OLYMPIA, Wash. – A new law signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson is set to ease financial burdens for developers of affordable housing.
Senate Bill 5662, sponsored by Sen. Marcus Riccelli (D-Spokane), allows city utilities to waive connection fees for nonprofit and affordable housing developments.
This applies to properties owned or developed by nonprofits, public development authorities, housing authorities, or local agencies providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing or affordable housing.
“I’m proud to deliver this critical tool that will help organizations like Habitat for Humanity create more affordable housing projects that will positively impact our community,” Riccelli said in a press release.
Michelle Girardot, CEO of Habitat for Humanity-Spokane, highlighted the impact, noting that last year’s facility connection fees added over $16,000 to a Habitat home’s cost. “This bill gives local governments the option to waive those fees, removing a major financial barrier,” Girardot stated.
Ben Stuckart, Executive Director of the Spokane Low Income Housing Consortium, added that SB 5662 will save about $100,000 for large multifamily projects and over $16,000 for each low-income homeownership opportunity.
The bill will take effect on July 27.
