Housing (Affordable 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

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1480: Allowing all counties to impose a real estate excise tax for the purpose of developing affordable housing, subject to the will of the voters.

HB 1480 would allow any Washington county to impose a 0.5% tax on real estate sales to fund affordable housing, but only with voter approval. The tax revenue must be used exclusively for developing housing for very low, low, and moderate-income residents, including construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance. Counties must create a spending plan with public input before seeking voter approval, and the tax would be collected from both buyers and sellers (with at least half of the burden on the buyer). The tax would take effect 30 days after voter approval.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a new tax to fund affordable housing programs, directly allocating revenue to a public service as required by the tax structure.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates dedicated funding mechanism for affordable housing development via county real estate tax, requiring revenue use for low/moderate-income housing construction and maintenance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1206: Expanding eligibility to utilize the multifamily tax exemption program to all counties required or choosing to plan under RCW 36.70A.040.

HB 1206 expands eligibility for Washington's multifamily tax exemption program to all counties required or choosing to plan under the Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A.040), removing a previous population threshold. The bill amends tax code definitions to include any qualifying county under the Growth Management Act, regardless of unincorporated population size. This change directly affects counties that must develop or choose to develop comprehensive plans under state law, enabling them to offer tax incentives for multifamily housing projects. The key mechanism is revising eligibility criteria to eliminate the prior minimum population requirement for counties seeking to use this program. The policy change aims to broaden access to tax incentives for affordable housing development across more jurisdictions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax exemption eligibility to all qualifying counties, providing broader tax relief under the multifamily program without increasing taxes or restricting funding.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tax exemption for multifamily housing development to all qualifying counties, removing population barriers to increase housing supply and accessibility.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Property Development Property Taxes

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5771: Increasing the working families' tax credit to reflect the economic impact of property taxes incorporated into rental amounts charged to residential tenants.

SB 5771 adds a new $300 annual tax credit for low-income renters in Washington who paid rent for their primary residence (including mobile home lots) for at least 183 days during the year. This credit directly affects eligible individuals who already qualify for the existing Working Families Tax Credit but also face property taxes included in their rent. The credit is calculated based on rental duration (183+ days), adjusted for inflation starting in 2027, and reduces at specific income levels as outlined in the bill. It expands the existing credit program to specifically address the financial impact of property taxes embedded in rental costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdds $300 annual tax credit for low-income renters facing property taxes in rent, providing direct tax relief to lower-income households.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides $300 annual tax credit to low-income renters for property taxes included in rent, directly increasing housing affordability for tenants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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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

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Affordable Housing Renters

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1365: Providing rental assistance to manufactured/mobile home park tenants.

HB 1365 creates a state rental assistance program for low-income tenants in manufactured/mobile home parks who are over 55 and facing rent increases exceeding inflation. The program provides monthly assistance of up to $200 or 50% of their lot rent (whichever is lower), administered by the Department of Commerce. Tenants must reapply annually and report income or rent changes, with eligibility based on household income under 80% of local median income. The program is funded by a $2 million appropriation for fiscal year 2026, separate from existing relocation funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds a $2M state rental assistance program for low-income seniors, increasing government spending on housing support within budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates state-funded rental assistance for low-income seniors in mobile home parks facing excessive rent hikes, directly advancing affordable housing and tenant protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1763: Providing state funding for essential affordable housing programs.

HB 1763 imposes a 6% tax on short-term rental platforms (like Airbnb) starting January 2026. Revenue from this tax funds local affordable housing programs and housing infrastructure projects (such as water, sewer, and transportation systems) in counties and cities. Local governments must use the funds exclusively for homeless services, shelters, or infrastructure, with requirements including limiting single-family units to 2,000 square feet and requiring urban annexation for projects within growth boundaries. The bill directly affects short-term rental platforms (as taxpayers) and local governments (as fund recipients).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 6% tax on short-term rentals to fund affordable housing and infrastructure, directly increasing public service funding through new tax revenue.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill imposes tax on short-term rentals to fund affordable housing programs, homeless services, and housing infrastructure per explicit summary.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds transportation systems as eligible infrastructure under housing projects, directly supporting transportation infrastructure funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Affordable Housing Homelessness Property Taxes

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signed · Washington · Senate May 7, 2025

SB 5529: Amending the county population threshold for counties that may exempt from taxation the value of accessory dwelling units to incentivize rental to low-income households.

Senate Bill 5529 amends the county population requirements for jurisdictions that can offer property tax exemptions on accessory dwelling units (ADUs). It lowers the minimum population threshold, allowing counties with populations between 900,000 and 1,500,000 to also exempt ADUs from taxation. This aims to incentivize homeowners to rent these units to low-income households, provided conditions like tenant income verification and rent limits are met. For these newly eligible counties, the exemption specifically applies to detached ADUs and requires a local legislative authority resolution.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates property tax exemptions for ADUs rented to low-income households, providing targeted tax relief to incentivize affordable housing while meeting income verification requirements.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill lowers population threshold for ADU tax exemptions to incentivize low-income rentals, directly increasing affordable housing access through tax incentives for property owners.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Affordable Housing Property Taxes Zoning

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1808: Creating an affordable homeownership revolving loan fund program.

HB 1808 creates a state-funded revolving loan program to support permanently affordable homeownership for low-income households. The program provides loans (up to 50% of project costs) to nonprofit developers building housing that remains affordable for at least 99 years through long-term restrictions on resale and ownership. Loans carry interest rates between 1% and 2.5%, with repayments recycled into the fund to finance new projects. This directly affects low-income homebuyers (defined as households earning ≤80% of local median income) and nonprofit developers who build housing meeting specific affordability standards.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesState allocates budget funds to create a revolving loan program for affordable housing, directly funding a public service for low-income households.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates state-funded revolving loan program for low-income homeownership, providing affordable financing with long-term affordability restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2025: Increasing the working families' tax credit to reflect the economic impact of property taxes incorporated into rental amounts charged to residential tenants.

HB 2025 adds a new $300 annual tax credit for low-income renters in Washington who pay sales or use tax. Eligible residents must have rented their primary residence for at least 183 days during the year and meet existing credit requirements. The credit, effective starting in 2026, will be adjusted annually for inflation based on the Seattle consumer price index. This directly supports residential tenants whose rent includes property tax costs, expanding the existing working families' tax credit program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdds $300 annual tax credit for low-income renters, providing direct tax relief to offset property tax costs in rent, aligning with tax relief for lower income.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides $300 annual tax credit to low-income renters for property tax embedded in rent, directly increasing housing affordability and tenant financial relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Tax Credits Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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