Coalition Announces 2024 Policy Platform
Happy New Year! In our shared work to address the on-going housing affordability crisis in our state, the Coalition for More Housing Choices’ focus this year is on the successful implementation of the significant housing-related legislation adopted by the 2023 Legislature. In case you missed it, our recent Roundtable Discussion on Middle Housing Implementation included perspectives from local home-builders, urban planners, local officials and the Department of Commerce on how we can successfully work together to implement new state policies to support local housing efforts.
There are also on-going opportunities to continue lowering barriers to housing of all types, especially for those communities that have historically experienced disproportionate challenges in accessing homeownership. Since the Coalition’s founding in 2020, we have benefited from the broad collaboration of a diverse membership to advance housing policies that will make it easier for current residents, newcomers and future generations to find a home that best fits their lives. In that spirit, the Coalition’s 2024 Policy Platform includes:
Local Planning for More Housing
Support local governments to take bold action in their upcoming updates to their Growth Management Act comprehensive plans and housing development regulations to include homes of all types that all ranges of household incomes can afford. Supporting successful implementation of new state laws facilitating more housing choices—including such things as the “middle” housing law, accessory dwelling unit (ADU) reforms, permit streamlining, HB 1220, and more--will help local jurisdictions to better meet their housing targets while creating more homes of all types for Washington families.
Transit-Oriented Development
Support opportunities to facilitate housing around transit centers that is affordable to a range of income levels and is inclusive and equitable in its design. This could include legislative efforts such as housing benefit districts or other tools to facilitate land acquisition and station planning, or tools that otherwise expand much-needed housing alongside transit routes.
Black Homeownership
Support legislative efforts to meet the goal of increasing Black homeownership, such as expanding funding for affordable homeownership, increasing the supply of and access to affordable entry-level, market-rate homes for first-time homebuyers, and developing anti-displacement strategies. These objectives are informed directly by the Coalition’s participation in the Black Home Initiative Policy Workgroup, Recommendations from the Homeownership Disparities Work Group, and the Seven-Point Plan to Increase Black Homeownership in the Puget Sound Region.
As the 2024 Legislative Session gets underway next week, the Coalition would like to thank our partners in this work, and we are excited for the year ahead.