Housing

signed · Washington · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 1183: Concerning building code and development regulation reform.

HB 1183 reforms building codes and development regulations for cities and counties in Washington to encourage affordable and sustainable building practices. The bill mandates that cities allow for increased housing density, reduced parking requirements, and streamlined permitting when adding residential units within existing commercial or mixed-use buildings. It also provides flexibility in setback and roof height rules for existing buildings undergoing residential retrofits and for new construction or retrofits meeting "passive house" energy efficiency standards. These changes aim to reduce regulatory barriers for converting existing structures into homes and promote energy-efficient construction.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates increased housing density, reduced parking requirements, and streamlined permitting to encourage affordable housing development per bill summary.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Washington · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 1696: Modifying the covenant homeownership program.

This bill modifies Washington's covenant homeownership program, which provides down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers from historically marginalized communities. It raises the household income eligibility threshold for participants from 100% to 140% of the area median income. The bill also introduces a provision allowing for full loan forgiveness after five years for participants whose household income is at or below 80% of the area median income at the time of the loan. Additionally, it adjusts the membership of the program's oversight committee.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRaises income eligibility threshold for homeownership program and provides loan forgiveness for low-income participants, expanding access to affordable housing for marginalized communities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Washington · House Apr 21, 2025

HB 1540: Expanding eligibility for the students experiencing homelessness and foster youth program to an accredited tribal college.

HB 1540 expands eligibility for the "students experiencing homelessness and foster youth program" to include accredited public tribal colleges in Washington. This program, previously available only at public four-year institutions, provides assistance to students experiencing homelessness and those who were in the foster care system when they graduated high school. Support services can include access to laundry, storage, reduced-price meals, technology, housing assistance, and case management. Participating institutions are also enabled to develop affordable housing from surplus property and are required to submit annual reports to the legislature on the program's impact.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands access to support services for homeless/foster youth at tribal colleges, enhancing higher education accessibility for vulnerable students.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands housing assistance program to tribal colleges, directly supporting homeless students' housing needs as part of eligibility expansion.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Washington · House Apr 21, 2025

HB 1260: Concerning administrative costs associated with the document recording fee.

HB 1260 updates the rules for how administrative costs are handled for the $183 document recording fee in Washington state. The bill maintains the existing surcharge on recorded documents and its distribution to county auditors, counties, and state accounts for housing and homeless services. It specifically amends how counties can use their share of these funds for local homeless housing plans and related administrative costs. This includes new provisions for how funds are distributed to cities that operate their own homeless housing programs, allowing them to receive funds directly for program and administrative expenses.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMaintains surcharge distribution to state housing/homeless services accounts and amends county fund use for homeless housing plans, directly funding housing initiatives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Washington · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 1760: Removing barriers for organizations selling manufactured homes to low-income households.

House Bill 1760 aims to remove regulatory barriers for organizations that sell manufactured homes to low-income households at cost. The bill directly affects these organizations and the low-income individuals they serve by facilitating access to affordable housing options. It achieves this by amending RCW 46.70.011, which pertains to vehicle dealer regulations and related definitions. This change is intended to streamline the process for these specific types of manufactured home sales.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves regulatory barriers for low-income manufactured home sales, directly increasing affordable housing access at cost.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Washington · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 1191: Concerning removing vehicle titles from manufactured homes.

HB 1191 eliminates vehicle-style titles for manufactured homes in Washington State, treating them as real property attached to land instead of personal property. Homeowners who voluntarily apply through their county auditor can remove the title, after which the home is conveyed with the land via deed or lease rather than a separate title. The law changes how ownership and security interests (like mortgages) are handled, requiring that untitled manufactured homes be transferred with the land they sit on. This applies only to homes where owners choose to eliminate the title through the county recording process, not to all manufactured homes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingTreats manufactured homes as real property, strengthening property rights and financing options for a common affordable housing type, supporting housing stability.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Washington · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 1075: Expanding housing supply by supporting the ability of public housing authorities to finance affordable housing developments.

HB 1075 amends Washington state law to give public housing authorities more tools to finance affordable housing developments. It allows authorities to form partnerships with nonprofits, include wage requirements in contracts, and manage commercial space within housing projects, while requiring that at least 50% of units in new developments serve low-income residents. The bill directly affects public housing authorities and the low-income renters they serve by streamlining their ability to build and maintain affordable housing. The law, effective July 27, 2025, updates existing authority powers under RCW 35.82.070 to support expanded housing supply.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires 50% low-income units, expands financing tools for public housing authorities, and enables nonprofit partnerships to increase affordable housing supply.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates wage requirements in housing development contracts, directly advancing worker compensation standards for construction labor in affordable housing projects.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Washington · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 1003: Addressing service of notice by mail in cases involving forcible entry and forcible and unlawful detainer.

HB 1003 amends Washington state law to clarify how eviction notices must be served by mail in forcible entry and unlawful detainer cases. It requires that notices sent by certified mail (from within Washington) be considered complete upon deposit in the U.S. mail, and adds a mandatory five-day waiting period before an eviction action can begin after mail service. The bill directly affects tenants, landlords, and legal processes in housing disputes by standardizing mail service procedures and extending the timeframe for tenants to respond. This change, effective July 27, 2025, aims to ensure clearer notice delivery in eviction cases while providing additional time for affected residents.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAdds mandatory 5-day waiting period for eviction notices, strengthening tenant protections in housing disputes.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Washington · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 1353: Establishing a self-certification program for accessory dwelling unit project permit applications.

HB 1353 creates a program allowing cities in Washington to let registered architects self-certify that accessory dwelling unit (ADU) projects meet building code requirements, instead of requiring full city review. This directly affects homeowners building ADUs, architects who can self-certify, and cities that choose to adopt the program. Key provisions include mandatory random audits (at least 20% of applications yearly), penalties for failed audits (temporary suspension for first failure, permanent ban for second within 5 years), and requirements for architects to maintain insurance. Cities must also track and share audit results with a state database to prevent problematic architects from participating in other cities. The law aims to streamline ADU permitting while maintaining safety through oversight.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStreamlines ADU permitting to increase housing supply, aligning with affordable housing goals by reducing bureaucratic barriers for accessory dwelling units.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Washington · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 1094: Providing a property tax exemption for property owned by a qualifying nonprofit organization and loaned, leased, or rented to and used by any government entity to provide character-building, benevolent, protective, or rehabilitative social services.

HB 1094 creates a property tax exemption for nonprofit organizations that loan, lease, or rent property to government entities (like cities, counties, or state agencies) for character-building, benevolent, protective, or rehabilitative social services - such as youth programs, homeless shelters, or community health initiatives. It directly affects qualifying nonprofits that provide these services and government agencies using their facilities. The key provision expands existing tax exemptions by allowing property used by government for these purposes to be exempt, even if owned by a nonprofit. This policy change aims to reduce costs for nonprofits and governments delivering essential community services, effective July 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates property tax exemption for nonprofits providing social services, reducing tax burden to support public service delivery and fiscal alignment with government programs.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides tax exemption for nonprofits offering rehabilitative social services (e.g., homeless shelters, youth programs), directly supporting criminal justice reform through rehabilitation initiatives.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides property tax exemption for nonprofits leasing to government for homeless shelters and social services, directly supporting affordable housing access and homelessness initiatives.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing