Housing policy is front and center in the Washington State House this short session, as highlighted by a recent public hearing in which differing bills aimed at increasing affordable housing stock were debriefed and opened for public testimony. Governor Inslee-backed HB 1782, which would require cities planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA) to allow for the construction of missing middle housing types (e.g., duplexes and fourplexes) in zones allowing single-family homes or adopt a net minimum density equivalent, has rightfully attracted the most attention, but two additional housing bills, HB 1232 and HB 1981, are up for consideration as well.
In their current form, the two competing bills underscore how the Washington State Legislature could fall into the trap of passing legislation that masquerades as housing reform while really further enshrining into law exclusionary zoning practices. At the same time, passage of HB 1782 could put Washington State at the national forefront of legalizing middle housing types, including courtyard apartments of six units. This article will not go into depth on HB 1782, to learn more about the bill, read our previous story on the bill.
