Next stop for Washington housing More construction near transit

On Tuesday, Governor Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 1491, which requires mixed-income housing development near transit stations in Washington. This initiative aims to tackle the state's pressing housing shortage and promote public transportation use to mitigate pollution. The first cities targeted for this development include Vancouver and Spokane, with plans for new zoning around 100 rail stations and over 200 bus stations by 2029. The law mandates that developers allocate 10% of units as affordable housing and 20% for workforce housing, offering incentives such as a 20-year multifamily property tax exemption. The legislation passed along mostly party lines, with some Republican objections regarding affordability components.

Cities must comply with the new requirements by late July, with deadlines for implementation based on comprehensive plan updates. Ferguson noted that this bill aligns with his Housing Action Plan priorities and can significantly increase the housing supply. Last year, a similar bill stalled in the Senate, highlighting the importance of this year's legislation.