Senate lawmakers in Washington passed a bill Tuesday that would lift a ban on certain types of multifamily properties called “moderate housing” in areas zoned for single-family housing amid a statewide housing supply shortfall. The term “medium housing” refers to duplexes, fourplexes and auxiliary housing units (ADUs), which have gained popularity in recent years.
The bill is part of a larger push to diversify the types of housing that can be built in Washington neighborhoods.
The Senate passed House Bill 1110 by a bipartisan vote of 35–14. The bill’s goal is to “increase median housing in areas traditionally devoted to single-family detached housing,” according to the bill’s description. Washington State Legislature Website.
The bill states, “The legislature recognizes that Washington faces an unprecedented housing shortage for its current population and will not meet its goal of building 1,000,000 homes by 2044 without significant action.” “Increasing more affordable housing options for different income levels is critical to achieving the state’s housing goals, including those codified by the legislature. […],
Supporters cite the measure as necessary to combat high housing costs in the Pacific Northwest, which have also led to an increase in homelessness.
“We don’t have enough housing in this state,” said Sen. Yasmine Trudeau, D-Tacoma. “This problem affects every city in every county across the state and it is by far a bigger problem than any city or county.”
On the other hand, opponents of the bill argue that too much power has already been removed from zoning officials at the local level.
“I support local communities being able to determine what their community looks like without the state of Washington coming down with a sledgehammer telling them they should do so,” said Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn. Said.
An earlier version of the measure that banned single-family zoning within the state was passed by Washington’s House of Representatives in March. The current version passed by the Senate will now return to the lower body to enter the reconciliation process.
If that process is completed, the bill will head to the desk of Gov. Jay Inslee (D) to be codified into law.
“Among other changes, the Senate version is more lenient in requirements on small towns in Seattle’s suburbs,” Seattle Times informed of. “The House can either approve the changes made by the Senate or the two bodies can try to work out their differences.”
Sen. John Braun, who lives in the city of Centralia and leads the Republican minority in the state Senate, described the bill as a way to protect business interests and property rights.
“When cities say you can only build one house on your half-acre of land, it restricts your right to use your property,” Braun said.
