Housing

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 14, 2026

SB 5552: Concerning the creation of building codes for kit homes.

SB 5552 aims to create a new category of building codes specifically for "kit homes" to increase affordable housing options. The bill defines kit homes as residential structures 800 square feet or smaller, built from prefabricated walls, floors, and roofs assembled on-site. It directs the State Building Code Council to establish these specific building codes for kit homes by December 31, 2025. This initiative is intended to provide more affordable small homes for homebuyers of modest means.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates building codes for kit homes (≤800 sq ft) to boost affordable housing access for modest-income buyers, directly advancing affordable housing options.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 6220: Ensuring nonprofit housing providers qualify for a property tax exemption when the property is temporarily used for certain community purposes other than affordable housing.

SB 6220 expands property tax exemption eligibility for nonprofit housing providers in Washington State. It allows these organizations to temporarily use their properties for certain community purposes (like events or gatherings) without losing their tax exemption, as long as the use doesn’t exceed 50 days per year and only 15 days are used for business promotion. The bill modifies tax code provisions to clarify that such temporary community uses - when not for profit and within specified limits - do not invalidate the exemption. This directly affects nonprofit housing providers seeking tax relief while hosting community activities beyond affordable housing operations. The bill is currently in committee review after its first reading.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands property tax exemption for nonprofit housing providers, providing tax relief by allowing temporary community uses without losing exemption. Directly modifies tax code for tax policy.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tax exemptions for nonprofit housing providers, reducing operational costs to sustain affordable housing efforts without restricting community use.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 6184: Updating the office of homeless youth program provisions.

SB 6184 updates Washington state's definitions and administrative provisions for homeless youth programs, primarily affecting unaccompanied homeless youth and HOPE centers (facilities providing temporary housing and services). The bill specifically limits stays at HOPE centers to 90 days for most unaccompanied homeless youth, requiring department approval for extensions, while allowing longer stays if a parent arranges return. It revises key terms like "homeless person," "HOPE center," and "street outreach services" to clarify program eligibility and operations. These changes aim to standardize definitions across state agencies and align with existing homelessness housing frameworks without introducing new funding or major program shifts.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill limits HOPE center stays to 90 days for homeless youth, restricting housing assistance duration and limiting temporary housing options for vulnerable populations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Housing

Track

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5831: Enacting the uniform mortgage modification act.

SB 5831, the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act, standardizes rules for modifying home mortgages in Washington State. It applies to changes like interest rate reductions, maturity date extensions, payment schedule adjustments, or forgiveness of unpaid amounts, directly affecting homeowners and lenders. The law ensures these modifications don’t change a mortgage’s legal priority or require recording, preserving the mortgage’s original standing. It covers specific modifications listed in the bill but excludes changes to property encumbrances, obligors, or mortgage assignments. The act aligns Washington with a nationally recognized model to streamline mortgage relief processes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents foreclosure by standardizing mortgage modifications, supporting housing stability and property rights without weakening tenant protections.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5374: Including tribal representation in certain transportation activities.

Senate Bill 5374 is titled "Including tribal representation in certain transportation activities." While the bill's stated purpose is to incorporate tribal representation, the provided text primarily details amendments to comprehensive planning requirements for counties and cities. These amendments focus on strengthening land use elements to address environmental justice and wildfire risk, and enhancing housing elements to ensure adequate provisions for diverse income levels, address racially disparate impacts, and implement antidisplacement policies. The specific mechanisms for tribal representation in transportation activities are not detailed in this excerpt.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAmends housing elements to ensure diverse income provisions and address racial disparities, directly advancing housing equity goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5496: Preserving homeownership options by limiting excessive home buying by certain entities.

SB 5496 would limit large investment entities (like real estate investment trusts and pooled fund managers) and businesses owning over 50 single-family homes from purchasing additional single-family homes in Washington. It prohibits these entities from acquiring new properties, with limited exceptions for nonprofits, properties needing code modifications, or short-term conversions to multifamily housing. Violations could result in a $100,000 penalty per violation and require the property to be sold to a third party within one year. The bill aims to increase housing availability for residents by restricting large-scale investor purchases, which the legislature cites as contributing to the state's housing affordability crisis. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Rules Committee and has not advanced to final passage.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill restricts large entities from buying single-family homes to preserve homeownership options, preventing market dominance that reduces affordability and access for individual buyers.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5729: Encouraging construction of affordable housing by streamlining the permitting process.

This bill, SB 5729, aims to encourage the construction of affordable housing in Washington state by streamlining the project permit application process for local governments and developers. It requires local governments to determine if an application is complete within 28 days, or it is automatically deemed complete. The bill also allows applications certified by licensed professional engineers or architects to be deemed complete by building departments. Furthermore, it introduces a "deemed approved" mechanism if local governments conduct more than six reviews or requests for information without demonstrating clear violations. Finally, it mandates combining environmental review with permit review and limits the process to one open record hearing and one closed record appeal.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill streamlines permitting to accelerate affordable housing construction, directly advancing development goals through faster processing timelines and certified professional approvals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SJM 8006: Concerning the limited license legal technician program.

Senate Joint Memorial 8006 petitions the Washington State Supreme Court to reinstate and expand its Limited License Legal Technician (LLLT) program. The memorial asks the Court to reverse its 2020 decision to end the program, citing a current shortage of attorneys and a need for legal services among low and moderate-income Washingtonians. It specifically requests the expansion of LLLT services within one year to include administrative law, eviction, and debt assistance. Additionally, the memorial asks for a work group to be formed to explore how LLLTs could help individuals charged with offenses in courts of limited jurisdiction. The aim is to increase access to legal representation for those facing legal challenges.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands legal aid for eviction assistance, directly supporting tenant protections in housing disputes per LLLT program expansion request.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5647: Providing a real estate excise tax exemption for the sale of qualified affordable housing.

Senate Bill 5647 establishes a new exemption from the real estate excise tax for the sale of properties designated as "qualified affordable housing." This means that sellers of these specific types of affordable homes would not be required to pay this tax. The bill achieves this by amending the existing state law that defines what constitutes a "sale" for real estate excise tax purposes, adding this new category of exempt transactions. This policy change aims to reduce the tax burden associated with the sale of affordable housing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts affordable housing sales from real estate tax, reducing burden on lower-income sellers, aligns with tax relief for middle/lower income.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts affordable housing sales from real estate tax, reducing seller costs to encourage development and increase affordable housing supply.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

signed · Washington · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 2269: Concerning middle housing in unincorporated areas.

HB 2269 allows counties to permit "middle housing" (like duplexes or small apartment buildings) on properties currently zoned for single-family homes in two specific areas: limited intensive rural development zones and designated urban growth areas. It requires counties to limit these projects to four units per lot and apply the same development standards (like setbacks and environmental rules) as single-family homes, without adding extra restrictions. The bill also mandates that middle housing in rural areas use public sewers or large on-site systems, while urban areas must have public water and sewer service. This policy directly affects property owners and developers in unincorporated Washington counties seeking to build more housing options.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPermits middle housing (duplexes/small apartments) in single-family zones to increase housing supply and affordability without added restrictions, directly advancing affordable housing development.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing