Homes4WA
@homes4wa.org
A work group for advocates, policy makers, and neighbors across Washington State promoting policy solutions for more affordable, abundant homes. Join us! homes4wa.org
A project of @Sightline.org
A project of @Sightline.org
Reposted by Homes4WA
Not sure where to post your post-election energy? We've got you! We'll be at farmer's markets across the city to share the good word of ✨ housing density ✨
Seattle needs thousands of homes built, and we deserve a comprehensive plan that works for everyone.
Learn more and sign up! shorturl.at/E6BYo
Seattle needs thousands of homes built, and we deserve a comprehensive plan that works for everyone.
Learn more and sign up! shorturl.at/E6BYo
November 5, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Not sure where to post your post-election energy? We've got you! We'll be at farmer's markets across the city to share the good word of ✨ housing density ✨
Seattle needs thousands of homes built, and we deserve a comprehensive plan that works for everyone.
Learn more and sign up! shorturl.at/E6BYo
Seattle needs thousands of homes built, and we deserve a comprehensive plan that works for everyone.
Learn more and sign up! shorturl.at/E6BYo
Reposted by Homes4WA
After taking a quick break after session I’m starting to think about housing policy for next session. What’s on your pro-housing wishlist? 📋✅
May 29, 2025 at 6:26 PM
After taking a quick break after session I’m starting to think about housing policy for next session. What’s on your pro-housing wishlist? 📋✅
Every bill that made it through #WALeg is the culmination of months (years, really!) of effort/learning/compromise/collaboration.
After a #WAleg session full of housing wins, Washington is (arguably) winning the states’ race for best-in-class homebuilding upgrades. @danbertolet.bsky.social recaps the 2025 billapalooza:
Washington Takes Statewide Zoning Reform to the Next Level | Sightline Institute
There’s a healthy competition brewing between states that are taking action for housing abundance. But as of May 2025, Washington leads the pack. Its legislature just passed best-in-the-US bills on bo...
www.sightline.org
May 19, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Every bill that made it through #WALeg is the culmination of months (years, really!) of effort/learning/compromise/collaboration.
Reposted by Homes4WA
Washington’s new parking reform act shows what bold leadership (shoutout to @jessdbateman.bsky.social @davina425.bsky.social) and strong storytelling can do. @citizen-cate.bsky.social outlines the strategies for advocates elsewhere. #WAleg
How Washington State Won Parking Reform | Sightline Institute
Last week, Governor Bob Ferguson’s signature made it official: Washington has passed the strongest statewide rollback of costly parking mandates in the United States. The bill does many things, but pu...
www.sightline.org
May 16, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Washington’s new parking reform act shows what bold leadership (shoutout to @jessdbateman.bsky.social @davina425.bsky.social) and strong storytelling can do. @citizen-cate.bsky.social outlines the strategies for advocates elsewhere. #WAleg
With @governorferguson.bsky.social's signature, the parking bill is LAW. SB 5184 will curb housing costs, sprawl, and excess pavement. People over parking!!! @danbertolet.bsky.social
May 8, 2025 at 3:36 PM
With @governorferguson.bsky.social's signature, the parking bill is LAW. SB 5184 will curb housing costs, sprawl, and excess pavement. People over parking!!! @danbertolet.bsky.social
Reposted by Homes4WA
Just 10 days until King County Affordable Housing Week! RSVP for our 5/12 kickoff—featuring remarks from Patience Malaba; a power of pro-housing messaging discussion with Clayton Aldern; & a state legislative roundtable with Sen. Jessica Bateman, Sen. Emily Alvarado, & more! bit.ly/AHW2025-Kick...
May 2, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Just 10 days until King County Affordable Housing Week! RSVP for our 5/12 kickoff—featuring remarks from Patience Malaba; a power of pro-housing messaging discussion with Clayton Aldern; & a state legislative roundtable with Sen. Jessica Bateman, Sen. Emily Alvarado, & more! bit.ly/AHW2025-Kick...
Reposted by Homes4WA
One more week to apply for our housing researcher position!
Senior Researcher, Housing + Cities | Sightline Institute
Senior Researcher, Housing + Cities
www.sightline.org
April 30, 2025 at 9:58 PM
One more week to apply for our housing researcher position!
Reposted by Homes4WA
"It really does re-legalize the basic building blocks of being able to build a walkable city again, which is not possible if all your buildings are surrounded by parking lots that are two times as large as the buildings are." @citizen-cate.bsky.social
Washington state just passed a package of reforms that could juice housing production and get landlords to give non-drivers a break on their rent. But will other states go even further?
This Parking Bill Could Help Solve the Housing Crisis — Streetsblog USA
Washington state just passed a package of reforms that could juice housing production and get landlords to give non-drivers a break on their rent. But will other states go even further?
buff.ly
April 29, 2025 at 11:44 PM
"It really does re-legalize the basic building blocks of being able to build a walkable city again, which is not possible if all your buildings are surrounded by parking lots that are two times as large as the buildings are." @citizen-cate.bsky.social
Reposted by Homes4WA
WA's Year of Housing Redux?
Passed both chambers as of yesterday's cutoff:
SB 5184 - parking
HB 1491 - TOD w/funded IZ
HB 1096 - lot splitting
HB 1576 - landmarking
SB 5148 - accountability
HB 1403 - condo liability
HB 1183 - setbacks/facade mod.
HB 1757 - conversions
HB 1135 - GMA compliance
Passed both chambers as of yesterday's cutoff:
SB 5184 - parking
HB 1491 - TOD w/funded IZ
HB 1096 - lot splitting
HB 1576 - landmarking
SB 5148 - accountability
HB 1403 - condo liability
HB 1183 - setbacks/facade mod.
HB 1757 - conversions
HB 1135 - GMA compliance
April 17, 2025 at 3:40 PM
WA's Year of Housing Redux?
Passed both chambers as of yesterday's cutoff:
SB 5184 - parking
HB 1491 - TOD w/funded IZ
HB 1096 - lot splitting
HB 1576 - landmarking
SB 5148 - accountability
HB 1403 - condo liability
HB 1183 - setbacks/facade mod.
HB 1757 - conversions
HB 1135 - GMA compliance
Passed both chambers as of yesterday's cutoff:
SB 5184 - parking
HB 1491 - TOD w/funded IZ
HB 1096 - lot splitting
HB 1576 - landmarking
SB 5148 - accountability
HB 1403 - condo liability
HB 1183 - setbacks/facade mod.
HB 1757 - conversions
HB 1135 - GMA compliance
Reposted by Homes4WA
TOD just passed 30 - 18!
WA HOUSING BILL UPDATE
Yesterday three of the remaining five passed:
HB 1096 - lot splitting
HB 1183 - setbacks/facade mod.
SB 5148 - housing accountability
Two more days left to pass two more good bills:
HB 1491 - TOD
SB 5613 - clear/objective stds.
Yesterday three of the remaining five passed:
HB 1096 - lot splitting
HB 1183 - setbacks/facade mod.
SB 5148 - housing accountability
Two more days left to pass two more good bills:
HB 1491 - TOD
SB 5613 - clear/objective stds.
Five remaining WA housing abundance bills must pass out of their opposite chambers by 5pm on Wednesday:
HB 1491 - TOD
HB 1096 - lot splitting
HB 1183 - setbacks/facade mod.
SB 5613 - clear/objective stds.
SB 5148 - housing accountbility
Bill info here:
www.sightline.org/2025/02/13/w...
HB 1491 - TOD
HB 1096 - lot splitting
HB 1183 - setbacks/facade mod.
SB 5613 - clear/objective stds.
SB 5148 - housing accountbility
Bill info here:
www.sightline.org/2025/02/13/w...
April 15, 2025 at 10:54 PM
TOD just passed 30 - 18!
Three (!) more bills passed out of their second house yesterday, but these two still need your support before tomorrow's deadline.
Transit-oriented development (TOD) — HB 1491 app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1491
Clear, objective standards — SB 5613 app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5613
Let's make some noise!
Transit-oriented development (TOD) — HB 1491 app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1491
Clear, objective standards — SB 5613 app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5613
Let's make some noise!
April 15, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Three (!) more bills passed out of their second house yesterday, but these two still need your support before tomorrow's deadline.
Transit-oriented development (TOD) — HB 1491 app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1491
Clear, objective standards — SB 5613 app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5613
Let's make some noise!
Transit-oriented development (TOD) — HB 1491 app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1491
Clear, objective standards — SB 5613 app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5613
Let's make some noise!
Reposted by Homes4WA
WA HOUSING BILL UPDATE
Yesterday three of the remaining five passed:
HB 1096 - lot splitting
HB 1183 - setbacks/facade mod.
SB 5148 - housing accountability
Two more days left to pass two more good bills:
HB 1491 - TOD
SB 5613 - clear/objective stds.
Yesterday three of the remaining five passed:
HB 1096 - lot splitting
HB 1183 - setbacks/facade mod.
SB 5148 - housing accountability
Two more days left to pass two more good bills:
HB 1491 - TOD
SB 5613 - clear/objective stds.
Five remaining WA housing abundance bills must pass out of their opposite chambers by 5pm on Wednesday:
HB 1491 - TOD
HB 1096 - lot splitting
HB 1183 - setbacks/facade mod.
SB 5613 - clear/objective stds.
SB 5148 - housing accountbility
Bill info here:
www.sightline.org/2025/02/13/w...
HB 1491 - TOD
HB 1096 - lot splitting
HB 1183 - setbacks/facade mod.
SB 5613 - clear/objective stds.
SB 5148 - housing accountbility
Bill info here:
www.sightline.org/2025/02/13/w...
Washington Housing Bills to Watch in 2025 | Sightline Institute
More than two dozen bills aim to unlock great neighborhoods, greater affordability, and less red tape for Washingtonians.
www.sightline.org
April 15, 2025 at 3:31 PM
WA HOUSING BILL UPDATE
Yesterday three of the remaining five passed:
HB 1096 - lot splitting
HB 1183 - setbacks/facade mod.
SB 5148 - housing accountability
Two more days left to pass two more good bills:
HB 1491 - TOD
SB 5613 - clear/objective stds.
Yesterday three of the remaining five passed:
HB 1096 - lot splitting
HB 1183 - setbacks/facade mod.
SB 5148 - housing accountability
Two more days left to pass two more good bills:
HB 1491 - TOD
SB 5613 - clear/objective stds.
Reposted by Homes4WA
Cheers to @jessdbateman.bsky.social and @davina425.bsky.social for getting parking reform through the legislature!!!
The parking reform bill has passed #WALeg House + Senate! HUGE win for Washington! 🍾 @citizen-cate.bsky.social @jessdbateman.bsky.social @theurbanist.org @sightline.org
Washington State Senate Approves Sweeping Parking Reform Bill - The Urbanist
# Though it was amended to exclude cities with less than 20,000 residents, Senate Bill 5184 still represents one of the most robust statewide parking reform packages to move forward in any state. It n...
www.theurbanist.org
April 11, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Cheers to @jessdbateman.bsky.social and @davina425.bsky.social for getting parking reform through the legislature!!!
The parking reform bill has passed #WALeg House + Senate! HUGE win for Washington! 🍾 @citizen-cate.bsky.social @jessdbateman.bsky.social @theurbanist.org @sightline.org
Washington State Senate Approves Sweeping Parking Reform Bill - The Urbanist
# Though it was amended to exclude cities with less than 20,000 residents, Senate Bill 5184 still represents one of the most robust statewide parking reform packages to move forward in any state. It n...
www.theurbanist.org
April 11, 2025 at 9:58 PM
The parking reform bill has passed #WALeg House + Senate! HUGE win for Washington! 🍾 @citizen-cate.bsky.social @jessdbateman.bsky.social @theurbanist.org @sightline.org
Reposted by Homes4WA
And today HB 1576 passed the Senate 47 -2!
The bill requires cities to get owner consent before granting landmark status to any building less than 125 years old.
It will put an end to the abuse of landmarking to block housing.
www.sightline.org/2017/12/19/w...
The bill requires cities to get owner consent before granting landmark status to any building less than 125 years old.
It will put an end to the abuse of landmarking to block housing.
www.sightline.org/2017/12/19/w...
April 9, 2025 at 11:24 PM
And today HB 1576 passed the Senate 47 -2!
The bill requires cities to get owner consent before granting landmark status to any building less than 125 years old.
It will put an end to the abuse of landmarking to block housing.
www.sightline.org/2017/12/19/w...
The bill requires cities to get owner consent before granting landmark status to any building less than 125 years old.
It will put an end to the abuse of landmarking to block housing.
www.sightline.org/2017/12/19/w...
If you’ve got time to scroll bsky, you’ve got time to contact your reps in the final stretch of #WALeg! Still in the running:
SB 5184 Parking
HB 1096 Lot splitting
HB 1491 TOD
HB 1576 Historic landmarking
HB 1183 Setback/façade
SB 5613 Clear & objective standards
SB 5148 Production accountability
SB 5184 Parking
HB 1096 Lot splitting
HB 1491 TOD
HB 1576 Historic landmarking
HB 1183 Setback/façade
SB 5613 Clear & objective standards
SB 5148 Production accountability
Second chamber cutoff let’s goooo! 🐇
mailchi.mp
April 9, 2025 at 9:19 PM
If you’ve got time to scroll bsky, you’ve got time to contact your reps in the final stretch of #WALeg! Still in the running:
SB 5184 Parking
HB 1096 Lot splitting
HB 1491 TOD
HB 1576 Historic landmarking
HB 1183 Setback/façade
SB 5613 Clear & objective standards
SB 5148 Production accountability
SB 5184 Parking
HB 1096 Lot splitting
HB 1491 TOD
HB 1576 Historic landmarking
HB 1183 Setback/façade
SB 5613 Clear & objective standards
SB 5148 Production accountability
Reposted by Homes4WA
Come work with us! We're hiring a senior #housing researcher to develop and drive pro-housing policy at the local and state level. You could help us lift exclusionary zoning rules and promote policies that make Cascadia more affordable.
Senior Researcher, Housing + Cities | Sightline Institute
Senior Researcher, Housing + Cities
www.sightline.org
April 8, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Come work with us! We're hiring a senior #housing researcher to develop and drive pro-housing policy at the local and state level. You could help us lift exclusionary zoning rules and promote policies that make Cascadia more affordable.
HB 1576 is @mnolangray.bsky.social's bill of the week!
"In Seattle, a building can be designated as a landmark if it’s at least 25 years old. That means anything built as recently as 1999—the year Creed released their multi-platinum record Human Clay—could be landmarked." @danbertolet.bsky.social
"In Seattle, a building can be designated as a landmark if it’s at least 25 years old. That means anything built as recently as 1999—the year Creed released their multi-platinum record Human Clay—could be landmarked." @danbertolet.bsky.social
Ending Historic Preservation Abuse in Washington
Pro-Housing Bill of the Week: HB 1576 (Washington)
mnolangray.substack.com
April 8, 2025 at 5:58 PM
HB 1576 is @mnolangray.bsky.social's bill of the week!
"In Seattle, a building can be designated as a landmark if it’s at least 25 years old. That means anything built as recently as 1999—the year Creed released their multi-platinum record Human Clay—could be landmarked." @danbertolet.bsky.social
"In Seattle, a building can be designated as a landmark if it’s at least 25 years old. That means anything built as recently as 1999—the year Creed released their multi-platinum record Human Clay—could be landmarked." @danbertolet.bsky.social
Reposted by Homes4WA
We've got new polling, hot off the presses! 📉
Whether Dem, Ind, or Rep, living in a suburb, a city, or rural area- folks in Washington are strongly aligned on support for strong housing policies, and want more action from the State Legislature. 🧵
#WALeg
Whether Dem, Ind, or Rep, living in a suburb, a city, or rural area- folks in Washington are strongly aligned on support for strong housing policies, and want more action from the State Legislature. 🧵
#WALeg
April 4, 2025 at 10:04 PM
We've got new polling, hot off the presses! 📉
Whether Dem, Ind, or Rep, living in a suburb, a city, or rural area- folks in Washington are strongly aligned on support for strong housing policies, and want more action from the State Legislature. 🧵
#WALeg
Whether Dem, Ind, or Rep, living in a suburb, a city, or rural area- folks in Washington are strongly aligned on support for strong housing policies, and want more action from the State Legislature. 🧵
#WALeg
Reposted by Homes4WA
WA's elevator bill died, but it was a still a win that it got as far as passing the Senate.
It was a brand new idea to most, plus it threatened the status quo.
Its coalition was mainly just @stephenjacobsmith.com and @sightline.org.
It will be back next year.
www.theurbanist.org/2025/04/03/e...
It was a brand new idea to most, plus it threatened the status quo.
Its coalition was mainly just @stephenjacobsmith.com and @sightline.org.
It will be back next year.
www.theurbanist.org/2025/04/03/e...
Elevator Reform Falls Short at Washington Legislature - The Urbanist
# Despite considerable momentum behind SB 5156 coming from the state Senate, the idea of reforming Washington's strict elevator codes met resistance from firefighter groups and the powerful elevator c...
www.theurbanist.org
April 4, 2025 at 3:35 PM
WA's elevator bill died, but it was a still a win that it got as far as passing the Senate.
It was a brand new idea to most, plus it threatened the status quo.
Its coalition was mainly just @stephenjacobsmith.com and @sightline.org.
It will be back next year.
www.theurbanist.org/2025/04/03/e...
It was a brand new idea to most, plus it threatened the status quo.
Its coalition was mainly just @stephenjacobsmith.com and @sightline.org.
It will be back next year.
www.theurbanist.org/2025/04/03/e...
Our first bill to pass both chambers is HB 1757!
It will make it easier to add housing to existing buildings by sparing the new units from having to comply with the latest energy code, which can incur exorbitant expenses that end up sinking a conversion project altogether.
It will make it easier to add housing to existing buildings by sparing the new units from having to comply with the latest energy code, which can incur exorbitant expenses that end up sinking a conversion project altogether.
April 3, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Our first bill to pass both chambers is HB 1757!
It will make it easier to add housing to existing buildings by sparing the new units from having to comply with the latest energy code, which can incur exorbitant expenses that end up sinking a conversion project altogether.
It will make it easier to add housing to existing buildings by sparing the new units from having to comply with the latest energy code, which can incur exorbitant expenses that end up sinking a conversion project altogether.
Bills are on the MOVE!
Already passed out of 2nd chamber committee:
- SB 5184 for parking flexibility
- HB 1757 to ease energy codes for building conversions
- HB 1183 for façade modulation, passive house, and other design goodies
continued -->
Already passed out of 2nd chamber committee:
- SB 5184 for parking flexibility
- HB 1757 to ease energy codes for building conversions
- HB 1183 for façade modulation, passive house, and other design goodies
continued -->
March 27, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Bills are on the MOVE!
Already passed out of 2nd chamber committee:
- SB 5184 for parking flexibility
- HB 1757 to ease energy codes for building conversions
- HB 1183 for façade modulation, passive house, and other design goodies
continued -->
Already passed out of 2nd chamber committee:
- SB 5184 for parking flexibility
- HB 1757 to ease energy codes for building conversions
- HB 1183 for façade modulation, passive house, and other design goodies
continued -->
Reposted by Homes4WA
What’s the big deal over parking? What are MDUs? And what's going down in Olympia?
You've got Qs, @danbertolet.bsky.social and @citizen-cate.bsky.social have As.🔥 sightline.org/hotseat #WALeg (Date corrected - we'll see you on the 28th!)
You've got Qs, @danbertolet.bsky.social and @citizen-cate.bsky.social have As.🔥 sightline.org/hotseat #WALeg (Date corrected - we'll see you on the 28th!)
March 11, 2025 at 11:21 PM
What’s the big deal over parking? What are MDUs? And what's going down in Olympia?
You've got Qs, @danbertolet.bsky.social and @citizen-cate.bsky.social have As.🔥 sightline.org/hotseat #WALeg (Date corrected - we'll see you on the 28th!)
You've got Qs, @danbertolet.bsky.social and @citizen-cate.bsky.social have As.🔥 sightline.org/hotseat #WALeg (Date corrected - we'll see you on the 28th!)
Reposted by Homes4WA
WA housing bills on the move in their opposite chambers!
Passed out of cmte last week:
HB 5184, HB 1757
Monday:
HB 1183
Today:
HB 1491, HB 1096, HB 1403
Expected later today:
SB 5148, SB 5613
Expected tomorrow:
HB 1576
Passed out of cmte last week:
HB 5184, HB 1757
Monday:
HB 1183
Today:
HB 1491, HB 1096, HB 1403
Expected later today:
SB 5148, SB 5613
Expected tomorrow:
HB 1576
Things are moving fast for these WA housing bills that have already had their opposite chamber policy cmte hearings:
SB 5184 parking
HB 1491 TOD
HB 1096 lot split
HB 1576 landmarking
HB 5156 elevators
SB 5613 clear/objective
HB 1183 facade mod. etc.
SB 5148 accountability
HB 1757 energy code/conv.
SB 5184 parking
HB 1491 TOD
HB 1096 lot split
HB 1576 landmarking
HB 5156 elevators
SB 5613 clear/objective
HB 1183 facade mod. etc.
SB 5148 accountability
HB 1757 energy code/conv.
March 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM
WA housing bills on the move in their opposite chambers!
Passed out of cmte last week:
HB 5184, HB 1757
Monday:
HB 1183
Today:
HB 1491, HB 1096, HB 1403
Expected later today:
SB 5148, SB 5613
Expected tomorrow:
HB 1576
Passed out of cmte last week:
HB 5184, HB 1757
Monday:
HB 1183
Today:
HB 1491, HB 1096, HB 1403
Expected later today:
SB 5148, SB 5613
Expected tomorrow:
HB 1576