Key housing bills clear Senate

OLYMPIA – Housing security was the focus of floor action in the state Senate today, as lawmakers approved three key pieces of Senate Democrats’ housing agenda for 2008.

Creating more affordable housing -- increasing the Housing Finance Commission's lending capacity

Homes for an additional 11,640 moderate-income families are one step closer to being built, after a measure to increase the lending capacity of the Housing Finance Commission was unanimously approved today in the Senate. The commission provides financing for the building of low and moderate income housing by issuing bonds, but is approaching its debt limit.

Senate Bill 6332 would increase the commission’s lending capacity by $2 billion, a move with no fiscal impact to state coffers because the commission’s debt is independent of the state budget.

“This is a measure we can move quickly on, and it will make a tremendous difference in providing more affordable housing for the next four to seven years,” said the bill’s prime sponsor, Sen. Claudia Kauffman, D-Kent.

Protection from faulty home repairs – creating a cause of action for negligent construction

If a doctor leaves a scalpel in a patient during surgery, the doctor can be held liable.  If a driver is in an accident, the driver can be held liable.  But, if a homebuilder knowingly sells a new home with siding deficiencies that cause thousands of dollars in damage, the builder cannot be held liable in Washington.

Senate Bill 6385, sponsored by Sen. Brian Weinstein, D-Mercer Island, remedies that gross double-standard.  The measure gives homebuyers a cause of action against negligent homebuilders who fail to exercise a reasonable duty of care in home construction or remodeling.

“Having to pay potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars out of their own pocket  to repair their own home because of a builder’s negligence should not be yet another burden Washington families’ have to shoulder in this time of economic uncertainty,” Weinstein said. “This bill is about accountability.”

SB 6385 was approved today in the Senate on a 27-20 vote.

Preserving existing affordable housing -- protecting single-wide mobile homeowners from being zoned out of their communities

Single-wide mobile homes are an important source of affordable housing, yet some municipalities are prohibiting manufactured housing communities from allowing these small and often older homes. This discrimination against consumers’ housing choices makes it difficult for many citizens to get into a home they can afford.

Senate Bill 5524, sponsored by Sen. Jean Berkey, D-Everett, prohibits cities, towns, and counties from restricting single-wide manufactured homes from being located in manufactured housing communities based solely on the home’s age or size.

“Affordable housing is a big concern for many Washington citizens,” said Berkey. “It is important that this less-costly housing option continues to be available.”

SB 5524 was approved unanimously on the floor of Senate today.

Return to Sen. Kauffman's home page

Return to Sen. Berkey's home page

Return to Sen. Weinstein's home page