Housing

signed · Washington · Senate May 7, 2025

SB 5298: Concerning the notice of sale or lease of manufactured/mobile home communities.

Senate Bill 5298 modifies the process for selling manufactured/mobile home communities, directly affecting community owners and their tenants. It requires owners to provide written notice of their intent to sell to each tenant, qualified tenant organizations, and several government agencies before marketing the property or considering an offer. Tenants, acting through a qualified organization, are then given 70 days to express interest in purchasing the community. The bill also mandates good faith negotiation, including owners providing tenants access to information like operating expenses, and outlines remedies for substantial non-compliance.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires tenant notice and 70-day purchase window for manufactured home communities, strengthening tenant rights against displacement and preserving affordable housing options.85% confidence

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1089: Concerning eviction reform and tenant safety.

HB 1089 streamlines eviction lawsuits by standardizing summons forms and clarifying response deadlines for tenants. It requires courts to provide clear notices with specific deadlines (5:00 p.m. on a set date), tenant resources (like free legal aid hotlines), and instructions for responding in writing. The bill affects landlords, tenants, and courts by modifying procedures under Washington’s Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, particularly for unlawful detainer actions. Key changes include mandating standardized summons wording and specifying how tenants must submit written responses to avoid default judgments. These updates aim to reduce delays in eviction proceedings while ensuring tenants receive accessible information about their rights.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates clear eviction notices, legal aid resources, and standardized procedures to protect tenants from unfair evictions under housing law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5614: Concerning impact fees.

SB 5614 requires Washington counties and cities to create systems deferring impact fees for single-family and attached residential construction. Local governments must allow homeowners to delay full payment until final inspection, certificate of occupancy, or the first property sale after a building permit is issued, documented through a promissory note. If fees aren’t paid within one month of the first sale, penalties (5% escalating to 20%) and interest apply, but these are personal liabilities - not property liens. The bill affects homebuilders (who must arrange deferrals), buyers (who may pay fees at closing), and local governments (which must implement the system by September 2026).

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingDeferring impact fees reduces upfront costs for residential developers, potentially increasing housing supply and affordability by easing financial barriers to construction.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1165: Expanding access to the property tax exemption program for seniors, people retired due to disability, and veterans with disabilities.

HB 1165 expands Washington state's property tax exemption program to help seniors, people retired due to disability, and veterans with disabilities keep their homes. The bill creates three income thresholds based on combined disposable income (including certain medical expenses), setting limits at 50%, 60%, and 70% of county median household income for 2024-2026. Homeowners meeting these income thresholds for their primary residence qualify for reduced property taxes, with thresholds adjusted every three years. This directly affects eligible residents who own or rent their primary home and meet the income criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax relief for qualifying low/middle-income seniors, disabled retirees, and veterans via income-based thresholds, reducing tax burden on vulnerable groups.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides property tax relief to seniors, disabled retirees, and veterans with disabilities, reducing housing costs and preventing displacement, directly advancing affordable housing access for vulnerable homeowners.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly adds veterans with disabilities to property tax exemption program, expanding access to benefits for this group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes Renters

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5747: Concerning an exemption for affordable housing.

SB 5747 exempts affordable housing projects from current state building code requirements, allowing cities and counties to enforce older building codes (the last four iterations) to lower construction costs and speed development. It directly affects developers and local governments building housing defined as affordable - rental units costing ≤30% of household income or owner-occupied housing for low/moderate-income households (≤80% of local median income). The bill amends Washington’s building code statutes (RCW 19.27 and 19.27A) to create this exemption specifically for affordable housing projects. This policy change aims to increase housing supply by reducing regulatory barriers for qualifying developments.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts affordable housing from current building codes to lower costs and accelerate development, directly advancing affordable housing access for low/moderate-income households.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Building Codes Property Development

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2024: Providing housing safety, security, and protection by creating the primary residence property tax exemption.

HB 2024 creates a state property tax exemption for Washington homeowners' primary residences, reducing their state tax burden. It exempts either $100,000 of a home's assessed value or 60% of the county's median home value (whichever is greater), applied after other existing exemptions. This directly benefits primary residence owners - especially fixed-income households and those at risk of displacement - by lowering annual state property tax costs. The exemption applies only to state levies (not local taxes) and requires an annual application by April 1st, with verification to ensure it applies to only one residence.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates property tax exemption for primary residences, reducing tax burden on fixed-income homeowners - direct tax relief aligning with support indicators.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts primary residence property taxes, reducing costs for homeowners - especially fixed-income households at risk of displacement - directly advancing housing affordability and stability.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Homeownership Property Taxes

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passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5749: Concerning housing development opportunity zones.

SB 5749 allows cities and code cities to designate "housing development opportunity zones" in underutilized areas with existing large commercial structures, such as shopping malls or vacant stores. Within these zones, residential development is prioritized, and projects are encouraged to use existing infrastructure and site areas to help reduce costs. Cities may also waive impact fees for developments in these zones, and designations can be implemented outside of typical planning cycles, provided they are included in the next comprehensive plan update. The bill mandates a review by 2043 to assess the number of housing and affordable housing units created, with a provision for potential repeal if affordable housing targets are not met, and the act is set to expire on July 1, 2045.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingDesignates zones for residential development, waives impact fees, and prioritizes using existing infrastructure to lower costs, directly advancing housing development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning

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signed · Washington · House May 7, 2025

HB 1516: Conducting a study of insurance coverage options for permanently affordable homeownership units.

House Bill 1516 directs the Office of the Insurance Commissioner to conduct a study on insurance coverage options for permanently affordable homeownership units. The study's purpose is to explore ways to reduce costs related to condominium construction defect liability for homes sponsored by nonprofit organizations or government entities. It requires consultation with various stakeholders, including insurers, sponsoring organizations, and the construction industry. The Insurance Commissioner will submit a report to the legislature by December 31, 2026, including an analysis of risk pools and recommendations for new insurance mechanisms to lower these costs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directs study to reduce insurance costs for nonprofit/govt affordable housing units, lowering development barriers for permanently affordable homeownership.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1915: Strengthening tenant protections.

HB 1915 strengthens tenant protections by restricting no-cause evictions and setting specific notice requirements for landlords. It mandates 60 days' written notice for ending 6-12 month leases without cause, and requires 30 days' notice for nonpayment evictions in "covered" housing (federally assisted properties or those with federally backed mortgages). Tenants in these properties can defend against evictions if landlords failed to maintain habitable conditions, with courts able to award damages and attorney fees. The bill directly affects renters in Washington State, particularly those in subsidized housing, by limiting landlord flexibility and reinforcing habitability standards.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRestricts no-cause evictions and mandates notice periods for tenant protections, directly strengthening tenant rights per housing policy indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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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

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership

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