Unlock the Door for Affordable Housing

The Washington State Legislature is attempting to pass a number of bills this year that should increase the housing available and affordability.  The initiative is endorsed by the Washington Realtors Association, many not-for-profit organizations and cities throughout the State.  The initiative is called Unlock the Door for Affordable Homeownership.  Dan Bertolet of the Sightline Institute writes “Tackling a housing affordability crisis calls for three main fixes: more homes; more funding for affordable homes; and more tenant protections.  Alone, each strategy is insufficient; together, they form a balanced approach.  In growing cities without enough homes for all people who need them, building more homes of all shapes and sizes holds down average rents and prices, and that helps everyone.  Increased funding for subsidies delivers more homes to those who still can’t afford what the market can provide.  And, tenant protections safeguard those with the least housing security-renters-insulating them from rapid change.”

Both the Washington State House of Representative and the State Senate have numerous Bills they are working on from everything from; changing the current condominium laws to make it less onerous to develop; reducing the barriers for accessory dwellings, ease restrictions on tiny homes, increase density near light rail stations, redirect sales tax revenue for affordable housing, changing landlord / tenant regulations, converting to a progressive Real Estate Excise Tax on a purchase and sale, and other legislation.  The Legislature is fully engaged in increasing the housing affordability in the State of Washington.

Unfortunately, not all of this legislation will be passed.  My hope is that enough legislation passes to stabilize housing prices in the Seattle Area.

Underground Storage Tanks

Many single-family homes built in the 1950’s and 1960’s were heated by oil heat and had 250 to 300 gallon underground storage tanks.  These were considered state of the art at the time and they’ve been heating homes for 60 to 70 years.  One problem many homeowners are facing today is the underground storage tanks are very old and at the end of their useful life.  In the State of Washington, the homeowner is responsible for the remediation costs if the oil tank leaks into the soil and groundwater.  This could be very expensive, tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars.  In the last 20 to 30 years many owners have converted to natural gas heat or electric heat and decommissioned their oil tanks.

The State of Washington established the Pollution Liability Insurance Agency (PLIA) many years ago to mitigate the environmental hazards associated with soil contamination and groundwater contamination.  They work with public lands, commercial properties and privately held parcels.  If a single-family homeowner simply “Registers” their underground storage tank with (PLIA) the Agency will provide the owner with grants and loans up to $60,000 if the tank leaks and contaminates the soil or groundwater.  However, most homeowner have never “Registered” their tank and are completely liable for the clean-up of the hazardous material.  I encourage you to “Register” your storage tank with this State of Washington Agency.