Washington

Summary

Washington state is facing an acute affordable housing crisis. For every 100 low-income renter households, there are 58 units available that are affordable to them. The median rent in the state has risen by 69% since 2010, while median household incomes have grown by 58%. Currently, the state is short over 110,425 low-income housing units, meaning rental units that are affordable to households earning ≤60% of AMI.

36.4%
share of renter households

40.0%
share of low-income households

45.7%
share of rent-burdened households

Renter population data

Renters vs homeowners

Low-income renter households
Renter households by income group

Rent-burdened households
Share of income spent on rent

Affordable housing shortage

Median household income

Median rent

Affordable housing stock

Finance institutions

Washington State Housing Finance Commission

1000 2nd Avenue, Suite 2700
Seattle, WA 98104-1002

LIST OF loan programs

• 9% Housing Tax Credit
• Bond/Tax Credit Program (4% TC)
• 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Housing
• 80/20 Housing Bonds
• Land Acquisition Program

QAP document (Qualified Allocation Plan)

QAP

Washington

The QAP is a document that states, and a few local agencies, must develop in order to distribute federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs), which can be awarded only to a building that fits the QAP’s priorities and criteria. Each QAP must spell out a housing finance agency’s (HFA’s) priorities and specify the criteria it will use to select projects competing for tax credits. The priorities must be appropriate to local conditions.

Housing news

How Fed Rate Cuts Impact the Housing Market
Fast Company — September 19, 2024

The Federal Reserve’s recent rate cuts will influence the housing market, but the effects won't be immediate. Although lower rates make borrowing more affordable, the ongoing housing shortage and existing conditions in the market remain tough obstacles.

Key Takeaways:

• Lower Mortgage Rates: Fed rate cuts have already reduced the average 30-year mortgage rate, which dropped from a peak of 7.79% in late 2023 to around 6.2%. This could ease the burden for homebuyers and those refinancing.
• Home Sales: As rates decline, more homeowners might be encouraged to sell, which could help alleviate some of the housing market’s stagnation. However, a full recovery of the resale market is expected to be gradual.
• Ongoing Supply Issues: Despite lower rates, housing supply shortages will persist, especially in high-demand areas. Supply constraints, driven by zoning restrictions and labor/material shortages, remain a barrier to affordability.

While the Fed’s actions are a positive step toward stabilizing the housing market, broader structural challenges—particularly the lack of new housing supply—will continue to affect the market.

Housing market won’t come ‘unstuck’ until 2026, economists predict — here’s why
New York Post — June 26, 2024

Bank of America economists predict the US housing market won't recover until at least 2026, with home affordability improving only with a recession. They attribute the prolonged downturn to a surge in demand during the pandemic, followed by high inflation and mortgage rates. Home prices are expected to rise by 4.5% in 2024 and 5% in 2025, then stabilize in 2026.

States With the Largest Homeless Populations
US News — May 15, 2024

In 2023, the number of homeless individuals in the U.S. reached approximately 653,000, the highest since such records began in 2007.

1. California (181,399)
2. New York (103,200)
3. Florida (30,756)
4. Washington (28,036)
5. Texas (27,377)
6. Oregon (20,142)
7. Massachusetts (19,141)
8. Colorado (14,439)
9. Arizona (14,237)
10. Pennsylvania (12,556)

The homebuying affordability gap is widening across the country, creating 'an impossible market'
NBC News — June 11, 2024

The worsening housing affordability crisis in the U.S. has broken several records, the recent being the national affordability gap nearing a 10-year high. Only 63% of counties are now affordable for median-income households, compared to 94% in 2019. The median home price exceeds what the average household can afford by nearly $70,000.

Homelessness, already at a record high last year, appears to be worsening among workers
The Washington Post — July 15, 2024

Homelessness is rising in the US, with a growing number of employed people now unable to afford housing due to high rents. Rising costs and a lack of affordable housing options are forcing people to sleep in cars, motels or even public spaces.

Shortage statistics for ELI & VLI renters

List of counties