OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A bill that would create a Dept. of Housing is making its way through the state Legislature.

HB 2270 would give the new department charge of the state’s housing programs, which are currently handled by the Dept. of Commerce.

Issues related to homelessness, senior housing, and evictions will also be handled by the new department if the bill is signed into law.

All of the state’s Democratic Representatives have signed on as co-sponsors of the bill, which is primarily sponsored by Rep. Melanie Morgan of Spanaway.

Morgan introduced a similar bill in 2022, but it didn’t move beyond a public hearing.

Some Republicans argue that the new department would further delay action on the state’s urgent housing needs.

The Dept of Commerce has said that Washington needs over 1.1 million new homes in the next two decades to keep up with demand.

The latest version of the bill now heads to the House floor for debate.