In 1990, the median home value in Washington was $93,200 – about $273,500 in today’s dollars. In 2026, the median home price exceeds $600,000, the fourth highest of any state. In other words, housing prices have more than doubled in real terms over the past 36 years.
The reason is simple: Washington does not have enough housing. In fact, our state ranks last in the nation for housing supply. Decades of policies enacted by legislative Democrats have made it increasingly costly and difficult to build new housing. As long as supply remains constrained, prices will stay elevated.
Despite high prices and limited supply, residential construction permits have fallen to levels not seen since 2013, according to the state’s September revenue forecast.
House Republicans have proposed several solutions to build more homes:
▶️ House Bill 1096 increases housing options through lot splitting (signed into law in 2025).
▶️ House Bill 1164 would require certain cities and counties planning under the Growth Management Act to expand urban growth area boundaries to include specified parcels, subject to exclusions.
▶️ House Bill 1438 would allow architects or engineers to approve housing permits and require cities to approve or deny permits—with cause—within ten days, or the permit would be automatically approved.
▶️ House Bill 1022 would create the Homes for Heroes program, providing down payment assistance to workers in high-demand essential fields such as nurses, police officers, and firefighters.
