There’s still time to help shape the creation of WA's new Department of Housing — their survey closes 4/26 at 11:59 p.m. Your input will directly inform the Housing Task Force’s recommendations to the Governor and Legislature. Add your voice now: www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026StateDeptHousingTaskForce

Real housing solutions require alignment. As Todd Welch from the Everett Herald puts it: when policy, permitting, and financing all work together, housing can be delivered more efficiently—and at a scale that meets real community needs.

Read more:
www.heraldnet.com/2026/04/01/w...

Austin’s Surge of New Housing Construction Drove Down Rents After decades of explosive growth, Austin, Texas, in the 2010s was a victim of its own success. Lured by high-tech jobs and the city’s hip reputation, too many people were competing for too few homes....

A new report from @pewtrusts.org sheds light on how Austin became one of the only major U.S. cities where rents have fallen since the pandemic. The reason: the city made it dramatically easier to build housing.

Read the full report: www.pew.org/en/research-...

We’re proud to share that our new ad campaign is live. It highlights how builders in our region aren’t just building homes, they’re creating room for what matters most to our families and communities. Check out the new campaign website to learn more. RoomForWhatMatters.com

Last week, MBAKS joined @governorferguson.bsky.social to support key housing bills that open underused commercial space for housing, allow for ADUs in rural areas, and speed up permitting timelines—removing barriers and making it easier to build more homes across Washington.

Our state is gathering input to help create a new Dept. of Housing focused on understanding priorities, needs, and ideas for policy and system improvements. Your perspective will help inform their recommendations. Share your feedback by April 26: www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026StateDeptHousingTaskForce

WA Legislative recap: The 2026 session brought key housing reforms, from permit streamlining to condo liability fixes, while budget talks and the new “millionaire tax” dominated the final days. Read more on what it means for WA housing: www.mbaks.com/news/builder...

.@nahb.bsky.social's new analysis shows how rising prices, mortgage rates, and other factors are pushing millions of buyers out of the market. Access the report and the data behind it on our blog: www.mbaks.com/news/homeown...

We’re celebrating pro-housing bills supported by MBAKS that were signed into law by @governorferguson.bsky.social yesterday, including condominium reform, a study on scissor stairs in some multifamily buildings, and expanded middle housing options in certain unincorporated urban growth areas.

Seattle Mayor Wilson signed into law a SEPA ordinance that removes a significant hurdle to building more housing. We applaud the Mayor and City Council for passing this reform, which will make it easier to build more housing choices without compromising environmental standards.

We’re mid-way through Washington’s legislative session and housing is once again front and center. The details change each session, but the goal stays the same. We go to bat for practical, long-term solutions that lower barriers to housing today and for the generations to come.

Thanks to everyone that made Hill Day such a success. Our members and staff took part in 43 meetings with state leaders to talk through real housing solutions.

We’re grateful to the 30+ members who showed up and to our elected leaders for the time, candor, and productive conversations.

Our Annual Hill Day is tomorrow! MBAKS staff and members will be in Olympia meeting with elected leaders to advocate for policies that help expand housing options across King and Snohomish counties.

You can learn more about our 2026 legislative priorities here: www.mbaks.com/advocacy/hou...

WA fund raids undermining efforts to boost housing supply, advocates warn (The Center Square) - As the Washington legislative session continues discussions around bills to boost the housing supply, building industry advocates are warning that continued raids on an account m...

Less funding for vital infrastructure will mean fewer homes to address our state's housing needs.

www.thecentersquare.com/washington/a...

Thank you to Urbanist Shoreline for a great conversation on housing last night!

So glad to partner together on this panel and share our thoughts on the complexities of delivering housing in our region. As well as solutions.

RSVP for How Does Housing Get Built? Urbanist Shoreline and the Master Builders of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) are excited to co-host a conversation all about how housing gets built in Shoreline and around our region. Join us for...

We’re excited to partner with Urbanist Shoreline to bring builders, housing advocates & community members together for a discussion on how housing gets built.

Join us Thursday 11/20 as we explore the real-world challenges and solutions shaping housing in our region.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Thanks to all who joined us for our Housing Solutions Breakfast today! We’re grateful you could be part of this important conversation about unlocking more housing supply.

Let’s keep the momentum going—together—to make home happen.

Burien Eyes Rolling Back Zoning Changes in Response to Homeowner Pressure » The Urbanist # A 5-2 vote at the council puts a zoning rollback in Three Tree Point, Lake Burien, and Seahurst on the table for 2026, following months of advocacy by residents. This November's election will likely...

NEW // Burien Eyes Rolling Back Zoning Changes in Response to Homeowner Pressure

By Ryan Packer

via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/09/29/b...

Fed Chair Jerome Powell today after the announced rate cut: "...there’s a deeper problem here, not a cyclical problem that the Fed can address, and that is a nationwide #housing shortage. A lot of places in the country just don’t have enough housing for people.” #LetBuildersBuild

“Homebuilders stand ready to partner in the work of providing the diverse housing Seattle needs...Together, these proposals will expand housing choices, strengthen affordability, and help create more inclusive, livable neighborhoods across the city” -Logan Schmidt, Seattle Govt Affairs Manager-MBAKS

Today is the final public hearing to comment on Seattle's comp plan. MBAKS joins our Complete Communities Coalition partners in calling on the Council to adopt strong, pro-housing amendments, building upon @mayorofseattle.bsky.social's proposal to meaningfully address Seattle’s housing shortage.

Thank you to State Senator Jesse Salomon and other elected officials and guests who joined us for our Seattle Builders Reception @docksideatdukes earlier this week!

Great connections and conversation on our shared work to make home happen.

Join us for our annual Housing Solutions Breakfast Tuesday, Oct. 14 where we’ll explore these and other actions needed to unlock housing supply.

www.mbaks.com/Meetings/Mee...

Some of the solutions needed to facilitate more housing include:

✅Faster, fairer permitting processes

✅Removal of local barriers to middle housing

✅Updates to outdated subdivision laws

In a recent Seattle Times op-ed, @MBAKS Board President Jennifer Tennyson calls for more action to address the state’s housing shortage, so everyone has a place to call home.

www.seattletimes.com/opinion/here...

Importantly, this change does not eliminate parking—it simply removes outdated mandates that may not reflect market needs. Developers will still build parking where it is demanded, but with added discretion to match the site, location, and residents' needs.

Eliminating parking minimums will: (1) Provide greater design flexibility for new housing; (2) Lower overall development costs by avoiding the construction of unnecessary parking; and (3) Support more efficient, environmentally responsible land use.

On Monday, the Shoreline City Council voted 6-0 to eliminate parking minimums citywide! 🚗⛔We commend the City for taking this proactive step to support more affordable, sustainable, and livable communities.

See who the Affordable Housing Council is endorsing from King and Snohomish counties in the 8/5 primary election:

www.mbaks.com/advocacy/aff...

The primary election is Tuesday, August 5th.

Be on the lookout for your ballot, and don’t forget to vote!