SB 5440 brings up another aspect of the wide-ranging conversation around housing affordability this session. This proposal, sponsored by Sen. Guy Palumbo (D–Maltby), significantly expands the housing element planning responsibilities for cities under the Growth Management Act. SB 5440 adds numerous requirements focused on low-income housing.

We have been working on this bill with the sponsor for several weeks now; and our general concern is that this proposal misunderstands the proper role of cities in housing-related planning. For instance, it asks us to set aside sufficient sites for low-income housing, yet we cannot mandate that someone build a particular type of housing development on their land.

We expect that this conversation around how to make the housing element “more meaningful” from the perspective of housing and density advocates will continue throughout the session. We have been having productive conversations with legislators and stakeholders and expect to see new approaches emerging that are closer to the types of changes cities could support in the coming days. In the meantime, we oppose this bill.

Dates to remember

SB 5440 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Local Government Committee at 8 am on Tuesday, February 5.