The amendments HB 1220 made to the housing element in the Growth Management Act’s (GMA) comprehensive plan are optional until sufficient funding to cover local government costs is provided by the Legislature.

Of the numerous bills aiming to reform the GMA’s comprehensive planning requirements, HB 1220 is the only one to cross the finish line. The soon-to-be law made several changes to the housing element, requiring cities to:

• Plan for housing for a variety of income levels and consideration of moderate density housing.
• Review local policies, zoning, and ordinances that may have racially disparate impacts or displacement effects and then identify and implement strategies to correct them.
• Plan for projected emergency shelter and housing needs.

However, the GMA requires that any new or amended elements be “null and void until funds sufficient to cover applicable local government costs are appropriated and distributed by the state at least two years before local government must update comprehensive plans.” RCW 36.70A.070(9). The Legislature’s operating budget does not contain such funding, so the new additions to the housing element are optional for now. For cities required to submit updated comprehensive plans in 2024, the state has until FY 23 (starting July 1, 2022) to begin funding distributions. We anticipate seeing a supplemental budget request for this work next session.

Importantly, the other changes HB 1220 made are still intact. The passed bill requires the Department of Commerce to provide an inventory and analysis for existing and projected housing needs necessary to address projected growth, including units for a variety of income levels and for emergency and permanent supportive housing. HB 1220 also contains a preemption on local authority to site emergency shelters, emergency housing, and permanent supportive housing. Those changes were not made to the GMA and are not impacted by the lack of funding.