Housing (Affordable Housing)

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SR 8697: Celebrating the 40th anniversary of habitat for humanity Seattle-King and Kittitas counties.

This Senate resolution formally recognizes the 40th anniversary of Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King and Kittitas Counties, an organization that provides affordable homeownership to low-income families. The bill highlights the nonprofit's achievements, including the construction of 458 homes, advocacy for housing policies, and mobilization of over 600,000 volunteer hours since its founding in 1986. It expresses appreciation for the organization's economic impact and community contributions while encouraging continued efforts to expand affordable housing opportunities.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill recognizes Habitat for Humanity's work providing affordable homeownership to low-income families, highlighting their construction of homes and advocacy for housing policies.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 2527: Increasing opportunities for tenants to own homes under eventual tenant ownership programs established under the federal low-income housing tax credit program.

This bill requires private developers using federal low-income housing tax credits to formally transfer home ownership to tenants through programs like rent-to-own or eventual tenant ownership. Developers must set aside funds, clearly inform tenants of ownership rights, and complete transfers on time per agreements. The state housing agency must monitor progress annually, investigate tenant complaints within six months, and impose penalties - including losing future tax credits - for violations. It directly affects developers participating in these federal programs and tenants seeking homeownership opportunities.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates tenant ownership transfers in low-income housing tax credit programs, advancing affordable housing and tenant rights through rent-to-own mechanisms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 2227: Providing a real estate excise tax exemption for the sale of qualified affordable housing.

HB 2227 would exempt sales of "qualified affordable housing" from Washington's real estate excise tax. This bill amends the state's tax code (RCW 82.45.010) to create this specific exemption for qualifying affordable housing properties. The exemption directly affects sellers of eligible affordable housing units, reducing their tax burden when selling such properties. The bill is currently pending in the House Finance Committee after being prefaced in December 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts affordable housing sales from real estate tax, providing targeted tax relief for lower-income housing transactions.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts affordable housing sales from real estate tax, reducing seller costs to encourage development and increase supply of affordable units.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 14, 2026

HB 2486: Controlling costs imposed by the state energy code.

HB 2486 aims to reduce construction costs for housing by adjusting Washington's state energy code requirements. It directs the state building code council to prevent cost increases when updating the energy code, specifically prohibiting new requirements that would raise construction costs for homes under 1,700 square feet beyond 2026 baseline levels during 2026 and 2029 code cycles. Code officials can approve less costly energy code alternatives for small residential projects if full compliance would be "economically impractical" (costs wouldn't be recovered through energy savings within 10 years), and must allow affordable housing projects to use older, less expensive energy code versions. The bill directly affects homebuilders, developers, and local code enforcement officials for single-family and small multifamily residential construction.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill prohibits cost-increasing energy code updates for small homes, restricting stricter efficiency standards that would raise construction costs beyond 2026 baseline levels.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill reduces construction costs for housing by limiting energy code cost increases, directly advancing affordability for small homes under 1,700 sq ft.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Affordable Housing Building Codes

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 6028: Establishing a revolving loan fund for mixed-income affordable homeownership development.

SB 6028 creates a revolving loan fund administered by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission to support mixed-income housing developments where a portion of units are permanently affordable for low-income households (defined as those earning under 80% of the county median income). The fund provides loans to eligible developers (nonprofits, for-profits, public agencies) up to $5 million or 50% of project costs, requiring all affordable units to be sold/resold only to low-income households for at least 99 years via deed restrictions. Repaid loans and interest are recycled into new projects, with geographic limits of $5 million per county per funding round to ensure statewide distribution. The bill mandates strict monitoring to verify affordability compliance and penalties for noncompliance, including repayment of full loans plus interest for unmet affordability targets.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-administered revolving loan fund ($5M max) to finance affordable housing, directly funding a public service through state fiscal management.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingSB 6028 establishes a revolving loan fund to create mixed-income housing with permanently affordable units for low-income households (under 80% AMI), directly funding affordable housing development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

Track

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 27, 2026

SB 6027: Modifying requirements and allowed uses for certain funding related to providing and maintaining affordable housing and related services.

SB 6027 allows Washington counties and cities to impose up to a 0.1% sales tax to fund affordable housing and related services. It requires at least 60% of the revenue to support housing construction, rehabilitation, or services for specific groups including homeless individuals, veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities. The bill limits how funds can be used (capping supplanting of existing local funds at 10%) and mandates that counties coordinate with cities on projects, prioritizing 15% of housing units for residents with local ties. It also permits using funds to offset state/federal reductions and authorizes bonds for housing development.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 0.1% sales tax to fund affordable housing, requiring 60% revenue for housing construction/services, directly advancing fiscal support for essential housing programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllows 0.1% sales tax funding for affordable housing construction/services, requiring 60% allocation to vulnerable groups (homeless, veterans, seniors, disabled) with coordination mandates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Affordable Housing Homelessness Housing Finance

signed · Washington · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2442: Providing local governments tax resources and fund flexibility.

HB 2442 allows Washington counties and cities to impose specific real estate excise taxes to fund local capital projects and affordable housing. It authorizes a 0.25% tax on real property sales for general capital projects (like streets, parks, and sewer systems), with strict usage rules requiring projects to align with comprehensive plans. Additionally, it creates a separate 0.5% tax exclusively for affordable housing development, including acquisition, construction, and maintenance for low- and moderate-income residents. Local governments must document funding plans for future projects and follow voter approval processes for new taxes, while funds must be managed through competitive grant processes for housing initiatives. The bill directly affects local governments by expanding their tax tools for infrastructure and housing priorities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes local real estate taxes (0.25%/0.5%) to fund capital projects and affordable housing, directly advancing public service funding through new tax mechanisms.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates 0.5% tax exclusively for affordable housing development, including construction and maintenance for low-income housing.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly authorizes 0.25% tax for streets (transportation infrastructure) as part of general capital projects under the tax provisions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes Tags Local Government

in committee · Washington · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 2673: Establishing tax exemptions for property used as affordable housing owned or operated by a social housing agency.

HB 2673 proposes a tax exemption for property used as affordable housing owned or operated by social housing agencies in Washington State. This bill directly affects affordable housing providers by removing certain property taxes on qualifying properties. The key mechanism adds an exemption to existing tax codes, specifically excluding from taxation real property used for affordable housing under a social housing agency's ownership or operation. The exemption applies to properties meeting the bill's defined criteria for affordable housing use, without altering other tax obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax exemption for affordable housing properties, reducing property tax burden on social housing agencies, aligning with tax relief for lower-income housing services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingTax exemption for affordable housing properties reduces costs for social housing agencies, directly advancing affordable housing access and development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

Track

passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2650: Concerning notifications and effective dates for department of revenue administration of certain excise taxes.

HB 2650 creates a tax deferral program for property owners developing affordable housing on underdeveloped land (like surface parking lots) in qualifying cities. It requires owners to complete construction within three years, offer housing to low/moderate-income households (costing ≤30% of income), and submit verification to cities within 30 days of a certificate of occupancy. Cities must then confirm compliance with affordability and construction standards before the Department of Revenue finalizes the sales/use tax deferral. The bill directly affects property developers, local cities administering the program, and the Department of Revenue. If requirements aren’t met, cities can deny the deferral or require interest on nonqualifying taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax deferral for affordable housing developers, reducing immediate tax burden to incentivize low-income housing construction.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax deferral for affordable housing development on underused land, requiring 30% income cap and city verification to increase affordable units.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 6211: Creating uniformity for the process by which cities planning under the growth management act implement real estate excise taxes.

SB 6211 standardizes how Washington cities and counties under the Growth Management Act can impose a 0.25% real estate sales tax to fund capital projects. It directly affects local governments by requiring them to use tax revenue exclusively for specific capital projects like streets, parks, airports, and affordable housing/homeless facilities, as defined in the bill. Key mechanisms include mandating voter approval for new taxes in certain areas, restricting fund use to projects in comprehensive plans, and allowing up to 25% of funds for affordable housing initiatives through established collaborations. The bill also preserves existing commitments for pre-1992 debt or projects while requiring documentation of future capital project funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesStandardizes 0.25% real estate tax for capital projects (streets, parks, affordable housing), directing funds to public infrastructure per bill's explicit mandate.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates tax revenue use for affordable housing/homeless facilities per specific capital project requirements, directly funding housing initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue Sales Tax Affordable Housing Homelessness Property Taxes

Track