HOUSE BILL REPORT

2SHB 1987

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed House:

February 13, 2018

Title: An act relating to allowing affordable housing development on religious organization property.

Brief Description: Allowing affordable housing development on religious organization property.

Sponsors: House Committee on Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives McBride, Macri, Robinson, Stanford, Slatter, Senn, Santos, Chapman, Ortiz-Self and Jinkins).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs: 2/14/17, 2/16/17 [DPS], 1/25/18 [DP2S].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/13/18, 74-24.

Brief Summary of Second Substitute Bill

Requires cities and counties planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA) with populations of more than 125,000 to allow an increased density bonus for certain affordable housing development on property owned or controlled by a religious organization.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING & TRIBAL AFFAIRS

Majority Report: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Ryu, Chair; Macri, Vice Chair; Barkis, Ranking Minority Member; Reeves.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 2 members: Representatives McCabe, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Jenkin.

Staff: Kirsten Lee (786-7133).

Background:

Local Development Regulations.

Cities and counties engaging in comprehensive planning may enact ordinances and codes to regulate the use of land and zoning certain development and activities. Such regulations generally include: the location, construction and size of buildings for residence, industry, trade, and other purposes; the height, construction, and design of buildings and structures; the size of yards, open spaces, lots, and tracts; the density of population; the set-back of buildings; the subdivision and development of land; and adoption of standard building codes and fire regulations.

Summary of Second Substitute Bill:

Governing bodies of cities and counties planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA), with a population of over 125,000, must allow an increased density bonus consistent with local needs for any affordable housing development of single-family or multifamily residences located on real property owned or controlled by a religious organization when the affordable housing development:

is set aside for, or occupied exclusively for, low-income households. "Low-income household" means a single person, family, or unrelated persons living together whose adjusted income is less than 80 percent of the median family income, adjusted for household size for the county where the affordable housing development is located;
is part of a lease or other binding obligation that requires development to be used exclusively for affordable housing purposes for at least 40 years, even if the religious organization no longer owns the property; and
does not discriminate against any person who qualifies as a member of a low-income household.

The religious organization developing the qualifying affordable housing must pay all fees, mitigation costs, and other charges required and work with local transit agencies to ensure appropriate transit services are provided to the affordable housing development.

The definition of "affordable housing" is changed and requires qualifying units to have sales prices or rental amounts that do not exceed 30 percent of the income limit for the low-income housing, rather than defining what sales prices and rents are affordable based on federal, state, or local government housing programs.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Religious organizations have been partners in providing affordable housing and are working to prevent homelessness by building affordable housing. Sometimes underlying zoning requirements prevent religious organizations from being able to build affordable housing for multifamily housing. The bill allows religious organizations to carry on their mission to provide affordable housing but does not relieve a developer or religious organization from abiding by other guidelines and requirements not related to the density increase. Local jurisdictions retain the ability to increase density within their local needs.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative McBride, prime sponsor; and Paul Benz, Faith Action Network.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.