It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Beaux Arts Village, WA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“The efficiency of Always Best is spot on! The intake process was smooth and”
“We had wonderful caregivers who were knowledgeable, kind, and went above and beyond in their”
“Always Best Care gave excellent in-home care to my mom. They matched care aides with”
“Always Best Care in Seattle has been outstanding. Their caregivers are attentive, kind, and truly”
“Excellent, caring people (four total) came 8 hours each to my home.”
“Provided quality care for a relative settling back home after a hospital stay. Well managed”
“I am a past client of this provider Excellent caregiving staff. Really communicated well & provided”
“I am a past client of this provider All Best Care provided top-notch home care after”
“I am a past client of this provider Services provided involved caring for a cancer patient”
“I am a past client of this provider I worked with Joseph and Maimuna after knee”
“I am a past client of this provider Consistently received quick professional responses from the owner”
“Sarah came and met with our grandmother in advance of her return home from the”
“ABC works well with other provider services such as the VA and home RN healthcare”
“Responsive office, qualified care givers.”
“We have a wonderful experience, with ABCSS. The Team and services are the best.”
“The team at Always Best Care is just phenomenal. We've had nothing but amazing service.”
“Cannot say enough good things about Sarah and Always Best Care! After my step dad”
“ABC Senior Services excels in all aspects. This is a group you can rely on”
“Our family had an extremely positive experience with Always Best Care. During a very”
“Our family had an extremely positive experience with Always Best Care. During a very”
“After looking far and wide in Seattle, finally I found Always Best Care - what”
“Sarah at Alway Best Care Senior Services is excellent. She is compassionate and understands”
“This company did a fantastic job caring for my father. I highly recommend them for”
“I cannot praise Sarah and her team enough. My husband had a stroke and was”
“I am a current client of this provider I cannot praise Sarah and her team enough.”
“The efficiency of Always Best is spot on! The intake process was smooth and thorough. The caregiver we employed for my husband during my two week vacation could not have been better!”
“We had wonderful caregivers who were knowledgeable, kind, and went above and beyond in their care. Would use Always Best again without hesitation. Have already recovered them. At the beginning there was one issue which was rapidly and professionally dealt with.”
“Always Best Care gave excellent in-home care to my mom. They matched care aides with my mom who provided showers, food prep, walk assistance, dressing, commode changing, cleaning and assistance getting to and from appointments. They initially provided several aides to find a good match, and then once we’d found someone who really gelled with my mom (Teddy) then they would typically schedule her from then on, which gave my mom a predictable schedule and the ability to form a long-term relationship with her caregiver. ABC always provided clear, consistent and prompt communication with me around scheduling and any questions that arose. In the initial consultation, Daniel was very professional and attentive to my mom’s needs and wants, including her in the conversation and sharing a clear picture of the company’s services, caregivers, costs and next steps. ABC provided excellent service at a more affordable rate than other companies offering the same high quality care. I would recommend them to anyone in need of in-home care. When we needed to transition my mom to an assisted living facility, ABC’s owner Sarah Cave went above and beyond to help us find an appropriate spot at a feasible cost. She gathered a list of places, with notes on cost and fit, scheduled tours, joined us at each tour, guided us on the correct questions to ask, and helped us to coordinate logistics as we signed paperwork, including offering to review the care plan prepared by the facility. Sarah was a lifesaver, and she dramatically improved the ease with which we were able to find a good place for my mom, and reduced the stress of the search and move. I can’t recommend Sarah or ABC more highly.”
“Always Best Care in Seattle has been outstanding. Their caregivers are attentive, kind, and truly care about each individual’s needs. They kept us informed every step, giving our family real peace of mind. Highly recommend them to anyone looking for compassionate, dependable senior home care in the Seattle area. Truly exceptional service!”
“Excellent, caring people (four total) came 8 hours each to my home.”
“Provided quality care for a relative settling back home after a hospital stay. Well managed small business with very good caregivers.”
“I am a past client of this provider Excellent caregiving staff. Really communicated well & provided safe knowledgeable care for our loved ones. We really cannot thank them enough…”
“I am a past client of this provider All Best Care provided top-notch home care after my husband’s surgery. Each of the people we have serving us for the short term need were well trained on transfers, safety showering, etc. They were able to help him recover by keeping up his mobility and helping him with his exercises once he started PT therapy. They also provided a wide variety of housekeeping services, such as taking out the garbage, laundry, preparing meals for him, doing dishes, making beds, etc. I can’t imagine making it through that time while continuing my demanding job without them. Sarah, the owner, is a great source of information and support. We are grateful to her and to the fine people who work for her for the care and support we received.”
“I am a past client of this provider Services provided involved caring for a cancer patient in the final days of her life. She was confined to bed and caregivers had to feed her, attend to bodily needs, check for and treat physical conditions such as skin damage, and interact with both the patient and family. At times, their knowledge was applied in letting family know that the patient had needs we did not recognize. All of this was in a hospice setting in our home. I was in a panic on a Friday, because my wife needed care that I did not know how to provide. The soonest anyone was coming was Monday, until Daniel called from Always Best Care. He called Friday morning and by 5 PM Kawsar was here to help. She helped not just my wife, but observing her knowledge and care were comforting to me and my family. Over the next five days, my family and I also met Hiwot, Irene, Edwin, Andrew and Geoffrey. Some of these people came more than once. I thank each of them for the comfort and care they provided. I will always remember each of them for their knowledge and professionalism, and for caring. The schedulers were very responsive and we were never without help when we needed it. Many times schedulers provided coverage with very short notice by me. Every staff member I had contact with reacted with a positive, "we can do this" attitude, no matter how difficult my request might be. The owner was hands on, checking in with me several times to assure that the needs of patient and family were being addressed. She started long range planning in case my wife needed it.”
“I am a past client of this provider I worked with Joseph and Maimuna after knee surgery and more than a month in rehab. At first I didn't think I would need help, but I have never been so glad to have it. Both of my helpers were kind and courteous and, as I got to know them, I looked forward to their visits even more. They took care of everything from the smallest detail, to laundry, changing beds, fixing my lunch and supervising showers. I am grateful that I was able to have their care.”
“I am a past client of this provider Consistently received quick professional responses from the owner and other admin staff, always received the care coverage we needed even when needs changed rapidly, and best of all, we were deeply impressed by her care team - each home health aide was thoughtful , thorough, professional, very attentive, and very kind. Our grandmother was well-pampered in the unexpected last month of her life thanks to Sarah and the Always Best team.”
“Sarah came and met with our grandmother in advance of her return home from the hospital after a nasty bout of pneumonia and I was immediately impressed and grateful. She treated our grandmother with respect and care and thoughtfulness. We believed we would only be working with Always Best for a short period of time while our grandmother got back up to speed. we were all incredibly impressed by the attentiveness, professionalism, and genuine care with which Sam Ishmael, Fridah, Tegan and Ima worked with our grandmother. When she declined unexpectedly and rapidly, Sarah, Jacqueline and Kaitlin all put in extra energy to ensure she had the coverage she needed. In the last month and a half of her life, our grandmother had a level of care she’d never received and felt not only cared for but even a little pampered, in the best of ways. I am so grateful Sarah picked up the phone when I called that Sunday in March to find care for our grandmother!”
“ABC works well with other provider services such as the VA and home RN healthcare delivery services. They work to establish a rapport for ease of communication. Workers are consistent and reliable and they have been able to delegate meds and tube feedings well. Very little turnover noted in the last year! We will continue to work with them! Thanks for the ease of communication through your website, ABC!”
“Responsive office, qualified care givers.”
“We have a wonderful experience, with ABCSS. The Team and services are the best. We are very pleased and blessed. Thank you all.”
“The team at Always Best Care is just phenomenal. We've had nothing but amazing service. Everyone in the team is professional, punctual and truly compassionate. If you want top quality care - look no further!”
“Cannot say enough good things about Sarah and Always Best Care! After my step dad had a stroke, Sarah went above and beyond trying to find him the best place for recovery. You can tell she really cares and truly has her heart in it for the right reasons. So thankful to have found Sarah & her team - would recommend them to anyone!”
“ABC Senior Services excels in all aspects. This is a group you can rely on to help in every way. Professional care and scheduling, with compassion and heart.”
“Our family had an extremely positive experience with Always Best Care. During a very tough & emotional time, their skilled caregivers allowed us to lovingly care for our family member at home with reduced stress. We could not have done it without them!!”
“Our family had an extremely positive experience with Always Best Care. During a very tough & emotional time, their skilled caregivers allowed us to lovingly care for our family member at home with reduced stress. We could not have done it without them!!”
“After looking far and wide in Seattle, finally I found Always Best Care - what an immense relief! Sarah Cave has shown us that her range includes not only the actual caregiving itself (absolutely top-notch!) but also her knowledge and advice about senior living situations, long-term care insurance, and other related issues. Initially, I had no idea that this range of resources could be available from one source, certainly not in such a kind and caring context. Sarah and her team at ABC are the "real thing," and my husband (who has Parkinson disease) and I are forever grateful.”
“Sarah at Alway Best Care Senior Services is excellent. She is compassionate and understands what you are trying to accomplish to help your loved one. She explains everything and puts your mind at ease. The whole team is very helpful and the caregivers are top notch! My Dad is a lot happier now that he has a care giver through this team. I feel at peace knowing my Dad is being well taken care of. Julie Taylor”
“This company did a fantastic job caring for my father. I highly recommend them for home care.”
“I cannot praise Sarah and her team enough. My husband had a stroke and was in the hospital over a month before transferring to a physical therapy unit. It has been a scary time for my family and me. Sarah has helped us navigate the complex medical world and given me clear pathways to choose from on what the future might look like for my husband and me. Our hope is that he return home, but if he cannot, Sarah has given me concrete options that would serve our needs and give us peace of mind for the continued care and rehabilitation for my husband. We have toured facilities together and I have appreciated her kindness, intelligence and her attention to the details that I would not have even thought of. She definitely is an expert in her field and her help in our crisis has been immensely appreciated.”
“I am a current client of this provider I cannot praise Sarah and her team enough. My husband had a stroke and was in the hospital over a month before transferring to a physical therapy unit. It has been a scary time for my family and me. Sarah has helped us navigate the complex medical world and given me clear pathways to choose from on what the future might look like for my husband and me. Our hope is that he return home, but if he cannot, Sarah has given me concrete options that would serve our needs and give us peace of mind for the continued care and rehabilitation for my husband. We have toured facilities together and I have appreciated her kindness, intelligence and her attention to the details that I would not have even thought of. She definitely is an expert in her field and her help in our crisis has been immensely appreciated.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Beaux Arts Village, WA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Beaux Arts Village, WA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Beaux Arts Village, WA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Changes to state law intended to broaden access to more affordable types of housing are reverberating in some unexpected places, including within Puget Sound's smallest jurisdictions. Last week, the town council in Beaux Arts Village – population 310 – met to approve a slate of temporary zoning changes, under threat of state sanctions and prompted by the 2025 Housing Accountability Act. While the vote was unanimous, the meeting included plenty of hand-wringing about the path the town had taken to get to that point.Clocking...
Changes to state law intended to broaden access to more affordable types of housing are reverberating in some unexpected places, including within Puget Sound's smallest jurisdictions. Last week, the town council in Beaux Arts Village – population 310 – met to approve a slate of temporary zoning changes, under threat of state sanctions and prompted by the 2025 Housing Accountability Act. While the vote was unanimous, the meeting included plenty of hand-wringing about the path the town had taken to get to that point.
Clocking in at just 0.17 square miles, Beaux Arts Village is a town entirely ensconced within the City of Bellevue, a pocket of narrow, tree-lined streets where golf carts are more commonplace than apartment buildings. Founded in 1908 as an artist's colony, the town's initial boosters drew residents with advertisements in the Seattle Times touting the fledgling community as "an expedition into the realms of Utopia." The town's primary amenity is a 1,100 foot stretch of beach, which only town property owners have access to as members of a separate, non-profit organization known as the Western Academy of Beaux Arts.
In 1954, Beaux Arts officially incorporated, to "protect the beach and the Village lifestyle," according to the town's website today. It had taken two years for Beaux Arts to reach the required 300-resident minimum necessary to be able to become a town, but just over seven decades later the population has only changed by six residents. Today, the median home value in Beaux Arts Village is $2.6 million.
In the decades since the implementation of Washington's 1990 Growth Management Act (GMA), the state-mandated growth plans in enclaves like Beaux Arts Village haven't traditionally been subjected to much scrutiny. But in 2025, the state legislature passed the Housing Accountability Act, empowering the Washington Department of Commerce to directly evaluate whether local jurisdictions are meeting the expectations laid out in state law when it comes to accommodating housing. Before that law was approved, the only avenue for a local Comprehensive Plan to be found inadequate was through a citizen appeal – though the state has sometimes taken the drastic step of making that appeal itself in extreme circumstances.
In January, Commerce announced that Beaux Arts Village had been selected as one of the first eight jurisdictions ever subjected to "selected review" under the Housing Accountability Act. As part of that review, agency staff have been tasked with determining whether all eight are in compliance with all aspects of the GMA, including new provisions that direct localities to plan for housing across different income levels – requirements that many cities have found vexing.
Beaux Arts' 2024 Comprehensive Plan was reviewed with a fine-toothed comb, and in June a preliminary report was issued to town officials that listed everything that needed to be adjusted to get into alignment with state law, in Commerce's view. That letter gave town officials their marching orders, and started the clock.
"We've been at it for nine months. We presented a Comp Plan that I think is in alignment with what everybody here will believe is keeping with what the village is, which has been much like the past three or four Comp Plans that we put together," Beaux Arts Councilmember Tom Stowe said Tuesday. "Commerce came in and shredded it, basically, and said that we couldn't do what we basically wanted."
Beaux Arts Village's share of Puget Sound's expected housing growth over the coming decades is not substantial. In fact, when King County handed out housing growth targets across all 39 cities and towns countywide in 2021 – an expectation of the number of new units to plan for through 2044 – the number was just one. Its neighbor Bellevue is planning for 35,000.
And yet the town's existing land use, intended to preserve a "tranquil, calm living environment" per the current Beaux Arts Village Comprehensive Plan, has presented certain challenges when it comes to growth plan compliance. Per a 2021 adjustment to the GMA known as House Bill 1220, Beaux Arts Village is required to plan for that one housing unit to be occupied by a household making 30% of King County's median area income or below – households that overall have the greatest difficulty finding housing.
30% of King County's median income is just under $40,000 for a family of two, and residents bringing in that little income cannot afford the single family homes that make up the vast majority of the town's housing stock, nor can they afford the backyard cottages that are allowed on those lots either.
To make it feasible to build at least one home that could be within reach to that future low-income household, Commerce recommended that Beaux Arts Village officials adjust zoning to allow some type of multifamily housing within their borders. Beaux Arts ultimately settled on the idea of creating a co-living "overlay." Co-living housing, also referred to as single-room occupancy (SRO) homes, provide the lowest rents even when built without any subsidy.
Though the idea of allowing six units of co-living housing just on one block of Beaux Arts Village was considered by the town planning commission, but counting on six property owners to build that specific type of housing would likely fall short of providing the necessary capacity. Instead, a proposal advanced that would allow co-living housing outside of the town's "erosion control hazard area" closest to Lake Washington.
The Beaux Arts Village planning commission deadlocked 2-2 on the idea of scaling back Commerce's recommendation to allow six co-living units on all lots in the overlay, but the town council ultimately did scale that number back to four. The fewer units allowed in the overlay, the less likely that it is that any actual co-living projects will get built – an outcome that did come up Tuesday.
"If we think this is about somebody coming in and building, nobody is going to build this," Councilmember Stacy Saal said.
As a town of its size, there is no Beaux Arts Village town hall – just a town mailbox. Town council meetings take place in a rotating councilmember's home, which is how a dining room and adjoining kitchen was transformed into a public meeting room last week for the monthly town council. Twenty to thirty Beaux Arts residents packed into the space, standing in the hallway or sitting on the floor as their elected representatives debated town matters, including whether to get in compliance with state housing law.
The big incentive for councilmembers to act and adopt the interim ordinance, which will expire February 4, was the stick included in the Housing Accountability Act. In addition to being disqualified for some state grants, cities and towns deemed to be out of compliance with the GMA trigger what is known as the Builder's Remedy.
A brand new provision in state law, the Builder's Remedy requires the approval of any complete building permit – no matter whether the underlying project conflicts with the underlying zoning for the site, as long as certain requirements for on-site affordable units are met. Theoretically, this could lead to a ten story apartment building in Beaux Arts Village, as long as a subset of the new units are kept within certain rents.
"If we don't do this tonight, as you all remember, the consequence is we go out of compliance, and the low income builder remedy kicks in, and any low income builder comes in and can submit plans that totally ignore our zoning code, they can come in and build whatever they want," Beaux Arts Mayor Aletha Howes the crowd in attendance on Tuesday. "The only thing they have to follow is setbacks and tree code. Everything else is blown out of water."
So far no jurisdiction has actually triggered the Builder's Remedy, with Carnation getting fully into compliance earlier this summer, and Bainbridge Island going the same route as Beaux Arts and approving a temporary ordinance a few days after Carnation. But in Beaux Arts just as there was on Bainbridge Island, some voices pushed for a more oppositional stance against state review.
During Tuesday's public hearing, local resident Dan Bridges urged councilmembers to take a more adversarial position.
"Well-meaning councils and boards sometimes lose sight of the fact that public agencies, state agencies – who we trust, like our parents, right? – they're still political agencies, and they have an agenda and they have a point of view. That point of view is not always the correct point of view," Bridges said. "Having an outside [entity] of coming to advocate for us would be helpful. And I would suggest if you haven't done that yet, you might consider doing that and not simply accept what some state agency is telling you. Only a judge is the one who decides the law."
For now at least, Beaux Arts Village has deemed the path of least resistance to be compliance.
"It is not that we are not receptive of what we're hearing," Stowe told public commenters. "It's that we quite frankly are up against them to comply, or they're going to go over us and say you have no authority and allow whatever zoning or buildings they say under the code – under Commerce's interpretation of the code, which has not necessarily been ours – and we have pointed that out that we don't read the law the same way they do."
As one of the first jurisdictions being put under the Housing Accountability Act microscope, Beaux Arts officials expressed clear frustration at the process of state review over the past few months.
They're not alone in that frustration. When members of the Carnation City Council held a public hearing with the Department of Commerce in July, many of the same concerns raised in Beaux Arts surfaced – about staff time, not an insignificant issue for a small city or town, and confusion over the purpose of the new law.
"Is this supposed to be helpful for us?," Carnation deputy Mayor Jessica Merizan asked Commerce staff at that July 9 meeting. "Because it really seems like you've pulled a lot of staff time, and the point seems to be saving staff time because these types of errors are happening. It just kind of feels like this is a teacher double-checking work, and not necessarily, these are areas of the community, in the region that perhaps need support, and we're here to offer that."
In Beaux Arts Village, Howes directly referred to what the Commerce department had been tasked with doing as "overreach" and called the idea of the state forcing local officials to spend scarce staff time on that review as an "unfunded mandate" that she called "bullshit."
"I am still pursuing the legislative changes in the next session with [Representative] Zahn, [Representative Thai], and [the Association of Washington Cities] is still pushing the seven legal arguments that we brought to them, and the seven other cities are also pushing to get those changes," Howes said, noting the temporary ordinance's four-month duration. "So if something moves during that time frame, then we can amend. If something doesn't move and it goes to final...you know, we'll see how the legislative session goes in '27."
Meanwhile, five additional cities and towns – including Woodway, Darrington, Gold Bar, Brier, and DuPont – are still in the process of coming into compliance, work that was spurred on by the Housing Accountability Act. And then next year, a whole new slate of jurisdictions will be announced.
Purchasing a home is one of the most important investments there is. More than a place to live, homeownership is an asset with the potential to tremendously rise in value. But with home prices reaching record heights, affordability plays a huge role for buyers.The typical home value in the United States was $369,678 in August, 1.3% higher than the year before.High mortgage rates are also making monthly payments more expensive; as of September 17, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate sits at 6.95%.Although home prices have inf...
Purchasing a home is one of the most important investments there is. More than a place to live, homeownership is an asset with the potential to tremendously rise in value. But with home prices reaching record heights, affordability plays a huge role for buyers.
The typical home value in the United States was $369,678 in August, 1.3% higher than the year before.
High mortgage rates are also making monthly payments more expensive; as of September 17, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate sits at 6.95%.
Although home prices have inflated all across the U.S., there are some cities that command a higher price tag than others. Location, size, age, and condition are all contributing factors to home value.
Stacker compiled a list of cities with the most expensive homes in the Seattle metro area using data from Zillow. Charts show the monthly typical home value since January 2018. Data was available for 96 cities and towns.
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- Typical home value: $885,744- 1-year price change: -2.1%- 5-year price change: +5.8%
- Typical home value: $895,454- 1-year price change: -1.8%- 5-year price change: +16.3%
- Typical home value: $906,912- 1-year price change: -0.7%- 5-year price change: +15.6%
- Typical home value: $911,318- 1-year price change: -1.2%- 5-year price change: +17.2%
- Typical home value: $930,832- 1-year price change: -2.3%- 5-year price change: +13.0%
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- Typical home value: $933,410- 1-year price change: -3.6%- 5-year price change: +19.3%
- Typical home value: $948,234- 1-year price change: -2.6%- 5-year price change: +14.5%
- Typical home value: $979,198- 1-year price change: -1.0%- 5-year price change: +13.3%
- Typical home value: $987,284- 1-year price change: -4.1%- 5-year price change: +16.5%
- Typical home value: $989,637- 1-year price change: -1.0%- 5-year price change: +17.6%
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- Typical home value: $994,964- 1-year price change: -5.3%- 5-year price change: +16.6%
- Typical home value: $1,001,406- 1-year price change: -1.5%- 5-year price change: +11.6%
- Typical home value: $1,021,088- 1-year price change: +0.2%- 5-year price change: +16.6%
- Typical home value: $1,061,472- 1-year price change: -2.7%- 5-year price change: +16.0%
- Typical home value: $1,069,601- 1-year price change: +1.6%- 5-year price change: +16.8%
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- Typical home value: $1,106,442- 1-year price change: -2.3%- 5-year price change: +15.4%
- Typical home value: $1,160,963- 1-year price change: -0.6%- 5-year price change: +15.3%
- Typical home value: $1,178,291- 1-year price change: -5.2%- 5-year price change: +16.3%
- Typical home value: $1,315,884- 1-year price change: -3.9%- 5-year price change: +19.0%
- Typical home value: $1,316,778- 1-year price change: -3.3%- 5-year price change: +18.2%
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- Typical home value: $1,348,576- 1-year price change: -1.5%- 5-year price change: +21.2%
- Typical home value: $1,418,231- 1-year price change: -3.9%- 5-year price change: +19.0%
- Typical home value: $1,516,014- 1-year price change: -5.3%- 5-year price change: +18.6%
- Typical home value: $2,257,926- 1-year price change: -0.8%- 5-year price change: +15.1%
- Typical home value: $2,336,445- 1-year price change: +1.8%- 5-year price change: +25.5%
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- Typical home value: $2,715,719- 1-year price change: -4.8%- 5-year price change: +7.2%
- Typical home value: $4,009,625- 1-year price change: -2.2%- 5-year price change: +16.6%
- Typical home value: $4,292,039- 1-year price change: -2.4%- 5-year price change: +11.2%
- Typical home value: $4,499,887- 1-year price change: -1.4%- 5-year price change: +14.9%
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