Inslee signs bill that could bring more density to neighborhoods

Ginte Hart struggles to pay rent, even in a two-income household.

“Now I’ve become low income where once I was middle class,” she said about rising costs.

The bills Gov. Jay Inslee signed Monday are designed to help increase the supply of housing by paving the way for more homes across Washington.

“This session our legislature needed to go big so people could go home,” Inslee said.

One of the bills requires cities to allow more density in what are now single-family neighborhoods.

“We’re going to legalize accessory dwelling units, middle housing and condos so that people have choices for different types of affordable housing at their price point,” said Rep. Jessica Bateman (D-Olympia).

Potential density will depend on a city’s population.

Cities with more than 75,000 people must allow fourplexes everywhere.

Sixplexes are allowed if the property is within a quarter mile of a major transit stop or if two units are affordable.

Cities with between 25,000 and 75,000 people must allow duplexes everywhere.

Fourplexes are allowed if the property is within a quarter mile of a major transit stop or if one unit is affordable.

This new law raises the question of how neighborhoods might change.

Hayley Tsermengas of Kent is concerned about more density bringing more traffic.

“Doubling the amount of people in that area isn’t great for us,” she said.

“The traffic would increase with more people per address, but we all need somewhere to live,” said Chris Meyers, who also lives in Kent.

The middle housing bill passed with bipartisan support, and Inslee said at the signing it would help families who want to build an accessory dwelling unit for a relative.

Earlier in the session, some city officials voiced concern about the capacity of water and sewer systems.

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