With the end in sight – just one week away – the “session on housing” has been an active one, with many key policy proposals passing both chambers. Out of five dozen bills AWC was tracking that intended to address the affordable
housing crises, here is the status of those that have made it to this point that we did not already alert you on.
Passed Legislature – next stop Governor’s desk
- HB 1046 –Increases area medium income (AMI) threshold for housing authority projects: The low-income dwelling
units or mobile home lots of a housing authority financed development owned by a for profit entity, government entity, or a nonprofit organization must be rented to persons whose income does not exceed 80 percent of the area median income.
- HB 1326 – Can waive utility connection fees for emergency shelter, transitional
housing, permanent supportive housing, or affordable housing.
- HB 1337 – Requires two ADUs per single-family lot. Check out our last article for all the details on this one. A parking restriction was added on the floor.
- HB 1695 – Broadens definition of affordable housing under surplus property law. Instead
of just low-income and very low income, now includes income limits based on whether rental or permanently affordable homeownership.
- SB 5058 – A building with 12 or less units that is no more than two stories high is
exempt from building enclosure design or inspection. This bill is intended to address condominium liability issues.
- SB 5604 – Removes the population limitation for spending HB 1406 (2020) sales tax credit revenues for rental assistance, and caps admin fees at 10% annually.
Pending opposite chamber agreement to amendments or conference committee
- HB 1042 – Conversion of existing commercial and mixed-use buildings for residences. Prohibits cities
from imposing certain restrictions or requirements on existing buildings zoned for commercial or mixed use through ordinances, development and zoning regulations, or other official controls. Must incorporate requirements within six months of next
comprehensive plan update, and these changes are categorically exempt from SEPA.
- HB 1110 – Middle housing & density mandate (see our previous article).
- HB 1293 – Requires counties and cities planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA)
to apply only clear and objective design review standards to the exterior of new development, with exceptions. During project review, counties and cities may only require preapplication conferences or a public meeting where otherwise required
by state law.
- HB 1474 – Adds $100 to document recording fee to create the covenant homeownership account
and program to address the history of housing discrimination due to racially restrictive real estate covenants.
- SB 5290 – Local project review. Provides a grant program to consolidate local permit
processes, including switching to online. Requires local governments to exclude interior alterations from site plan review under certain conditions. Outlines permit completeness, notice, and timelines process, and allowable exemptions and alternative
compliance. Requires annual performance reporting.
- SB 5412 – Categorical exemption for all residential housing units, but the details are
still influx as to what will be required to qualify for the exemption.