The 2024 Washington state legislative session ended on March 7 and included a mix of promising wins and some notably disappointing losses that will reverberate for some time to come. Most notably, legislators are heading home from Olympia without fully addressing critical housing affordability issues affecting over a million renter households across the state, including those in Spokane.
Despite the continuation of historic investments from the 2023 session, key bills like rent stabilization did not pass, despite significant compromise by supporters, highlighting the session’s limitations and its impact on Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and financially constrained households.
The focus was partially diverted by debates on six ballot initiatives, three of which legislators passed during the session in lieu of sending them to voters in November that addressed issues of vehicular pursuit regulations, educational content restrictions, and preventing income tax on gross income. These legislative decisions, coupled with the announcement of Sen. Andy Billig’s retirement and the upcoming changes in Spokane’s legislative representation, underscore the session’s mixed outcomes and the ongoing challenges in effectively addressing the region’s housing crisis.
The good
The 2024 Washington state legislative session saw significant achievements, with lawmakers focusing on housing affordability, economic development and inclusivity. Key legislation aimed at combating the housing crisis and spurring economic growth was sent to the governor for signing:
Professional licensure expansion: Simplifies professional licensure for all individuals, enhancing workforce inclusivity and economic contribution.
Workforce housing accelerator: Creates a fund to aid the development of low-income housing, making affordable options more accessible.
Co-living housing options: Eases restrictions on co-living spaces, offering economical alternatives to traditional housing.
Nonprofit housing development: Grants local governments flexibility to offer property tax exemptions for nonprofits providing affordable rental housing built with city and county funds, directly addressing the housing shortage.
Transit-oriented housing: Adjusts housing requirements near transit hubs, boosting urban housing density and affordability.
These successes mark a deliberate move by the Legislature to address the housing crisis, enhance inclusivity and support community economic participation, notably benefiting BIPOC individuals in Spokane. Through these bills, Washington state advances toward a more inclusive, prosperous future, demonstrating a commitment to addressing key societal needs and ensuring sustainable development across various sectors.
The bad
It wasn’t all good though. Several significant bills failed to pass in the 2024 legislative session, underscoring the complexities of legislative processes and the difficulty in implementing reforms:
Rent stabilization: Proposed a 7% annual cap on rent and fee increases, with exemptions and enhanced tenant protections, including better notice for rent hikes and limitations on fees. Aimed at fairness in rental agreements, it included landlord and tenant support measures.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families – TANF: Sought to extend eligibility for parents with children under 2, aligning with WorkFirst participation exemptions to support working families.
Integration of tribal entities in involuntary treatment actions: Aimed at integrating tribes in involuntary treatment processes, enhancing collaboration, recognizing tribal court orders, and promoting culturally sensitive mental health care.
Language assistance in elections: Intended to mandate language assistance in elections for various language minority groups, enhancing electoral participation and inclusivity.
Although these pieces of legislation were successful in becoming law, they spotlight the need for ongoing advocacy in housing, family support, tribal integration and improving electoral inclusivity.
The budget
The 2024 Washington state budget, critical for addressing community needs, significantly impacts Spokane, BIPOC communities, and addresses housing and homelessness through both operating and capital budgets:
Operating budget highlights:
• Allocates $3.7 million, including $1 million for Spokane’s Street Medicine initiative, targeting homeless individuals with substance use disorders.
• Provides $1.5 million from opioid settlement funds for substance disorder treatment in non-traditional settings.
• Invests $4 million in a Spokane emergency housing shelter and $2 million for emergency housing assistance for vulnerable groups.
• Increases the document recording fee backfill to $25 million, supporting the Covenant Homeownership Program aimed at addressing housing discrimination and promoting affordability.
• Expands health care coverage with $25.5 million for undocumented immigrants, enhancing access without additional outreach funds.
Capital budget highlights:
• Allocates $127.5 million to the Housing Trust Fund for housing initiatives, focusing on homeownership and repairs.
• Funds Eastern Washington projects including $5 million for the Kalispel Tribe’s Camas Health Inpatient Treatment; $2 million for the Seven Nations Healing Lodge; and $1 million for Mujeres in Action’s Casa Mia Casa, supporting domestic abuse survivors.
These budgets play a pivotal role in enhancing living conditions, health care access, and housing support, especially for Spokane’s BIPOC families and workers, promoting inclusivity and stability in addressing the region’s housing and homelessness challenges.
The future
Now that the 2024 legislative session has wrapped up, attention turns to the upcoming election and the 2025 legislative session which marks the start of a new fiscal biennium. With a newly elected governor and shifts in Spokane’s legislative leadership, there is uncertainty and opportunity for fresh approaches to our region’s housing crisis.
The evolving legislative landscape presents a crucial moment for inclusive policy-making, where the advocacy and engagement of Spokane-area communities and those most impacted are essential in shaping a legislative agenda that prioritizes equity, economic opportunities and social justice.