We’re more than halfway through session!
Our Advocacy Team has hit the ground running in 2023 by building on our success in 2022 and we have launched state and local efforts to support more affordable homeownership opportunities.
On the state level, we are advocating for several bills and a number of our priority bills are moving forward through the process. Two bills that are making historic progress through the legislature are House Bill 1110 and HB 1474; a bill that will legalize middle housing types in residential areas, and the Covenant Homeownership Account bill will create a program to promote homeownership through down-payment support and address a history of housing discrimination through racially exclusionary covenants.
There are many other bills that we are working on as well; such as, our lot splitting bill (HB 1245), which would allow us to create more housing on a single lot, or the Governor’s proposed bond measure (HB 1147/ SB 5200). The Governor’s proposed legislation would create a bond measure, which would appear on the ballot in 2024 to invest $4 billion into affordable housing projects with a significant portion of that invested in affordable homeownership.
At the local level, Habitat is also making moves! In cities across King County, they are drafting their comprehensive plans that will determine how cities develop and grow for the next ten years. We are working with our homeowners to train them in how to be an effective advocate so they can speak to their lived experiences and tell cities why everyone deserves a safe and decent place to live! In East King County, we are working with the Eastside Affordable Housing Coalition to change, zoning codes so we can maximize the amount of affordable housing near jobs and transit.
Our advocacy continues to change lives in a growing region that is experiencing a housing crisis. We need your help if we’re going to continue to push the envelope towards ‘housing for all’ being a reality. To sign-up to help, text the word ‘HABITAT’ to (231) 422-4282 or 231-HABITAT, and you will receive our advocacy alerts sent by our outstanding team!
Thanks to your dedication, support and advocacy we’re making good progress.
Use the table below to see where bills we’re in support of are so far. Plus, help move the bills along by taking action and sending a letter or two!
| Bill | Bill Description | Where It’s At | Why Habitat Supports It | TAKE ACTION! |
| HB 1110 – Middle Housing  | Increasing middle housing in areas traditionally dedicated to single-family detached housing This bill will legalize Middle Housing types in residential areas across the state and create hundreds of thousands of affordable and market rate housing units. | Moved to Senate! In Senate Housing Committee. | Because we need to end exclusionary zoning across Washington! | Send a letter! |
| HB 1337 – ADUs  | Expanding housing options by easing barriers to the construction and use of Accessory Dwelling Units This bill will remove the biggest regulatory barriers commonly imposed by cities, making it easier for homeowners to add ADUs to their properties. | Moved to Senate! In Senate Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs Committee. | Because we need more types of homes in more places all across Washington! | |
| HB 1245 – Lot Splitting  | Increasing housing options through lot splitting This bill will legalize smaller house lots and allow homeowners the authority to split their house lot once, into two. | Moved to Senate! In Senate Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs Committee. | Because we need more housing across Washington and this is an easy way to help make it easier to build them! | |
| HB 1628 – Affordable Homes  | Increasing the supply of affordable housing by modifying the state and local real estate excise tax This bill will generate revenue to increase the supply of affordable homes across Washington State. | In House Committee on Finance. NTIB (Necessary to Implement the Budget), not subject to deadlines. | While allowing for more homes is critical, we also need the funding to actually build those new homes! | Send a letter! |
| HB 1474 – Covenant Homeownership Act  | Addressing the history of housing discrimination due to racially restrictive real estate covenants in Washington state This bill will support homeownership for those harmed by generations of systematic, racist, and discriminatory housing policies and practices by Washington State. | Moved to Senate! In Senate Housing Committee. | Because when we say EVERYONE deserves a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home – we mean EVERYONE! | Send a letter! |
| HB 1250 – HRLP Fix  | Modifying the low-income home rehabilitation program This bill will help low-income, rural homeowners by converting a revolving loan program into a grant program. | Scheduled for public hearing in Senate Committee on Housing. | Keeping people in their homes and helping with repairs is a much more cost efficient way to help keep people housed! | |
| HB 1167 – Residential Housing  | Concerning residential housing regulations This bill will establish a grant program to help counties and cities adopt preapproved middle housing plans and prohibits a city or county from imposing any regulations, reviews, or standards on multiplex housing that is not applied to detached single family residences. | Scheduled for Senate Committee on Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs. | Because building a triplex or townhomes shouldn’t be as hard as building a condo building. | |
| HB 1147 – Capital Budget  | Concerning the capital budget This bill will allocate funds to and long-term investment in affordable housing and homeownership in Washington. | Scheduled for House Committee on Capital Budget. | While allowing for more homes is critical, we also need the funding to actually build those new homes! | Send a letter! |
| HB 1149 – Addressing Housing Insecurities  | Reducing homelessness in Washington State through capital expenditures for programs that address housing insecurity This bill will address housing insecurity through the state of Washington, including permanent housing for the homeless and a solution for low-income families who meet income criteria. | Scheduled for House Committee on Capital Budget. | The Governor is thinking bold when it comes to housing and we need to have his back! (Companion to SB 5202) | |
| SB 5202 – Addressing Housing Insecurities  | Reducing homelessness in Washington State through capital expenditures for programs that address housing insecurity This bill will address housing insecurity through the state of Washington, including permanent housing for the homeless and a solution for low-income families who meet income criteria. | In Senate Committee on Ways & Means. | The Governor is thinking bold when it comes to housing and we need to have his back! (Companion to HB 1149) | |
| SB 5058 – Multiunit Exemption  | Exempting buildings with 12 or fewer units that are no more than two stories from the definition of multiunit residential building This bill will help provide for more homeownership opportunities. | In House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary. | Because building a triplex or townhomes shouldn’t be as hard as building a condo building. | |
| SB 5466 – Transit-Oriented Development  | Promoting transit-oriented development This bill will provide zoning standards for housing and commercial uses in urban areas near major state transit investments, and support local governments with flexible implementation and funding. | Scheduled for House Committee on Housing. | Because building homes near transit is an easy win for housing, transportation, and climate! |