OLYMPIA – On Monday, the House of Representatives passed standards to encourage the siting of emergency shelters, transitional housing, emergency housing, and permanent supportive housing (STEP). Sponsored by Rep. Strom Peterson, D-Edmonds, House Bill 2266 brings stability and predictability to the siting process while still preserving some local control for local governments.
“We need to recognize that all housing is housing,” said Peterson. “For our neighbors who need these types of housing, failure to site these facilities means homelessness and poverty without a viable path forward.”
House Bill 2266 prohibits unreasonable, restrictive standards from being imposed on the construction of STEP housing. This means that cities must largely follow the same standards for STEP housing siting that they would for residential housing or lodging. Certain accommodations are made to allow cities to reasonably request operations plans and avoid certain areas by working with developers to find appropriate siting.
“Housing should be placed where it makes the most sense,” continued Peterson. “We are not going to turn the tide on the housing crisis without building more housing – all types of housing for all income levels. This bill creates predictability for STEP housing developers, and it will bring more housing for our neighbors who need it most.”
House Bill 2266 passed the House with a vote of 56-40 and is headed to the Senate for consideration. The 2026 legislative session lasts 60 days and is scheduled to end on March 12.