New WA Law Drops Barriers for Homeless Shelters, Permanent Supportive Housing

The law limits local governments' ability to block these projects in residential areas.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 4:26am

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A new Washington state law will require local governments to allow housing for people experiencing homelessness in residential areas. The law, signed by Governor Bob Ferguson, limits communities' ability to stop homeless shelters and permanent supportive housing projects. It requires cities to permit transitional and permanent supportive housing in residential and hotel development zones, and indoor emergency shelters in areas where hotels are allowed.

Why it matters

Communities across Washington have pushed back against permitting homeless shelters and permanent supportive housing in their neighborhoods. This new law aims to minimize costly delays caused by local government apprehension and ensure these critical housing options can be built more quickly and predictably.

The details

House Bill 2266, sponsored by Rep. Strom Peterson, D-Edmonds, requires cities to allow transitional and permanent supportive housing in residential and hotel development zones in an urban growth area. Indoor emergency shelters and housing must be allowed in zones where hotels are allowed. The law limits the conditions local governments can impose on these 'STEP housing' projects compared to other development. Counties and cities can require prospective operators to hold a community meeting, notify local residents, and provide further information, and can negotiate additional requirements related to health and safety if the shelter will be within 500 feet of a school.

  • Governor Bob Ferguson signed the new law on March 27, 2026.
  • The law takes effect in June 2026.

The players

Bob Ferguson

The Governor of Washington who signed the new law.

Strom Peterson

The Democratic state representative who sponsored House Bill 2266.

Denny Heck

The Lieutenant Governor of Washington who has been a key adviser to Governor Ferguson on housing issues.

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What they’re saying

“Expanding it is an important step to ensuring more residents have a safe place to call home.”

— Bob Ferguson, Governor of Washington

“It was a moral failing of our state that our laws did not encourage and facilitate more construction of permanent supported housing.”

— Denny Heck, Lieutenant Governor of Washington

“We have a glut of vacant storefronts, of boarded up big box stores and of empty strip malls, and it would be amazing to help solve our housing shortage by transforming those places into homes.”

— Emily Alvarado, State Senator

What’s next

The new law takes effect in June 2026, at which point local governments will be required to comply with its provisions allowing homeless shelters and permanent supportive housing in residential areas.

The takeaway

This new law represents a significant step forward in addressing homelessness in Washington state by removing barriers that have historically prevented the construction of critical housing options like shelters and permanent supportive housing. However, more work remains to be done to fully solve the state's housing crisis.