WA Legislature's housing leaders outline vision for 2026
BELLEVUE — Permanent supportive housing, eviction workarounds and financing for rural homes are among the topics Washington lawmakers could discuss next year to alleviate the state’s affordable housing shortfall.
But also looming are dramatic federal funding cuts to a housing program that could leave thousands of people homeless nationwide, as reported by Politico this week. The Trump administration reportedly wants to slash money for permanent housing by more than $2 billion and put those dollars toward transitional housing assistance that has work or service requirements.
Democratic state lawmakers championing housing issues spoke at a roundtable this week at the Housing Washington conference in Bellevue. After a banner year for progressive housing policy in 2025, they see more work to do. The 60-day legislative session begins in January.
One way that majority Democrats are looking to tackle this issue in the next legislative session is by barring cities and counties from denying permits for permanent supportive housing, transitional housing or indoor emergency housing or shelter in certain residential and commercial zones.
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/10/03/wa-legislatures-housing-leaders-outline-vision-for-2026/