2026 Legislative Session Recap

ARCH members came together ahead of the 2026 Legislative Session with a set of legislative priorities. Thanks to ARCH members testifying and advocating for pro-affordable housing policy, several bills passed in alignment with ARCH’s legislative priorities.

ARCH Priority 1: Increase funding for affordable housing at the state and local levels

1A: Provide local revenue options to support affordable housing (such as a graduated local Real Estate Excise Tax)

• HB 2442 Passed! This bill provides local governments with tax fund flexibility, including 1590 funds and 1406 funds that are intended for affordable housing.

1B: Encourage state investments and provide funding incentives for local jurisdictions to promote affordable housing (such as expanding the HB 1406 state sales tax credit)

• The WA State Supplemental Capital Budget had $123 million for the WA State Housing Trust Fund, including:

  • $55 million for first-time low-income homeownership

  • $50 million for multifamily rental housing projects

  • $40 million for affordable housing preservation

ARCH Priority 2: Continue to reduce barriers and support local efforts to build more affordable housing faster

2A: Establish development and tax incentives to support affordable rental and ownership housing on properties owned by religious organizations

• HB 1859 Passed! This bill encourages mixed income developments on faith-owned land.

2B: Support other policies that expand access to land for a range of affordable housing types (such as surplus property policies)

• HB 1974 Passed! This bill establishes land banking authorities to support creating viable land for affordable housing developments.

General Policy Principles

ARCH supports policies and continued state assistance that ensure strong local affordable housing projects, plans, and programs (such as the Multifamily Tax Exemption and inclusionary policies).

• ARCH monitored SB 6026, which allows residential-only development in previously commercial or mixed-use zones. ARCH members helped shape this bill to better support business districts.

ARCH recognizes the importance of maintaining the existing stock of affordable housing in East King County and protecting prior investments.

• The WA State Supplemental Operating Budget included $15 million for permanent supportive housing and Continuum of Care funding.

ARCH members testifying in support of incentivizing mixed income housing on faith-owned land