Senate Bill 5587 aims to bridge Washington's affordable housing gap

The Senate Housing Committee convened on February 7, 2025, to discuss Senate Bill 5587, which aims to address the growing gap in affordable housing development across counties in Washington. The bill seeks to enhance reporting requirements related to housing supply and affordability metrics, as outlined by the Washington Center for Real Estate Research.

Key provisions of the bill include a mandate for biennial reports, starting with an analysis due by October 15, 2026. These reports will assess the estimated housing units and existing housing needs within each county, focusing on various income levels. The legislation emphasizes the importance of tracking each county's progress in closing the housing gap and meeting the needs for emergency shelters and permanent supportive housing.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that counties and cities cannot deny affordable housing developments or impose conditions that significantly impact their viability unless specific criteria are met. It also prioritizes the processing of permits for affordable housing developments over other applications, aiming to streamline the development process.

The committee noted that the current gap between estimated housing units and existing needs has not improved from the previous year, highlighting the urgency of the issue. The bill also allows the public works board to consider projects that promote infill development or increase affordable housing units in counties identified as having significant gaps.

A fiscal note for the bill has been requested but is not yet available. The committee is poised to continue discussions on the bill, with further input expected from stakeholders and experts in the coming sessions.