that price is well over $200,000 with fewer than 94 buildable lots.
• There is a tremendous greenhouse gas issue from adding over 90,000 cars per day that now cross the border.
• Spokane County is losing nearly $1 billion dollars a year in economic impact to Idaho.

In conclusion, the data and experiences outlined here paint a clear picture of the significant housing challenges facing Spokane. From consistently high demand and escalating land costs, to discrepancies in planning data and a history of inaccurate projections, the need for a cohesive and data-driven approach to housing solutions is paramount. The Spokane Housing Coalition represents a crucial step toward addressing these complexities by providing reliable information and advocating for necessary changes. 

Moving forward, it is imperative that elected officials and community leaders in Spokane County prioritize collaborative efforts, accurate data utilization, and a realistic understanding of the market to ensure the development of diverse, affordable housing options and a sustainable future for all residents. Ignoring expert advice and relying on flawed data will only exacerbate the existing crisis and hinder the region's ability to accommodate growth and ensure the well-being of its population.