Washington state is facing a real and urgent housing crisis. Families are struggling, individuals are experiencing homelessness, and communities across our state are searching for solutions that are both compassionate and effective.
We all share a common goal: helping people transition to stability, self-sufficiency and self-reliance. That goal must guide every policy decision we make. Unfortunately, House Bill 2266 moves us in the wrong direction, and that is why I did not support it.
At its core, HB 2266 expands requirements for cities and counties to allow transitional housing, permanent supportive housing and emergency shelters, often referred to as “STEP housing,” in nearly all residential and hotel zones within urban growth areas. It also significantly limits the ability of local governments to apply additional conditions, operational agreements or permitting processes beyond what is required for other residential uses.
While the intent behind the legislation is understandable, the approach is deeply flawed. Communities work best when solutions are built from the ground up, not imposed from the top down.
HB 2266 preempts local decision-making and replaces it with a one-size-fits-all mandate from Olympia. It restricts the ability of cities and counties to tailor housing solutions based on their unique needs, infrastructure and community input.
We cannot ignore a simple reality: if transitional or supportive housing is placed into a neighborhood without meaningful community engagement and buy-in, it will not succeed.
Successful programs rely on trust between providers, residents and the surrounding community. That trust is built through transparency, communication, and collaboration. When those elements are removed or minimized, the result is often resistance, frustration and ultimately failure.
Local governments are not barriers to progress — they are partners in it.
Cities and counties are on the front lines. They understand where services exist, where infrastructure can support housing, and how to ensure safety for both residents and neighbors. They also invest significant local resources like land, funding, and staff to make these projects work.
HB 2266 limits a local government’s ability to negotiate operational agreements that ensure safety and accountability; apply thoughtful spacing and siting standards; and require meaningful community engagement processes. These three tools are important for local governments to make this work.
Even more concerning, the bill preempts local regulations and invalidates conflicting ordinances, regardless of whether communities have updated their plans. That is not partnership, that is preemption.
Washington is a diverse state. The 20th Legislative District is a diverse district stretching from South Thurston County almost to the City of Vancouver. What works in Seattle may not work in Centralia. What works in Federal Way may not work in Ridgefield.
Yet, HB 2266 applies a uniform statewide standard that assumes every community has the same needs, resources, and capacity. We’ve seen this approach before, and it repeatedly falls short. Effective housing policy must be flexible. It must allow innovation. And it must empower local leaders to adapt solutions to their communities.
We can and must do better. A path forward should encourage local governments to expand housing options; provide funding and incentives for successful programs; support partnerships between providers and communities; and require accountability and measurable outcomes.
But most importantly, we must listen. The most successful housing solutions come from the community up, not Olympia down. That means engaging neighborhoods, collaborating with local leaders, and ensuring that housing is placed where it can succeed with access to services, transportation, and support systems.
This is not about opposing housing. It is about supporting housing that works.
It is about ensuring that individuals experiencing homelessness receive not just shelter but the support they need to rebuild their lives. And it is about making sure communities are part of the solution that fits their values and uniqueness, not pushed aside by it.
Compassion and accountability are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they depend on each other. If we want lasting solutions, we must build them together.
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Rep. Peter Abbarno represents the 20th Legislative District and is the House Republican Caucus chair.
