Key housing bills in the Washington State Legislature
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Housing affordability impact: Quietly important. Aligning WA with national modular and factory-built standards could cut construction timelines and costs, especially for affordable multifamily projects where factory methods can reduce per-unit costs by 20-30%.
Housing affordability impact: Modest but positive. Allows detached ADUs outside urban growth areas, adding housing options in rural communities. Doesn't directly address the urban supply crunch but broadens options.
Housing affordability impact: High. Allows residential development by-right on commercially zoned land in cities over 30K, unlocking dying strip malls and big-box sites for housing without rezoning. Potentially one of the biggest additions to buildable land supply in years.
Housing affordability impact: Meaningful funding accountability. Requires at least 60% of local housing-related sales tax revenue go toward constructing or acquiring affordable housing, meaning fewer dollars diverted to studies and overhead and more actual units built.
Housing affordability impact: High. The current requirement for stretcher-sized elevators makes 4-6 story buildings prohibitively expensive, effectively killing the "missing middle" building type that makes walkable, affordable neighborhoods pencil out financially.
Housing affordability impact: Important for the most vulnerable. Removes local regulatory barriers to shelters and permanent supportive housing, addressing the opposition that blocks these facilities in neighborhoods.
Had hearing in Senate Ways & Means on Feb 2 but never received an executive session. Did not advance past the fiscal cutoff (Feb 9). Would have created a self-sustaining financing tool for mixed-income homeownership development.
Placed in Senate Rules "X" file on Feb 26, effectively shelved. The companion bill HB 2266 passed the legislature on Mar 9 and is heading to the Governor.
Would have let all counties impose a voter-approved REET for affordable housing. No hearings or action in 2026. Sat in House Finance with zero movement.
Would have required expanding UGA boundaries for residential development near existing infrastructure. Had one hearing in Jan 2025, no action in 2026.