Housing (Homelessness)

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2370: Concerning assessment and support requirements for housing.

HB 2370 requires state-funded transitional and permanent supportive housing programs to assess all residents for substance use disorders and mandate treatment compliance (including abstaining from alcohol and non-prescription drugs) as a condition for remaining in housing. It directly affects individuals receiving housing services and the organizations operating these programs. The bill mandates tracking specific data points - like assessment dates, treatment participation, and discharge reasons - in a state database and requires annual reports on participant numbers, substance use diagnoses, and treatment compliance durations. These provisions aim to standardize accountability and monitor program effectiveness through data collection.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingMandates treatment compliance as condition for housing, restricting access for residents with substance use disorders, directly limiting housing availability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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

in committee · Washington · House Jan 14, 2026

HB 2484: Creating the youth development fund account to increase access to positive youth development programs.

HB 2484 creates a state youth development fund account to centralize public and private funding for programs serving youth aged 5-24. The fund will provide grants to nonprofits, tribes, parks departments, and community organizations (not directly to school districts) to support programs like mentorship, career navigation, arts/STEM, and social-emotional learning. Grants must prioritize geographic equity and at-risk youth groups, including those in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or living in poverty. Recipients must annually report program impacts to the superintendent of public instruction.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new state fund account to centralize public funding for youth programs, directly allocating government resources to support essential community services and at-risk youth initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prioritizes at-risk youth including those experiencing homelessness for grants, indirectly addressing housing needs through youth development programs.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Property Development

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2455: Creating a housing assistance pilot program for youth enrolled in extended foster care.

HB 2455 creates a two-year housing assistance pilot program for up to 50 youth in Washington's extended foster care system who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. The program provides rental assistance covering up to 24 months (until age 21), with participants paying no more than 30% of their income toward rent, based on local fair market rent. It requires the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to conduct transition planning for youth turning 21 and mandates a 2029 report detailing program outcomes, participant demographics, and costs by county. The bill directly affects youth aged 18-21 in extended foster care who face housing instability while navigating federal housing programs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates rental assistance pilot for homeless foster youth, providing housing support until age 21 with income-based rent caps.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Renters

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

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 5957: Concerning the office of homeless youth prevention and protection programs advisory committee.

SB 5957 creates a new Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Programs within Washington's Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The office must reduce youth homelessness by addressing root causes and improve long-term housing stability for homeless youth and young adults (ages 12-24). It requires the office to collect data, develop statewide strategies, and consult an advisory committee with diverse representation - including youth, advocates, law enforcement, and people with lived experience of homelessness. The bill mandates measurable goals, such as tracking homelessness rates and family reunification status, and requires the office to be operational by January 1, 2016.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates office to reduce youth homelessness and improve housing stability for ages 12-24, directly advancing housing stability for vulnerable population.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

in committee · Washington · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 2489: Establishing statewide standards for when local governments may enforce laws regulating the use of public space for life-sustaining activities.

HB 2489 establishes statewide rules preventing local governments from penalizing people for basic life-sustaining activities (like sleeping or eating in public) when no adequate shelter is available. It requires cities to prove shelter space existed before enforcing public space laws, and invalidates citations or prosecutions that violate this rule. The bill protects individuals experiencing homelessness from punishment for necessary activities while ensuring enforcement actions are limited to immediate safety risks. It does not create a right to shelter, but mandates cities to document shelter availability and coordinate with service providers to address homelessness.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents criminal penalties for homelessness-related activities when shelter unavailable, aligning with reform goals to reduce unnecessary criminalization of vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents criminalization of homelessness by requiring cities to prove shelter availability before enforcing public space laws, directly addressing homelessness as a housing issue.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 6294: Providing local governments tax resources and fund flexibility.

SB 6294 allows Washington counties and cities to impose new real estate excise taxes (up to 0.25% for general capital projects, and up to 0.5% specifically for affordable housing) to fund local infrastructure and housing. Local governments must use the tax revenue exclusively for qualifying projects like roads, parks, airports, and affordable housing developments, with specific requirements for documenting housing funds and prioritizing homelessness-related facilities. The bill creates a dedicated affordable housing account for competitive grants to nonprofits and public housing programs, while ensuring funds for existing pre-2019 homeless housing projects remain protected. It applies directly to local governments seeking new revenue streams and to housing providers receiving grants under the new system.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables local real estate taxes (0.25-0.5%) to fund infrastructure/housing, aligning with fiscal responsibility and essential program funding.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allocates up to 0.5% real estate tax for affordable housing developments and prioritizes homelessness-related facilities with dedicated funding requirements.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly funds roads, airports, and infrastructure projects through new local taxes for qualifying transportation capital projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Affordable Housing Homelessness

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 23, 2026

HB 2647: Establishing accountability requirements for homeless housing grant programs.

HB 2647 requires homeless housing grant recipients in Washington to submit annual plans by December 1 each year, detailing projected numbers of people helped and estimated spending per person. It mandates annual audits by the state auditor to verify funds are used for authorized purposes, track administrative costs versus service spending, and confirm grantees meet their goals. Grantees must provide detailed financial records and outcome data (including how long individuals remain housed) by June 1 each year, with non-compliance risking loss of future funding. The bill directly affects homeless housing organizations receiving state grants and aims to improve transparency and accountability in how public funds are spent.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates annual audits and financial tracking for homeless housing grants to verify proper fund use and fiscal accountability, promoting responsible budget management.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates accountability for homeless housing grants to ensure funds address homelessness, track outcomes, and prevent misuse of resources for housing programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Homelessness

Track

in committee · Washington · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 2660: Authorizing the court to order certain conditions during child welfare shelter care hearings.

HB 2660 requires Washington courts to hold shelter care hearings within 72 hours for children under five in foster care, with additional hearings if needed. It mandates courts to specifically assess safety risks, housing assistance, relative placement efforts, and school continuity during these hearings to protect young children. The bill adds new court inquiries about whether homelessness contributed to removal and if housing support was offered to keep families together. This change applies directly to children under five in child welfare cases and their families, aiming to strengthen safety oversight during initial shelter care decisions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates courts to assess school continuity during foster care hearings, protecting educational access and stability for children in care.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates courts to assess homelessness as a factor in child removal and evaluate housing support offered to prevent family separation, directly addressing homelessness within child welfare context.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

Track