03/14/2026
Yes - let’s celebrate!
Sadly Kenmore is still connected with this bill (and opposition to it) but there are many in Kenmore and elsewhere in Northshore who will celebrate its passing.
There is still very little STEP housing provision in the Northshore area.
With cost of living continually rising, those on fixed incomes (including many seniors) need better from their communities in terms of a housing safety net.
This bill will help stop some of the more egregious actions by local governments to deny that. Putting an air-gap between malicious misinformation campaigns and local legislation.
Local politicians may still think they can score points with reactionary talking points that have little basis in reality. But this legislation stops them from carrying that into blocking much needed housing in their communities.
Let's celebrate passage of House Bill 2266, which removes barriers to housing and shelter. Big thanks to State Representative Strom Peterson (LD21) for pressing this forward for 3 years, to State Senator Emily Alvarado (LD34). Let's hear it for the folks who work to site and open apartment buildings, transitional housing, and shelters in communities across Washington! Hope to see some of you at the bill signing!
"Advocates who support expanding homelessness services statewide praised the bill’s passage, saying it would allow providers to focus their resources on housing, rather than permitting, which would pave the way for more shelter and homes.
"Alison Eisinger, executive director of the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness, said the legislation was, at its core, an “antidiscrimination bill.”
“It says you cannot discriminate against certain people’s homes,” she said. “You have to use good judgment, really, and say if this proposed project meets the basic requirements, it can move forward.” https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/wa-bill-to-remove-barriers-to-homeless-shelters-housing-heads-to-ferguson/
