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Governor Jay Inslee today released his 2023–2025 budget proposals, urging lawmakers to continue to prioritize investments in housing, homelessness and behavioral health with urgency and boldness. His budgets also outline updated plans for climate, salmon recovery, education, public safety, the state workforce and more.
The housing referendum will deliver funding so we can build more, faster
At the heart of Inslee’s housing proposal is a referendum that would allow lawmakers to appropriate $4 billion for housing construction over the next six years.
The core capital budget will fund approximately 2,200 housing units in 2023–2025. The $4 billion referendum would add approximately 5,300 additional housing units during that time and 19,000 over the next three bienniums.
“Unfortunately, we no longer have the flow of federal funds that we’re using todayy to quickly build thousands of new supportive housing units for people experiencing homelessness,” Inslee said. “I don’t want to lose momentum and I don’t want the problem to get worse because we’re not moving fast enough.”
The referendum would allow the state to issue bonds outside of Washington’s debt limit. It requires approval from lawmakers and voters.
Washington State’s point-in-time count for 2022 shows about 13,000 people are living homeless across Washington state, up from 10,506 in 2020. This follows a trend of rising housing prices and insufficient housing supply .
Read the full story on Gov’s Medium. Jay Inslee here.
The rising cost and shrinking supply of housing is increasing the number of homeless.
Governor Jay Inslee today released his 2023–2025 budget proposals, urging lawmakers to continue to prioritize investments in housing, homelessness and behavioral health with urgency and boldness. His budgets also outline updated plans for climate, salmon recovery, education, public safety, the state workforce and more.
The housing referendum will deliver funding so we can build more, faster
At the heart of Inslee’s housing proposal is a referendum that would allow lawmakers to appropriate $4 billion for housing construction over the next six years.
The core capital budget will fund approximately 2,200 housing units in 2023–2025. The $4 billion referendum would add approximately 5,300 additional housing units during that time and 19,000 over the next three bienniums.
“Unfortunately, we no longer have the flow of federal funds that we’re using todayy to quickly build thousands of new supportive housing units for people experiencing homelessness,” Inslee said. “I don’t want to lose momentum and I don’t want the problem to get worse because we’re not moving fast enough.”
The referendum would allow the state to issue bonds outside of Washington’s debt limit. It requires approval from lawmakers and voters.
Washington State’s point-in-time count for 2022 shows about 13,000 people are living homeless across Washington state, up from 10,506 in 2020. This follows a trend of rising housing prices and insufficient housing supply .
Read the full story on Gov’s Medium. Jay Inslee here.
The rising cost and shrinking supply of housing is increasing the number of homeless.
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Questions for the press | 360.902.4136
Public and constituent requirements | 360.902.4111
Questions for the press | 360.902.4136
