For cities like Seattle that have established a social housing agency, HB 1687 provides helpful modernization of the Housing Cooperation Act, allowing social housing to be treated similarly to public housing authorities. The session law, sponsored by Rep. Julia Reed (D–Seattle), adds references and definitions related to social housing throughout the Housing Cooperation Law (Chapter 35.83 RCW), which provides authority to cities to partner with housing authorities.

For cities who are interested in participating in a voluntary and complicated land banking framework, HB 1974 from Rep. Natasha Hill (D–Spokane) may be just the bill for you. The bill awaits the Governor’s signature and aims to set up a coordinated land banking system to promote access to land for affordable housing.

Cities and counties may authorize a land bank established by a public corporation, housing authority, or IRS-exempt nonprofit. The land bank may acquire, hold, manage, improve, lease, transfer, or dispose of property to be used for affordable housing. Land can be leased or sold at less than market rate in exchange for affordability requirements. The bill requires that 50% of the land that is leased or sold must include covenants or restrictions that the housing be affordable for 30 years at a rate of 80% of area median income (AMI) for rental housing and 120% of AMI for homeownership.

Land bank acquisitions must be consistent with local, regional, and state housing plans and align with the Growth Management Act.

There are a variety of other provisions and reports included in the bill, and cities interested in this tool will want to review them carefully.