Dear friends and neighbors,
Throughout the interim, I’ve been working in our communities, attending local events, meeting with community organizations, visiting local businesses and hearing directly from constituents about the issues that matter most to them.
One topic I hear about again and again is housing. Whether it’s the cost of rent, the challenge of buying a first home or the lack of housing options for seniors and working families, housing affordability continues to affect people throughout the 5th Legislative District and across Washington.
I want to share some of the progress we made during the 2026 legislative session to help address our state’s housing challenges and create more opportunities for people to find safe, stable and affordable homes.
Building More Housing and Expanding Housing Options
This year, the Legislature made significant investments to address Washington’s housing shortage and support affordable housing across our state.
The Legislature approved an additional $200 million for housing and homelessness services, including $123 million for the Housing Trust Fund. These investments will help fund affordable housing projects, emergency shelters, recovery housing, senior housing and homeownership opportunities in communities throughout Washington.
In addition to these budget investments, we passed several policy measures aimed at increasing housing supply, reducing barriers to development and preserving affordable housing for future generations.
Some of the key housing bills we passed include:
HB 2418 — Streamlines local permitting processes and reduces delays so housing projects can move forward more quickly.
HB 1687 — Allows local governments to reduce red tape and streamline requirements for affordable and mixed-income housing projects developed by social housing organizations.
HB 2266 — Makes it easier for communities to develop shelters, transitional housing and permanent supportive housing by ensuring these housing types are treated more consistently under local zoning rules.
HB 1974 — Authorizes cities and counties to establish land banks that can acquire and hold property until housing projects are ready to move forward.
SB 6237 — Improves transparency for renters by ensuring they receive the same information about known flood risks that homebuyers receive.
SB 6027 — Helps preserve existing affordable and supportive housing by allowing local housing-related sales tax revenues to be used for operations, maintenance and rehabilitation, in addition to new construction.
SB 5156 — Makes it easier to build smaller apartment buildings by allowing more flexible elevator standards while maintaining accessibility requirements.
SB 6026 — Expands opportunities for housing development by opening more land for apartments, condominiums and mixed-use housing, including underutilized commercial areas.
There is no single solution to our housing shortage, but these measures represent meaningful progress toward increasing housing supply, preserving affordability and ensuring more Washingtonians have access to a safe place to call home.
Making Life More Affordable
Another concern I hear about throughout the district is the rising cost of everyday necessities. From housing and utilities to groceries, childcare and health care, many Washingtonians are working hard but finding it increasingly difficult to get ahead.
That’s why the Legislature took several important steps this session to help ease financial burdens and put money back into the pockets of working families, seniors, veterans and vulnerable residents.
HB 1903 — expands energy assistance programs to help low-income households pay utility bills and keep their homes safe and comfortable throughout the year.
HB 6162 — strengthens and expands property tax relief for seniors, veterans with disabilities and people living with disabilities, helping approximately 30,000 additional Washingtonians qualify for protections that can help them remain in their homes and communities.
We also passed the Millionaires Tax (SB 6346), which establishes a tax on extraordinary financial wealth held by the state’s richest residents. The revenue generated will help fund investments in public education, childcare and other services that support working families while helping make Washington’s tax system more balanced and equitable.
For many households, even modest increases in monthly expenses can have a significant impact. That’s why I remain committed to advancing practical solutions that help people keep more of their hard-earned income while ensuring essential services remain accessible and affordable.
Celebrating Our Students and Future Leaders
One of my favorite parts of this time of year is graduation season. It’s always inspiring to see young people reach this important milestone and take the next step toward their future.
I recently had the opportunity to attend the commencement ceremonies at Enumclaw High School and Tahoma High School and celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2026. Congratulations to all of these graduates on their hard work, perseverance and accomplishments.
As a legislator, I believe one of our most important responsibilities is ensuring that every student has access to the opportunities and support they need to succeed. Whether these graduates are heading to college, apprenticeships, the workforce, military service or another path, they represent the future of our communities and our state.
I look forward to seeing all they accomplish in the years ahead and wish them the very best as they begin this exciting new chapter.
Thank You
As always, thank you for taking the time to stay engaged. Whether you contact my office, attend a community event, share your story or simply follow along with my work, your voice matters.
You can email me at victoria.hunt@leg.wa.gov or call me at 360-786-7608. You can also stay informed about my work by visiting my website or following me on my official Instagram and Facebook pages for regular updates.
With gratitude,
Sen. Victoria Hunt
