Legislative Update Week 4: Take Action on STEP Housing
It seems like every week we say “things are moving quickly!” but it’s true, all of our 2026 priority are on the move. This Wednesday, Feb 4th marks the first ‘cutoff’ deadline for bills – any that haven’t passed out of their policy committee by then are considered dead for the rest of the 2026 session. Most of our priority bills have already reached this milestone, which is exciting, but we need to be sure STEP Housing makes it through this week – Buttons below!
STEP Housing – HB 2266 / SB 6069
Washington is facing a housing and homelessness crisis that is affecting communities in every corner of the state. STEP Housing is an umbrella term that includes emergency shelters, transitional housing, emergency housing, and permanent supportive housing. These are often the hardest housing types to site because local jurisdictions add costly and unnecessary requirements beyond other housing types, in part due to stigma or neighborhood opposition.
This year the Legislature needs to take action to make sure cities and counties are truly meeting the needs of their residents in planning for these housing types.
Last week more than 1,400 folks signed in PRO to support this in the Senate, even more than the amazing turnout in the week prior. Hooray! Now both versions are headed for a vote early this week. Don’t wait, help us email both committees and urge them to vote YES to more supportive housing in our communities.
Encouraging Middle Housing
Similar to STEP housing, ‘middle housing’ is an umbrella term for the range of homes sitting between a single-family dwelling and large-scale apartments. We’re huge fans – stacked flats, du- tri- quad- six-plexes, townhomes. We love. Because these are wide-ranging housing types, Washington policies need to provide flexibility for building more of this housing in more places, for all incomes.
Smaller Elevators (SSB 5156) – Allowing for smaller elevators in certain buildings (smaller, but still large enough to comfortably accommodate wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, etc) would have a big impact on the ability to modify existing housing for ADA Accessibility, remodel to include more units, or build on lots that may currently be just a tad too small because of these elevator requirements (this happens). We want more possibilities for families to find comfortable, affordable homes and HB 5156 helps us get there!
This has been sitting in the Rules Committee and we need to be sure it doesn’t lose momentum. Email the Senate and ask them to bring this to the House Floor and get it passed this session.
And learn more about why smaller elevators are an accessibility imperative, and a very do-able housing solution, in this great new video from our friends at Sightline.
Other bill updates for this week:
- Condo Liability – HB 2304 was voted out of the House Committee on Housing last week, and is headed for the Rules Committee
- Scissor stairs – HB 2228 is in the Rules Committee, and we’ll be watching for it to get “pulled” for a vote – which means it will be on the agenda for a vote on the House Floor; It’s Senate companion,SB 6001, passed out of the Housing Committee, and is on its way to Rules.
Balancing Needs in Rural Areas
EHB 1345 for Rural ADUs is on its way through the opposite chamber, having already passed through the House. It has its first hearing in the Senate Housing Committee on Friday, Feb 4th. Its Senate companion bill SB 5470, is also expected to be voted on during the executive session that day.
HB 2269 to allow middle housing in LAMIRDs (limited areas of more intensive rural development) hasn’t moved from last week, where it sits in the House Rules Committee.
Last week I hopped on a livestream with Markus Johnson, building code afficianado, on what it actually looks like to build more housing types – how seemingly small modifications like smaller elevators or scissor stairs can help increase building accessibility and give builders more options that are less expensive to build. win-win-wins.
Starting next week, cutoff deadlines are going to start flying- so keep your eyes on your inbox for mid-week action opportunities in addition to your regular Sunday digest. Thank you for your time, attention, and advocacy on things that matter deeply to all of us.
Onward,
Marcella
