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Bill

SB 5725

Expanding affordable housing opportunities on community and technical college lands.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bob Hasegawa and 3 co-sponsors

SB 5725 authorizes Washington community colleges to develop affordable housing on campus and nearby lands to increase housing supply and generate institutional revenue.

Referred to Ways & Means.
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Bill Summary · SB 5725

Legislative bill overview

SB 5725 authorizes Washington's community and technical colleges to develop affordable housing on their campuses and nearby lands. The bill aims to leverage underutilized college properties to address housing shortages while potentially generating revenue for institutions. It represents a policy shift toward using public educational infrastructure for dual purposes: student/faculty housing and community affordability.

Why is this important

Washington faces significant affordable housing shortages, and community colleges control substantial real estate in both urban and rural areas. Allowing colleges to develop housing could increase affordable units while potentially offsetting institutional budget pressures. However, this diverts college resources from core educational missions and raises questions about land use priorities for public institutions.

Potential points of contention

  • Mission creep: Whether community colleges should act as housing developers rather than focusing on education and workforce training
  • Financial risk: Whether colleges have adequate expertise and capital to manage housing development without jeopardizing their primary operations
  • Land use concerns: Questions about whether valuable college property should prioritize student/faculty housing over academic expansion, community services, or green space
  • Accountability: Who bears financial risk if housing projects underperform, and whether public funds intended for education are being redirected
  • Equity in access: Whether housing built on college land serves broader community needs or primarily benefits college-affiliated individuals

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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