Two housing-related bills from two Mid-Columbia state lawmakers intended to address housing affordability and access will become law later this year. 

Gov. Bob Ferguson recently signed into law HB 1191, which will allow manufactured homes in cooperatively owned communities to be classified as real property, thereby making them eligible for traditional mortgage financing. The bill was sponsored by state Rep. April Connors, R-Kennewick. 

“Washington state has taken a step in the right direction by allowing more manufactured home buyers to access mortgages,” said Rachel Siegel, senior officer with Pew Charitable Trust’s housing policy initiative, in a statement. “Modern manufactured homes are similar in quality to more traditional single-family homes, yet can cost up to two-thirds less. These homes can help ease the nation’s housing shortage, but they remain most affordable if buyers can access mortgages—as more buyers will be able to do in Washington state once the law goes into effect in October of this year,” she added. 

Meanwhile, HB 1108, sponsored by state Rep. Mark Klicker, R-Walla Walla, will head to the governor’s desk after recently passing the state Senate. That bill requires the nonpartisan Washington State Institute of Public Policy to identify the primary cost drivers affecting housing prices for homeowners and renters. 

The institute will consult with economists, developers, realtors, mortgage lenders, and other industries, according to a release. It will also speak with government entities, trade unions, and public housing authorities. 

“This study will provide concrete information for state and local governments to use in shaping practical policies to finally start bringing down housing costs for owners and renters,” said Klicker.