Advocating for Housing Needs in WA

During the 2025 legislative session, SWACH, along with our partners, participated in meaningful policy advocacy work to address topics impacting our communities. This is part one of a four part series highlighting the policy areas we focused on, and the activities leveraged to advocate for them.

Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health (SWACH) is dedicated to the pursuit of health equity, and strives to address the barriers to wellbeing through collaboration, innovation, and community partnerships. Policy advocacy work plays a critical role in advancing health equity, and is a core component of SWACH’s work. Effective policy advocacy strategies are essential to achieve health equity and empower communities in Southwest Washington. By leveraging our resources and collective voice, we can help each community access the resources needed for physical, behavioral, economic, and social wellness. Every year, SWACH staff work with community members to identify the most impactful priorities for their communities, and align SWACH’s advocacy strategy to those needs. While gathering data, four policy areas consistently presented themselves: Housing, Behavioral/Mental Health (including SUD), Access, and Native and Tribal Affairs.

Policy Connection: Why housing bills matter

Housing is a ubiquitous priority across all three counties in southwest Washington. This region (and state) faces a severe shortage of affordable homes, rapidly rising costs, and a direct link between housing instability and poor health outcomes. Lack of affordable, stable housing is a root cause of health disparities. Social determinants like housing account for 60% of health outcomes in the region, directly impacting community well-being. One of the most impactful policies that passed this session is House Bill 1217, a comprehensive measure aimed at improving housing stability for tenants in Washington State.

What’s in the bill?

• Capping Rent Increases: Limits annual rent increases for residential tenants to 7%, and for manufactured homeowners to 5% per year.

• Advance Notice: Limits annual rent increases for residential tenants to 7%, and for manufactured homeowners to 5% per year.

• Tenant Protections: Allows tenants to terminate leases without penalty if rent increases exceed 7%.

• Limits on Fees: Caps late fees at 1.5% of monthly rent and restricts move-in costs to one month’s rent.

• Lease Parity: Prohibits charging different rents for month-to-month versus term leases.

• Landlord Resource Center: Establishes a resource center to support landlords and tenants.

• Attorney General Oversight: Provides for enforcement by the state Attorney General.

• Exemptions: New buildings are exempt from rent caps for 15 years to encourage new housing development.

The bill is designed to provide renters, especially vulnerable groups like seniors, single parents, and veterans, with greater predictability and stability, helping them avoid displacement and financial hardship due to excessive rent hikes. This bill became effective in May 2025.

SWACH also advocated for fully funding homelessness services, the increase of affordable housing, and protecting the rights of those who are unhoused.

How Did SWACH Show Up? Our Approach and Impact

SWACH mobilized community health workers and advocates, empowering them to drive change from within their own communities. We ensured that community voices were at the center of every meeting, rally, and communication.

We organized with local community partners to strategically approach the legislative session most effectively. Housing and Homeless Advocacy Day, hosted by Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, had over 750 people in attendance. SWACH and Fourth Plain Forward filled two buses with 93 advocates and headed to the capitol to advocate, rally on the steps of the legislative building, and testify to legislators about bills and initiatives regarding housing that would affect their communities.

During the time between advocacy days, SWACH built and cultivated work with organizations leading the charge, such as Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, Council for the Homeless, Tenants Union, and more. We also leveraged strategic partnerships to amplify our collective impact and reach by attending several town halls, forums, and advocacy events. We worked with sixteen existing partners and gained three new partnerships.

Interested in learning more? Download our Housing Policy Advocacy one pager or join our advocacy email list.