Board of Natural Resources Gives Unanimous Approval to Half-acre Transfer
The Washington State Board of Natural Resources has unanimously approved a transfer of approximately a half-acre of state trust land to Pierce County for future affordable housing. The parcels in Tacoma have been zoned for residential use and will be utilized for future affordable housing. The Board approved the transfer at its regular meeting on October 7th.
“We continue to innovate and diversify how our lands generate revenue for education and community services. I believe that public lands should serve a variety of public benefits, especially as they transition to other uses. I’m excited to help Pierce County Community Development Corporation use this property to address our housing shortage,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove.
"This land transfer marks another important milestone in our continued partnership with DNR,” said Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello. “By working with partner jurisdictions, we're turning underused public land into a foundation for long-term community stability. The property is zoned to allow for higher densities and supports up to 24 homes, making this more than a piece of land—it’s an opportunity to provide homes that working families in Pierce County can afford. We’re grateful for DNR’s commitment to helping us address the housing crisis, and we look forward to working with our partners in the Pierce County Community Development Corporation to bring this vision to life."
The parcel is valued at $200,000, and proceeds from the transfer will be deposited into the Land Bank to acquire suitable properties for trust beneficiaries. DNR generates more than $250 million annually by managing trust lands, which are required to generate revenue to support schools, colleges, and critical local services across Washington state. That revenue comes from sustainable forest management, agricultural, clean energy, and commercial real estate leases.
DNR can directly transfer state trust lands to Tribes and local governments, with counties, cities, school districts, or port districts able to purchase these lands from the state at fair market value. DNR uses the proceeds from transfers to fund the purchase of replacement properties elsewhere in the state, supporting schools and critical local services.
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