{"data":{"id":"us-wa/rcw-43.185b.005","jurisdiction":"us-wa","citation":"RCW 43.185B.005","heading":"Finding.","body":"(1) The legislature finds that:\n(a) Housing is of vital statewide importance to the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the state;\n(b) Reducing homelessness and moving individuals and families toward stable, affordable housing is of vital statewide importance;\n(c) Safe, affordable housing is an essential factor in stabilizing communities;\n(d) Residents must have a choice of housing opportunities within the community where they choose to live;\n(e) Housing markets are linked to a healthy economy and can contribute to the state's economy;\n(f) Land supply is a major contributor to the cost of housing;\n(g) Housing must be an integral component of any comprehensive community and economic development strategy;\n(h) State and local government must continue working cooperatively toward the enhancement of increased housing units by reviewing, updating, and removing conflicting regulatory language;\n(i) State and local government should work together in developing creative ways to reduce the shortage of housing;\n(j) The lack of a coordinated state housing policy inhibits the effective delivery of housing for some of the state's most vulnerable citizens and those with limited incomes; and\n(k) It is in the public interest to adopt a statement of housing policy objectives.\n(2) The legislature declares that the purposes of the Washington housing policy act are to:\n(a) Provide policy direction to the public and private sectors in their attempt to meet the shelter needs of Washington residents;\n(b) Reevaluate housing and housing-related programs and policies in order to ensure proper coordination of those programs and policies to meet the housing needs of Washington residents;\n(c) Improve the delivery of state services and assistance to very low-income and low-income households and special needs populations;\n(d) Strengthen partnerships among all levels of government, and the public and private sectors, including for-profit and nonprofit organizations, in the production and operation of housing to targeted populations including low-income and moderate-income households;\n(e) Increase the supply of housing for persons with special needs;\n(f) Encourage collaborative planning with social service providers;\n(g) Encourage financial institutions to increase residential mortgage lending; and\n(h) Coordinate housing into comprehensive community and economic development strategies at the state and local level.","path":["Title 43","Chapter 43.185B"],"source_url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=43.185B.005","current_through":"July 15, 2026","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-06T02:57:38Z","sha256":"5161daa940400f24d018088b38b2209547990bd39840b42cf251cc4610a1089a","source_id":"us-wa","stale":false,"prev":"us-wa/rcw-43.185a.902","next":"us-wa/rcw-43.185b.007"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}