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State experts: upzoning, accessory units and planning grants needed to meet 20‑year housing targets
Summary
Commerce officials told a public review that revised Growth Management Act requirements and recent legislation mean counties must plan for over 1,000,000 additional homes over 20 years; they urged zoning changes, model ordinances and local planning grants to enable development across income bands.
Anne Fritzl, housing section manager in Growth Management Services at the Washington State Department of Commerce, told the panel that a state analysis using Office of Financial Management projections finds Washington needs more than 1,000,000 additional homes over the next 20 years beyond the roughly 3,000,000 currently available.
Fritzl described a graphic used by Commerce that maps housing types by income band: private markets supply many higher‑income single‑family and townhome units, while moderate‑density zoning with incentives could provide ownership opportunities for middle incomes. She said about half the projected need is for lowest‑earning households and will require multifamily zoning, proximity to transit and significant subsidies.
The presentation reviewed recent changes to the Growth Management Act housing goal, requirements for comprehensive plans in fully planning counties, and state expectations that jurisdictions identify barriers—such as large‑lot exclusionary zoning—and take steps to undo discriminatory zoning practices.
Fritzl also said Commerce is preparing a model ordinance to help local governments remove barriers to emergency and permanent supportive housing and that planning grants support regional coordination to accommodate the lowest‑income segments.
Panelists and the governor asked about expedited permitting and the role of local leadership; Fritzl said state law authorizes incentives, waivers and density bonuses to prioritize affordable projects, and Commerce has resources to help modernize permitting systems.
