Disposition of housing and homelessness issues continues to be unclear

<p>Once again, the status of conversations about whether the Legislature will pass any of the housing and homelessness bills remains uncertain. The House has passed one revenue bill (<a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1570&amp;Year=2017" target="_blank"><strong>HB 1570</strong></a>) and is poised to pass another local option bill (<a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1797&amp;Year=2017" target="_blank"><strong>HB 1797</strong></a>), while the Senate has passed one accountability bill (<a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5252&amp;Year=2017" target="_blank"><strong>SB 5252</strong></a>) and has a major growth management/housing/homelessness bill (<a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5254&amp;Year=2017" target="_blank"><strong>SB 5254</strong></a>) still on their plate.</p>
<p>As the end of the fiscal year fast approaches and legislators scramble to complete business before a July 1 state government shutdown, it is becoming more and more possible that they will leave town without making significant investment in new tools to fight this critical challenge facing so many communities around the state. Cities who are concerned about this happening are encouraged to call your legislators and ask them to make sure this gets done, especially if you are represented by Senate Republicans.</p>