CityVoice - S08E03: Housing and homelessness bills

AWC Deputy Director of Government Relations Carl Schroeder leads a look at several bills on housing and homelessness and their potential impacts on Washington cities and towns. He covers SB 6026/HB 2480, which would require cities to allow housing in commercial and mixed use zones as well as limit first-floor retail authority. He also discusses HB 2266/SB 6069 on STEP supportive, transitional, and emergency housing and details the practical considerations of HB 2489, which would affect cities' ability to enforce ordinances limiting activities such as camping on public property. 

 

• Read more about SB 6026/HB 2480 on zoning: https://wacities.org/advocacy/news/advocacy-news/2026/01/23/a-short-bill-with-significant-consequences---requiring-housing-in-commercial-zones
• Learn about HB 2266/SB 6069 on STEP housing: STEP housing bill returns
• Follow the news on HB 2489: https://wacities.org/advocacy/news/advocacy-news/2026/01/16/homeless-response-bill-emerges-to-allow-camping-in-all-public-spaces