Washington

By MARK HARMSWORTH  Tacoma voters are being asked to approve Initiative Measure No. 3, marketed as the “Safe Homes for All Initiative.” While the name sounds appealing, this measure would impose heavy new regulations, create tenant unions, steep fines, and a new per-unit rental licensing fee on property owners. The result will almost certainly be […]

By MARK HARMSWORTH Seattle’s ill-conceived ban on algorithmic rent-setting software illustrates what critics see as a textbook case of unconstitutional government meddling in private markets. Now Bellingham is poised to repeat the same mistake. Local activists with Community First Whatcom are gathering signatures for Initiative 26-01, which would prohibit property owners from using apps and AI […]

Ryan Donohue, Chief Advocacy Officer at Habitat for Humanity, argues that to solve Seattle’s housing crisis, the city must create a comprehensive plan that includes zoning reform, pro-development policies and affordable housing incentives.

In March, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell’s draft housing plan was released and immediately met with concerns from advocates calling for more housing opportunities citywide. 

Last week, the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections issued a draft ordinance exempting certain new developments from design review in a large subsection of the city.

Lawmakers in Washington State are considering two bills – House Bill 2114 and Senate Bill 5961 – that would, if passed, discourage housing investment in the Evergreen State.

The Washington State legislature convened this week and housing affordability continues to be a priority for lawmakers. While some lawmakers have raised rent control in previous years, Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig (D-Spokane) signaled his intent to pursue other solutions. According to the Spokesman-Review, Billig “suggested this session might be a good time to push […]

Although the Washington state legislature declared 2023 “the year of housing,” some unfinished housing business remains to be addressed in 2024.

A scholar with the Washington Policy Center argues: “Theory and real-world results show unequivocally that laws that artificially disincentivize housing providers from creating and retaining housing supply push low-income renters to the brink and even into the ranks of the homeless.

The Seattle Times Editorial Board makes the case for ending Washington State’s eviction moratorium.

Advocates describe the severity of the housing affordability crisis facing the Puget Sound region.

Rich Smith reports on a new program meant to help low-income residents in King County impacted by the coronavirus pandemic pay rent.

The Herald Editorial Board weighs in on regional solutions to Snohomish County’s housing affordability crisis. 

Gene Balk with the Seattle Times reports on what Seattle’s growing population of renters means for the region. 

Katherine Khashimova Long details how permitting delays are holding up apartment construction in Seattle.

Becca Savransky with the Seattle PI reports on housing affordability challenges facing active-duty households in Seattle.

Kim Hart reports in Axios on Seattle’s new, focused approach to housing. 

Paige Cornwell with the Seattle Times reports on Microsoft’s new investment in affordable housing. 

Over the past decade, home prices and rents have risen twice as fast as incomes in the Puget Sound Region. For many, this means being priced out of the neighborhoods they grew up in. That could soon change as a result of a $500 million pledge from Microsoft.