Housing

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1438: Ensuring efficient approval of certain housing permit applications.

HB 1438 sets strict time limits for Washington cities and counties to approve housing permit applications, requiring final decisions within 65 days for simple permits, 100 days for those needing public notice, and 170 days for projects requiring public hearings. If deadlines are missed, local governments must refund 10-20% of permit fees based on how long they exceed the timeline. The law applies specifically to housing projects in urban growth areas with residential units and excludes certain permit types or planning processes. It aims to streamline housing development by creating predictable, enforceable review timelines for local governments.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill streamlines housing permit approvals with strict deadlines, directly increasing housing development speed in urban areas to address supply shortages and affordability concerns.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Property Development

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5553: Providing a sales and use tax incentive for multifamily affordable housing.

SB 5553 creates a sales and use tax deferral program for developers converting underutilized commercial buildings or constructing new multifamily housing in areas with housing shortages. It requires at least 10% of units to be affordable to low-income households for 10 years and mandates completion within three years (with a possible 24-month extension). Cities must adopt specific application, approval, and appeal processes, and developers must verify they would not build without the incentive. This directly affects developers of qualifying affordable housing projects and local governments implementing the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates sales tax deferral incentive for affordable housing development, requiring 10% low-income units, aligning with tax relief for essential housing programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires 10% affordable units for low-income households for 10 years via tax incentive, directly advancing affordable housing development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

Track

signed · Washington · House May 17, 2025

HB 1096: Increasing housing options through lot splitting.

HB 1096 requires certain Washington cities, those with minimum density requirements under the Growth Management Act, to establish an administrative process for splitting residential lots. This process allows an existing residential lot to be divided into two, facilitating the creation of new middle housing or single-family homes, often with simultaneous review of a building permit. The lot split can be approved administratively by a planning director, without a public hearing, if specific conditions are met regarding lot size, utilities, and access. The bill aims to increase housing options for homeowners and prospective buyers, with the Department of Commerce providing guidance and grants to cities for implementation.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingHB 1096 explicitly increases housing options by enabling administrative lot splitting for middle housing/single-family homes, removing barriers to development per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Property Development Zoning

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1568: Modifying financial aid eligibility.

HB 1568 expands financial aid eligibility for Washington college students by raising the income threshold for full Washington College Grant coverage from 50% to 70% of the state median family income (adjusted for family size). It also creates a new $500 annual "bridge grant" for students receiving the maximum Washington College Grant but not the College Bound Scholarship, covering non-tuition costs like books, housing, and transportation. The bridge grant applies starting the 2025-26 academic year to students enrolled at least half-time. This bill directly affects low-income undergraduate students attending Washington state colleges and universities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state financial aid funding by raising income thresholds and adding $500 bridge grants, increasing public education spending per bill's summary.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands financial aid eligibility and adds bridge grant for college students, increasing access to higher education funding and reducing non-tuition barriers.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides $500 annual bridge grant covering housing costs for college students, directly supporting affordable housing access through financial aid expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

Track

signed · Washington · Senate May 7, 2025

SB 5611: Streamlining and clarifying local governments' land use permitting workloads.

Senate Bill 5611 streamlines land use permitting for local governments and property developers by clarifying alternative procedures for dividing land. It allows cities, towns, and counties to adopt ordinances enabling the use of binding site plans instead of traditional subdivision processes for specific property types. These types include commercially or industrially zoned land (now explicitly covering multifamily residential uses), property leased for non-permanent residential structures, and land intended for condominiums or co-ops. The bill also permits administrative approval for individual lot finalization and improvements once a general binding site plan is approved for industrial or commercial divisions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStreamlines permitting for multifamily residential developments, reducing barriers to housing construction and potentially increasing supply.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1717: Creating a sales and use tax remittance program for affordable housing.

HB 1717 creates a local sales and use tax remittance program for affordable housing projects in Washington. It allows cities and counties to adopt programs where developers of qualifying projects (with at least 50% units for low-income households at 30-38% of income for 40 years) can defer paying local sales taxes on construction costs. Developers must apply to local governments, meet affordability requirements, and complete projects within three years (extendable to five total), with local authorities setting application rules and oversight. The program directly affects nonprofit and for-profit housing developers, public housing authorities, and low-income households in qualifying projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax deferral for affordable housing developers, providing fiscal incentive to fund low-income housing projects through local tax remittance program.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax deferral for affordable housing projects, reducing developer costs to increase low-income housing supply (50% units at 30-38% AMI for 40 years).95% confidence

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

Track

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

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1161: Establishing the veteran employability training and career advancement for reentry program.

HB 1161 establishes a program to support veterans who are justice-involved (incarcerated, recently released, or in pretrial diversion programs in specific counties) and their immediate families. It requires a designated community college to provide transitional services, job readiness training, and individualized support plans, while partnering with corrections and workforce agencies. The program offers direct financial assistance to participants' families for housing ($1,000/month max), food ($500/month), transportation, and work-appropriate clothing/certificates, all within defined limits and eligibility criteria. Eligibility requires military service verification, participation within 24 months of release/diversion, and completion of an employment readiness assessment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds housing ($1,000/month) and food assistance for veterans' families through state budget allocation, directly advancing program implementation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirectly supports justice-involved veterans through job training, family financial aid, and reentry programs to reduce recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides direct housing financial assistance ($1,000/month max) to veterans' families through a designated program, funding affordable housing support.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides job readiness training, transitional services, and family financial aid to enhance veteran employability and reentry into workforce, directly advancing employment standards for a vulnerable group.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes veteran reentry program with job training, housing/food financial aid, directly advancing employment and support services for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1022: Creating a homes for heroes program.

HB 1022 creates a pilot program providing no-interest down payment and closing cost loans (up to $25,000) to essential workers in Washington state who meet income limits. It directly affects firefighters, nurses, police officers, emergency medical technicians, mental health professionals, social workers, child care providers, and veterans with household income below 100% of the state median. Loans require no repayment until the home is sold, rented, or refinanced, and the program is capped at $15 million in funding through June 2027. The bill mandates reporting on program outcomes to the legislature by 2026 and 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds essential workers' housing via state loan program, creating new budget allocation for public service housing initiative95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides no-interest down payment loans to essential workers meeting income limits, directly expanding affordable housing access for low-income households.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly includes veterans as eligible recipients for housing loans under the 'Homes for Heroes' program, directly providing financial assistance to veterans meeting income criteria.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

Track

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

Sub-Topics Homelessness