Housing

signed · Washington · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 1687: Concerning social housing public development authorities.

HB 1687 clarifies definitions and expands support mechanisms for social housing public development authorities in Washington State. It defines "social housing" as publicly owned rental housing available to all income levels (low, moderate, and high-income households) with cross-subsidized rents, and establishes specific income thresholds based on HUD data. The bill enables state and local governments to provide property, infrastructure, or funding to these authorities without standard bidding requirements, while requiring five days of public notice for such transactions. It directly affects social housing authorities, state/local governments, and residents of subsidized housing projects across Washington. The legislation focuses on structural changes to housing authority operations, not on new funding or outcomes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingDefines social housing for all income levels with cross-subsidized rents and enables state funding/support, directly expanding affordable housing access through public authorities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Washington · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 1859: Expanding opportunities for affordable housing developments on properties owned by religious organizations.

HB 1859 allows Washington religious organizations to develop affordable housing on their properties with increased density allowances. To qualify, at least 50% of units must be permanently affordable for low-income households (earning at or below 80% of local median income) for 50 years, with no discrimination based on protected characteristics. Religious organizations must cover all development fees and costs, and local governments must approve such projects if requested. This applies to new construction and rehab projects on religiously owned land, amending zoning laws to support affordable housing expansion.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly enables affordable housing development on religious properties with 50% permanently affordable units (80% AMI) for 50 years, prohibiting discrimination and requiring orgs to cover costs, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5613: Concerning the development of clear and objective standards, conditions, and procedures for residential development.

Senate Bill 5613 aims to establish clear and objective standards for residential development across Washington state. It requires cities and counties to adopt these standards for residential projects by January 1, 2028, ensuring regulations do not create unreasonable costs or delays. The bill directs the Department of Commerce to form a stakeholder work group to analyze development barriers and suggest model codes. While promoting objective standards, it allows for an alternative approval process based on aesthetics, provided developers retain the option of using the clear and objective standards. These provisions apply to residential development within urban growth areas.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes objective standards to reduce development costs/delays, promoting housing supply and addressing development barriers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5469: Prohibiting algorithmic rent fixing and noncompete agreements in the rental housing market.

Senate Bill 5469 aims to prevent certain data-sharing practices in the rental housing market that could lead to coordinated rent pricing. The bill makes it unlawful for "service providers" to collect and analyze rental data from multiple landlords and then recommend rental prices or terms to more than one landlord. It also prohibits landlords from subscribing to or contracting with these coordinating service providers. Violations would be considered unfair trade practices under the state's consumer protection act, allowing for enforcement by the attorney general or civil lawsuits by injured individuals.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prohibits algorithmic rent fixing and noncompete agreements, preventing coordinated rent increases that harm tenants and protect tenant rights in housing.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill explicitly prohibits algorithmic rent fixing and data-sharing practices, restricting a specific technology application to prevent anti-competitive rent pricing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5749: Concerning housing development opportunity zones.

SB 5749 allows cities and code cities to designate "housing development opportunity zones" in underutilized areas with existing large commercial structures, such as shopping malls or vacant stores. Within these zones, residential development is prioritized, and projects are encouraged to use existing infrastructure and site areas to help reduce costs. Cities may also waive impact fees for developments in these zones, and designations can be implemented outside of typical planning cycles, provided they are included in the next comprehensive plan update. The bill mandates a review by 2043 to assess the number of housing and affordable housing units created, with a provision for potential repeal if affordable housing targets are not met, and the act is set to expire on July 1, 2045.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingDesignates zones for residential development, waives impact fees, and prioritizes using existing infrastructure to lower costs, directly advancing housing development.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5576: Providing state funding for essential affordable housing programs.

Senate Bill 5576 allows counties, cities, and towns in Washington State to impose a new special excise tax of up to four percent on short-term rental lodging booked through online platforms. The revenue collected from this tax must be used exclusively for essential affordable housing programs. These funds can support activities such as acquiring, rehabilitating, or constructing affordable housing, covering operations and maintenance costs for such housing, or providing rental assistance to tenants. Local governments are required to publish an annual report detailing how these tax revenues were spent.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new 4% excise tax on short-term rentals to fund affordable housing programs, directly allocating tax revenue to public service spending.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates dedicated tax revenue (4% on short-term rentals) exclusively for affordable housing programs including construction, rehab, and rental assistance.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5686: Expanding and funding the foreclosure mediation program.

SB 5686 expands and funds the existing foreclosure mediation program, directly affecting homeowners facing foreclosure and unit owners (like those in condominiums or HOAs) facing delinquency for past-due assessments. It broadens the definition of residential real property to include properties with up to four units, bringing more individuals under the program's scope. The bill outlines housing counselors' duties to assist both borrowers and unit owners in good faith to reach resolutions with lenders or associations. It also clarifies that referrals to mediation can occur up to 90 days before a trustee's sale, or 25 days before an amended sale date.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands and funds foreclosure mediation program, protecting homeowners from losing housing and broadening coverage to multi-unit properties, directly strengthening tenant/homeowner protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5232: Updating eligible uses for the essential needs and housing support program.

SB 5232 updates the Essential Needs and Housing Support (ENHS) program in Washington State, impacting individuals eligible for these services and the entities that provide them. The bill allows designated support entities to use funds more flexibly to provide essential needs items and housing support to recipients. A significant change is the allowance of direct cash assistance, including through debit cash cards, when identified in a client's housing stability plan, removing a prior restriction. It also expands eligibility to include certain low or extremely low-income elderly or disabled adults transitioning off other benefits. Additionally, the bill aligns the administration rate for ENHS entities with other programs funded by the home security fund.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves restrictions on direct cash assistance for housing stability plans, enabling flexible support under ENHS program to advance affordable housing access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5587: Concerning affordable housing development in counties not closing the gap between estimated existing housing units within the county and existing housing needs.

SB 5587 mandates that the Washington center for real estate research produce biennial reports, starting in 2026, analyzing existing housing units and needs across various income levels in each county. These reports will track each county's progress in addressing housing gaps and meeting emergency housing needs. The bill also amends the Public Works Board's criteria for financial assistance. It requires the board to prioritize public works projects that promote infill development or increase affordable housing in counties identified in these reports as having a gap between existing housing and housing needs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates housing gap reports and prioritizes infill development/affordability in public works funding, directly advancing affordable housing goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5471: Authorizing middle housing in unincorporated growth areas and unincorporated urban growth areas, certain limited areas of more intensive rural development, and fully contained communities.

Senate Bill 5471 authorizes counties to permit "middle housing" in specific unincorporated areas, including designated urban growth areas and certain limited rural development areas. This allows for up to four residential units on parcels typically zoned for single-family homes. Counties implementing this must ensure middle housing development standards are no more restrictive than those for single-family residences, while still allowing objective standards like setbacks to apply. All such housing must be served by appropriate water and sewer services, and county actions to implement these provisions are exempt from certain administrative and judicial appeals.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes multi-unit housing in single-family zones, increasing density and affordability without stricter regulations than existing standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing