Washington’s housing needs are significant. According to regional growth projections, the Puget Sound area will welcome more than a million new residents by 2050. At the same time, rising costs, regulatory complexity, and lengthy permitting processes continue to make it difficult for new homes to be built that people can afford.
The reality is simple: If it costs more to build, it costs more to buy. Every unnecessary delay, added fee, and regulatory hurdle drives up the cost of housing and puts homeownership further out of reach.
Why Local Action Matters Now
Local governments have always played a central role in shaping the climate for housing. To support policymakers in this work, MBAKS has released a 50‑page Housing Toolkit with practical, actionable guidance for expanding housing options across our region.
From increasing middle housing to streamlining the permitting process, the Housing Toolkit identifies specific code updates, process improvements, and policy tools that local jurisdictions can adopt today without the need for state legislation.
We’ve spent years studying our housing challenges. We know what’s standing in the way, and we have the solutions. Let’s put those tools to work.
Clear Guidance for Meeting New Housing Requirements
Local governments are currently navigating major changes in state law, including new middle‑housing requirements, mandates to increase housing density near transit, and updated permitting timelines. The Housing Toolkit provides straightforward implementation guidance to help local leaders understand how to align local codes and processes with the state regulatory framework in a way that encourages new homes to be built.
Strategies such as flexible site‑planning and design standards and modernized parking requirements give communities a clear path to enable more housing. These are changes that can be made locally, quickly, and with meaningful impact.
Practical Tools Cities Can Use Immediately
Process improvements are another area where local governments can make immediate progress. Predictable permitting is essential to delivering homes efficiently, and the Housing Toolkit outlines ways cities and counties can streamline completeness checks and meet or exceed established permit review timelines. These changes reduce delays, lower costs, and help bring homes to market sooner, and that’s a benefit for everyone.
Finally, the Housing Affordability Test gives jurisdictions a simple framework for evaluating new regulations, fees, or requirements. By asking just three questions, local governments can assess whether policy decisions support housing access rather than unintentionally creating barriers.
A Path Toward Progress
Washington’s housing challenges are significant, but not insurmountable, and local governments can make meaningful progress right now. We hope stakeholders across our industry find the MBAKS Housing Toolkit to be a helpful resource for anyone who wants to encourage more homebuilding, greater affordability, and stronger communities. With practical guidance and a shared commitment to action, together we can make real strides toward a future where it’s easier to make home happen.
Check the full Housing Toolkit for more details.