Housing (Housing Finance)

in committee · Washington · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2236: Concerning the housing finance commission.

HB 2236 clarifies that Washington's Housing Finance Commission cannot compete with private lenders by offering home loans to individual buyers for single-family homes. The bill explicitly prohibits the Commission from originating or making residential mortgage loans for owner-occupied housing (except for down payment assistance programs), redirecting its focus to multifamily and nonowner-occupied housing financing. It amends existing law to ensure the Commission acts as a financial conduit for affordable housing projects without replacing private mortgage services. The changes aim to streamline financing for rental housing while preserving the role of licensed lenders in the residential mortgage market.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill prohibits Housing Finance Commission from offering residential mortgage loans for single-family owner-occupied homes, restricting affordable financing options for individual homebuyers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2359: Modifying requirements and allowed uses for certain funding related to providing and maintaining affordable housing and related services.

HB 2359 modifies Washington state law to change how a 0.1% sales tax revenue can be used for affordable housing and related services. It requires at least 60% of the funds to be spent on building or maintaining housing for low-income residents (at or below 60% of county median income), including veterans, the homeless, and people with disabilities, or on behavioral health facilities. The bill also mandates that 15% of new housing units must be reserved for people living near the facility, and allows local governments to use bonds and interlocal agreements to finance these projects. This law affects counties and cities that impose the tax, directing funds toward specific housing and services while ensuring community-focused allocation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects 0.1% sales tax revenue to fund affordable housing for low-income groups, mandating 60% allocation for housing/services and 15% reserved locally, strengthening fiscal support for housing programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires 60% of funds for behavioral health facilities, explicitly supporting mental health services as part of healthcare policy.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires 60% of funds for low-income housing (≤60% AMI) including homeless/veterans/disabled, mandates 15% units for nearby residents, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill requires 60% of funds for housing including veterans as eligible beneficiaries among low-income groups, explicitly targeting veteran housing needs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax Mental Health Affordable Housing Homelessness Housing Finance

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in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 6256: Concerning tax exemptions for unoccupied property used for affordable housing that is owned by a nonprofit entity.

SB 6256 creates a property tax exemption for unoccupied real estate owned by nonprofit entities that will be used for affordable housing within three years. It directly affects nonprofits planning to develop or renovate housing for households earning at or below 50% of the area median income (as defined by HUD). Key provisions require nonprofits to secure financing from specified sources (like state housing programs or affordable housing levies) and maintain at least 75% occupancy by qualifying households to qualify for full exemption. Partial exemptions apply if occupancy falls below 75%, calculated based on the proportion of qualifying units. The bill expands existing exemptions to cover unoccupied properties during development or renovation, ensuring tax relief aligns with future affordable housing use.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates property tax exemption for nonprofits developing affordable housing, providing tax relief for low-income housing initiatives and reducing property tax burden.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax exemption for nonprofits developing affordable housing for households at or below 50% AMI, directly advancing affordable housing access through financial incentives.95% confidence

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

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in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 5884: Expanding the limited sales and use tax incentive program to encourage redevelopment of underutilized property.

SB 5884 expands a sales and use tax deferral program to incentivize redevelopment of underutilized property in qualifying cities (with populations of 135,000-275,000). It directly affects property owners who develop affordable housing - both rental and homeownership - for low- or moderate-income households, as defined by federal income thresholds. The key mechanism allows qualifying developers to defer paying sales and use taxes on eligible projects, provided they maintain affordable housing for at least 10 years. This applies to vacant land, partially used land, or underutilized property (like surface parking lots) identified by city authorities as suitable for affordable housing redevelopment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax deferral for affordable housing developers, providing tax relief to incentivize redevelopment. Directly uses tax policy to support affordable housing funding.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tax deferral for affordable housing redevelopment, directly incentivizing low/moderate-income housing projects through sales/use tax incentives.95% confidence

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

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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

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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

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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

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 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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