Committee hears bill to streamline siting and permitting for supportive and emergency housing

The Washington State Senate Housing Committee took testimony Feb. 5 on Senate Bill 5,497, which would standardize siting and permit procedures for permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing and indoor emergency shelters (collectively described in testimony as “step housing”). The bill would require cities and counties that fully plan under the Growth Management Act to approve step‑housing permit applications using an administrative process based on objective standards, allow a waiver process when local regulations preclude siting, and authorize the Department of Commerce to resolve disputes and, if noncompliance persists, withhold certain state revenues from a jurisdiction.

Ben Bridal, committee staff, told the committee that under the bill a city or county "must approve any permit application for step housing using an administrative process only" and that…