Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/1189280
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (ADU) BILL Enable ADUs as a housing option During the 2019 legislative session, Representative Mia Gregerson introduced a statewide ADU bill MBAKS and our allies supported this effort and elevated debate around the importance of backyard cottages and in-law apartments as a tool for expanding housing opportunities in our state Despite a strong effort to advance an ADU bill, the final version of ESSB 5812 considered by the 2019 legislature passed the Senate with bipartisan support but fell just short of making it to the House floor and ultimately did not pass MBAKS' position is that ADUs (both attached and detached) offer significant benefits and should be allowed throughout our region and state They provide a fundamental housing choice for retirees who want to age in place and young adults looking for their first home, as well as college students, extended family members, and others HB 1923 EXPANSION Add to list of options in HB 1923 to increase residential building capacity and housing affordability On May 9, 2019, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law E2SHB 1923, landmark legislation to increase residential building capacity in cities The bill, supported by MBAKS, is designed to address the statewide housing shortage by encouraging cities planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA) to facilitate new housing MBAKS is asking the legislature to consider ways to build upon E2SHB 1923, including a possible extension of the time period during which ordinances and regulations developed in accordance with the new law would be exempt from appeals under SEPA and the GMA Have a policy idea or concern? The MBAKS Government Affairs team is here to help. Reach out at mbaks.com/advocacy MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING Re-legalize a variety of home choices that best fit all residents' needs Not having enough housing or housing diversity is a statewide problem requiring a range of solutions—including more housing of all types Starting around the 1920s, code changes in many cities resulted in more areas zoned exclusively for single-family homes Today more than half of a typical Washington city's residential areas allow only single-dwelling houses This is inconsistent with the significant population growth we've experienced over the years Many people who want to live in our cities are finding it harder and harder to attain housing there MBAKS supports legislation that would allow more than one home on a parcel This change would enable property owners in urban areas, if they so choose, to build a duplex or add an ADU on parcels where currently only single- dwelling houses are permitted Cities could choose to go further and legalize other home choices, such as triplexes and fourplexes Duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes are more affordable than detached, single-dwelling houses because land costs, which account for a significant portion of a home's value, can be shared across several households Furthermore, construction costs for ADUs and "plexes" are lower per square foot than taller apartment buildings Allowing more modest homes as an option would create more affordable home choices in neighborhoods close to jobs, transit, schools, parks, and other amenities It would also help more families to remain in their desired communities 41 WINTER 2019 master builder