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What can we do?

what really adds to the cost of housing?

Olympia Master Builders' mission is to provide housing affordability for all economic segments of society. The housing crisis, along with homelessness, is just now being talked about by Governor Jay Inslee. These issues are something our Association has been aware of for years. It is something we have worked on, shared solutions for, and fought against regulation that flies in the face of it, it is our mission.

Executive Officer

Because it’s been in the news I have recently been asked, "what really adds to the cost of housing?" And, "what can be done to solve the problem?" There are some pretty simple answers and some much more complex ones.

Here are some simple answers:

• Stop making housing expensive. If housing affordability is going to be a priority for the Governor, he needs to get real with the new energy code requirements. Our State is already at the top of the energy code world. The new codes (see graphic) will add roughly $14,150 to a new home. This State needs to prioritize people over energy codes.

• This State needs to fix the growing problem of permit delays. Period. A 6.5-month permit delay adds $31,375 to the price of a new home. The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) worked hard on legislation to help fix the permit timeline problem. At the time of print, this bill is going to the Governor for signature.

• We need to allow for reform to the Growth Management Act (GMA). The GMA limits the location and number of new homes that can be built. At time of print, the Middle Housing Bill was waiting for the House to approve amendments.

• Local jurisdictions need to take a real look at fees and zoning costs. Statewide, just zoning alone, accounts for $71,739 of the cost of a new home according to a BIAW study titled, “The Real Cost of Zoning: The Invisible Tax.”

Homelessness is a much more complex issue, that will take more than adding doors to a community. It will take robust mental health and drug treatment programs that include transitional housing at the appropriate times.

Homeownership is the American dream. And it is still the way to build generational wealth across all segments of society. This State needs to get real about what’s adding to the cost of housing instead of adding barriers to building. For more information turn to pages 7-12.

Table of Contents

Page 4

MESSAGE FROM OUR 2023 OMB PRESIDENT

Page 5

OMB - HIGHLIGHTS & SHOUTOUTS

Page 6

2023 EDUCATION FOUNDATION AUCTION

Page 7-12

COUNTY-BY-COUNTY HOUSING AT-A-GLANCE

Page 12

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE

Page 13

OMB NEW MEMBERS

Page 14-

GOLF TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION

Page 15

OMB RENEWING MEMBERS