The Washington State Legislature wrapped up the 2023 session on April 23rd. The end of the session left advocates hopeful and ready for change as our legislators made several investments into the affordable housing and homelessness crisis.

Direct service providers and advocates who have lived experience with housing instability, injustice, and homelessness, along with CFTH staff and partners, advocated for a bold budget to address housing justice and homelessness this year. This was done by communicating with legislators, testifying in committee hearings, and weighing in online in support of or opposition to proposed bills. Clark County had 60 advocates in total share their voices at Olympia this session.

The budget that passed happened because our legislators listened to community needs, took courageous action, and made a bold investment to help address one of the most significant human crises our state is facing – homelessness.

Housing wins include:

Advocates went into the session feeling optimistic due to promises of this year being ‘the year of housing.’ There were large opportunities to create housing change because of bills introduced that were greatly informed by service providers all over the state, including Clark County.

CFTH Strategic Partnerships & Advocacy Manager Laura Ellsworth shares, “The 2023  session was amazing for housing and homelessness funding in general, but there are still people currently in crisis, and more people than ever before keep falling into the crisis of homelessness.” Market-rate housing is still out of reach, and while investing in funding for long-term affordable housing is an excellent investment, it doesn’t provide immediate affordable homes for our community. Next year CFTH hopes to continue pushing for bills that address rent stabilization, longer notice for significant rent increases, and more Permanent Supportive Housing.

Thank you, and Looking Ahead

None of this would have been possible without the numerous advocates that took action across Washington, including members of the Resident Action Project, CFTH board and staff, partners, and friends. We’d also like to thank Rep. Monica Stonier and Rep. Paul Harris for working together to provide meaningful solutions to homelessness in our community.

These investments are because of everyone’s hard work and are a demonstration of the power of advocacy and organizing. To all of you who participated in this successful legislative session, we say thank you for making your voice heard and continuing to work towards preventing and ending homelessness in our community.

In 2024, CFTH will continue working in conjunction with the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance to improve tenant protections. We will mobilize housing advocates and providers to create laws that help keep people in their homes and make homelessness shorter when it does occur.

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