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Committee hears broad support and local concerns on bill to require cities to allow 'step housing'
Summary
Supporters including counties, nonprofit housing providers, state agencies, and disability advocates urged passage of ESHB 2266 to remove local barriers to permanent supportive, transitional, and emergency housing; cities asked for operational verification, funding flexibility, and limited local review when they invest resources.
The Senate Housing Committee spent a large portion of its Feb. 20 hearing on Engrossed Gross Substitute House Bill 22‑66, a statewide standard to ensure cities and planning counties allow 'step housing' — an umbrella that includes permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency shelters, and indoor emergency housing.
Committee staff summarized the bill’s key provisions: cities may not prohibit step housing in zones that allow residential units or hotels; only objective development regulations and administrative design review may apply; for facilities proposed within 500 feet of a school, a local government outside a city may negotiate additional health and safety requirements with a sponsor but may deny a permit if a good‑faith negotiation fails within 90 days; sponsors may be required to certify…
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