Ellensburg Grapples with Climate Rules and Housing Affordability

State-mandated climate resilience regulations drive up housing costs, leaving some residents struggling to find affordable homes

Mar. 12, 2026 at 5:24pm

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Ellensburg's mayor claims that state-mandated climate resilience rules, coupled with fire, flood and heat hazards, are contributing to an affordable housing crisis in the city. The climate law, established in 2019, requires every city in Washington to create a plan to take better care of the environment. However, the high costs associated with complying with these regulations are driving up the price of housing, making it increasingly difficult for residents like Scott Sanders to find affordable places to live.

Why it matters

Ellensburg's affordable housing crisis highlights the tension between environmental regulations and economic realities. While the state's climate resilience laws aim to protect the environment, the high costs of compliance are putting a strain on the local housing market and making it harder for low-income residents to find suitable homes. This issue raises questions about how cities can balance sustainability goals with the need for accessible and affordable housing.

The details

The Ellensburg City Council claims the high housing prices are due to the high costs of building a home under the state's climate regulations. In January 2026, the Washington State Legislature passed a bill (House Bill 2486) that allows contractors to appeal to the state court for exceptions to certain climate regulations that prevent them from building homes in an economically feasible way. According to a report by the Building Industry Association of Washington, these climate regulations make up 24% of the costs for single-family homes and 41% for multi-family homes in the state.

  • In January 2026, the Washington State Legislature passed House Bill 2486 to address the high costs of climate regulations on housing.
  • In February 2023, the Building Industry Association of Washington released a report titled 'The Real Cost of Regulations' that analyzed the impact of climate regulations on housing prices.

The players

Ellensburg Mayor

The mayor of Ellensburg, who claimed that state-mandated climate resilience rules are contributing to the city's affordable housing crisis.

Scott Sanders

A warehouse worker and delivery driver in Ellensburg who struggled to find affordable housing after breaking up with his girlfriend, highlighting the challenges faced by low-income residents in the city.

Chuck Doan

The Ellensburg Building Official, who provided The Observer with a report from the Building Industry Association of Washington on the impact of climate regulations on housing costs.

Nancy Lillquist

An Ellensburg City Councilmember who defined resilience as 'how we are going to adapt to a warming climate and still maintain our quality of life as a community.'

Rebecca Springer

The water resources manager for the city of Ellensburg, who said the city is looking into 'what additional measures we can take as individuals and as a community to better use our resources so they have a better longevity.'

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The Ellensburg City Council is working to provide resources to address the affordable housing crisis while complying with state-mandated climate regulations. The state legislature's recent bill (House Bill 2486) aims to give contractors more flexibility in navigating these regulations, which could help reduce the high costs of building homes in the city.

The takeaway

Ellensburg's affordable housing crisis highlights the complex trade-offs between environmental regulations and economic realities. While the state's climate resilience laws are intended to protect the environment, the high costs of compliance are putting a strain on the local housing market and making it increasingly difficult for low-income residents to find affordable homes. This issue underscores the need for policymakers to find a balanced approach that addresses both sustainability and housing affordability concerns.