On December 11, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)-supported Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act. The legislation focuses on reforming federal permitting requirements under the Clean Water Act with the goal of reducing delays and uncertainty that can slow housing and infrastructure projects.

The vote moves the bill to the U.S. Senate, where lawmakers will continue debating how to balance environmental protections with the need to build homes and infrastructure more efficiently.

What the PERMIT Act Does

The PERMIT Act is intended to streamline environmental permitting and reduce regulatory uncertainty that builders and infrastructure providers say contributes to rising costs and project delays. Key provisions of the bill include:

• Clarifying Clean Water Act jurisdiction by redefining “waters of the United States” and codifying exclusions for features such as waste treatment systems, ephemeral streams, and groundwater.

• Extending and improving nationwide permits to provide longer, more predictable authorization timelines.

• Establishing limits on judicial review timelines to reduce prolonged litigation and project delays.

• Addressing backlogs and inefficiencies in the issuance of jurisdictional determinations.

• Restoring a clearer pathway for states to assume control of their own wetlands permitting programs.

Lawmakers also adopted an NAHB-supported amendment on the House floor that would reduce compensatory mitigation costs through targeted, commonsense reforms. The amendment is intended to maintain environmental protections while improving predictability and supporting economic growth.

Supporters argue these reforms will create regulatory certainty, lower development costs, and help accelerate housing and infrastructure production at a time of acute national need.

What Happens Next

With House passage secured, the PERMIT Act now moves to the U.S. Senate, where its future remains uncertain. The legislation is expected to be part of a broader debate over federal permitting reform, infrastructure delivery, and housing affordability. For homebuilders and policymakers focused on reducing costs and delays, the outcome could have meaningful implications for how quickly new housing and infrastructure projects can move from proposal to construction.

For more details, view the NAHB blog or contact Dylan Sluder, State Government Affairs Manager, at MBAKS via 425.451.7920 for additional information.

Contact: data@mbaks.com

November Mortgage Rates Fall to Lowest Level in Over a Year

Mortgage rates continued to trend lower in November, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaging 6.24% — the lowest level in over a year — while the 15-year averaged 5.51%. Rates remain down compared to a year ago, and the month also saw a slight uptick in the 10-year Treasury yield and ongoing market uncertainty reflected in the wider mortgage–Treasury spread.

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On November 19, Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Jennifer Langbehn issued a final decision in a lawsuit challenging Initiative 24-03. The lawsuit was brought by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, together with several of its homebuilder members and other businesses operating in Everett and Snohomish County. The initiative, sponsored by Standing for Nature, was approved by Everett voters in the November 2024 general election. Consequently, the City of Everett was the named defendant in the lawsuit. However, the city agreed with MBAKS that Initiative 24-03 exceeded local initiative powers and “undermines all of the efforts of the City to protect the environment without shutting down all development and industry within the City.”

Judge Langbehn, in her ruling on MBAKS’s motion to declare Initiative 24-03 invalid, agreed with MBAKS and the city. She confirmed that under state law “[t]his initiative’s provisions are directly contrary to the water rights system established by the State and is outside the scope of the City’s authority.” Judge Langbehn therefore concluded that “Plaintiffs are entitled to a declaratory judgment that Initiative 24-03 exceeds the scope of the local initiative power and is therefore invalid.”

This is an important win for housing, the environment, and the community. “As a trade association with members proudly building homes in the City of Everett, we are grateful that the Judge Langbehn affirmed the position we fought for with city officials and local businesses that Initiative 24-03 is invalid,” said Jerry Hall, executive director of MBAKS. “Homebuilding must already adhere to strict local and state regulations that protect our water, air, and land. We know that environmental protection and housing are not competing goals, they depend on each other. The invalidation of Initiative 24-03 allows this existing framework to continue working as intended. We filed suit because it was necessary to protect the public’s best interest and ensure that our shared values of environmental stewardship are upheld as new homes are built and existing homes are remodeled for current residents, newcomers, and future generations.”

Under the laws governing local initiatives, City of Everett officials acted consistently with their obligation to put Initiative 24.03 before voters once the required number of signatures was verified. State law does not permit the city to consider whether the content of Initiative 24-03 complies with local initiative powers when determining ballot eligibility. As a result, the initiative appeared on the November 2024 ballot in Everett. Following the election, MBAKS asked the Snohomish County Superior Court to invalidate the unlawful initiative.  

On Saturday, November 15, more than 50 volunteers came together for Painting a Better Tomorrow, an annual one-day service event hosted by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). This year’s project supported Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County (DVS), the county’s only provider of emergency shelter and comprehensive, confidential services for survivors of domestic abuse.

Together, we made a tremendous impact.

A Fresh Coat for a Critical Community Space

With enthusiasm, teamwork, and a whole lot of paint, volunteers transformed 15,000 square feet of interior space at DVS. Hallways, common areas, offices, and program rooms all received much-needed refreshes—areas that see constant use but are often last in line for updates due to limited budgets and high operational demands.

Painting may seem simple, but for organizations like DVS, it represents hope, safety, and dignity. A bright, clean environment helps create a welcoming space for survivors taking steps toward healing and stability.

Fifty Volunteers, One Shared Mission

What makes Painting a Better Tomorrow special is the spirit of community it brings. MBAKS builder members and community volunteers worked side by side—some attending for the first time, others returning as annual supporters.

Our volunteer Team Leaders opened the morning with tutorials and safety guidance, and crews spread out across the facility to tackle the full project scope. Thanks to their dedication, every room received a fresh, professional finish.

Why This Work Matters

For nonprofits like DVS, painting is often one of the first expenses cut from an operational budget. Yet the condition of a physical space deeply affects the experience of the individuals who rely on it. A fresh coat of paint brings new life and warmth to a building, offering a sense of comfort to those walking through its doors.

By volunteering their time and skill, participants helped create a more uplifting environment for survivors and their families.

Kym Castaneda, Director of Shelter Operations at DVS, shared how meaningful this project is: “It really shows those we serve that there is a community around them that cares, and this is how they show it. This is amazing. You have no idea—this means so much to us.”

Thank You to Our Volunteers and Partners

This event would not be possible without the generosity of our volunteers who show up year after year, and the 67 gallons of donated paint from Sherwin-Williams. Your commitment strengthens our region and ensures essential organizations like DVS feel supported by the broader community.

Looking Ahead

Painting a Better Tomorrow has been an MBAKS tradition since 2003, refreshing hundreds of thousands of square feet for nonprofits across King and Snohomish counties. We’re already looking forward to next year’s project and the continued opportunity to serve local organizations in meaningful, hands-on ways through our community stewardship programs.

Thank you again to everyone who joined us to help paint a brighter, safer tomorrow.

If you’d like to get involved in future volunteer opportunities, please contact stewardship@mbaks.com.com.

Contact: data@mbaks.com

Housing Production Slows Across the Seattle Metro Area

Building activity across the Seattle metro has cooled this year. As of August, 4,390 single-family homes and 4,770 multifamily units have been permitted—representing year-over-year declines of 5% and 26%. In Seattle, 406 single-family and 1,700 multifamily permits have been issued to date.

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On October 24, 2025, more than 80 volunteers braved the rain to plant 64 new trees at Paramount School Park in Shoreline for Planting a Better Tomorrow. In partnership with the City of Shoreline, MBAKS members joined residents and city staff to make a meaningful and lasting environmental impact.

Sowing the Seeds of Change

Despite the downpour, the park was filled with energy, laughter, and teamwork as volunteers dug, planted, and transformed a gray morning into a day of purpose. Their efforts directly support the City of Shoreline’s goal of growing tree canopy coverage to 40% by 2050.

Before the event, Paramount School Park had just 9% canopy coverage, making it one of the most underserved green spaces in the city. Every tree planted improves air quality, increases shade, supports stormwater management, and contributes to a healthier, more resilient community.

Shoreline City Councilmember Betsy Robertson, who joined the effort, shared her enthusiasm:

“I live in this neighborhood and I'm thrilled. This is increasing our tree canopy. It's creating shade in a very, very popular park. It's going to help with water runoff and so many environmental benefits. We just love having partnerships and opportunities like this in our town.”

A Growing Legacy

Since launching Planting a Better Tomorrow in 2024, MBAKS and our partners have planted 139 trees with the help of more than 130 volunteers—essentially one tree for every person who has pitched in. The program was created to help members and community partners make measurable environmental contributions while deepening connections across the region.

MBAKS Executive Director Jerry Hall captured the heart of the program:

“This is about more than planting trees. It’s about planting hope. We believe everybody deserves a place to call home, and no home can be a great home without a great environment.”

Media Spotlight

We’re grateful to KING 5 for joining us onsite to cover the day’s work and highlight the collective effort to grow greener, healthier spaces across our region.

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Looking Ahead

Next up, MBAKS members and volunteers will trade their shovels for paintbrushes at Painting a Better Tomorrow on Saturday, November 15, 2025. This year’s project will support Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County, where volunteers will refresh the facility with a much-needed coat of paint and a renewed sense of hope.

Together, we’re proving that when communities unite—whether to plant, paint, or build—we can create lasting, positive change.

MBAKS hosted our annual Housing Solutions Breakfast on October 14 at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. This year’s program focused on unlocking housing supply and featured Justine Underhill, economist, journalist, filmmaker, and Falls Church, Virgina Council Member, as our keynote speaker.

Justine shared valuable insights on how to use storytelling to convey the benefits of increased housing supply. She also showed examples of her videos explaining why housing at every level helps improve affordability. Visit Justine’s YouTube channel to learn more about her work.

“We’re grateful so many members and public officials could be part of this important conversation on ways we can work together to make home happen,” said MBAKS Government Affairs Director Jennifer Anderson.

As part of the program, MBAKS recognized Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County as our Housing Solutions Community Partner of the Year.

Here are some Housing Solutions resources MBAKS shared at the event:

• MBAKS’s 2026 Legislative Priorities
• MBAKS’s Housing Toolkit

We encourage members to keep the momentum going by attending our monthly Builder Council meetings, following legislative updates on MBAKS Connect, and voting for pro-housing candidates on Election Day November 4.

Your voice matters. By staying engaged, you help amplify our collective efforts to advance housing solutions and make home happen for everyone.

View Housing Solutions Breakfast Photos 

Contact: data@mbaks.com

Permit activity continues to trend downward across the Seattle metro area.

Through July 2025, King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties collectively issued 3,742 single-family permits, a 7% decline compared to the same period in 2024. Multifamily permitting has slowed even more sharply, with 3,758 units permitted year-to-date, a 37% drop from last year. These figures highlight ongoing headwinds in the housing pipeline at a time when demand remains elevated.

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MBAKS members showed up in record numbers for our September 18 General Membership Networking (GMN), making it our largest GMN yet.

The evening was full of connections, conversations, and celebration as we unveiled our brand-new annual print magazine, Blueprints. Guests also got a sneak peek of what’s to come at this year’s end-of-year party.

A big thank you to our sponsors—Italian Custom Cabinets, Pella, and Capital Benefit Services—for making the evening possible.

Don’t miss your chance to join us at the final GMN of 2025 on October 16. Mark your calendars today!

Contact: Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties | pr@mbaks.com

NEW REPORTS SHOW LOCAL POLICIES UNDERMINE HOUSING GOALS

SEATTLE, Wash., August 27, 2025 – The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) released two new reports showing how certain local policies are falling short as an effective affordable housing strategy. The reports provide technical information for local policymakers to support successful implementation of state laws aimed at lowering barriers for construction of more homes of all types.

The first report – Mandatory Affordable Housing Fees Carry Unintended Consequences – finds that such fees disproportionately raise barriers to middle housing projects, often making them financially infeasible and preventing them from being built. It also critiques a report relied upon by many Eastside cities to update and adopt mandatory affordable housing fees.

The second report – How Nexus Studies Misunderstand the Affordable Housing Challenge – highlights a core flaw in the logic underpinning many nexus studies local jurisdictions rely upon to justify imposing mandatory affordable housing fees. This report refutes the assumption that new market-rate housing is the primary driver of the need for affordable housing, in part because this framework ignores the broader supply shortage. It also shows that if newer homes cannot be built, higher-income owners and renters remain in what would historically be lower-cost homes accessible to more people, including first time buyers.

“The reports provide information for policymakers supporting how well-intentioned mandatory affordable housing programs can be counterproductive to achieving more affordable housing,” said Jerry Hall, executive director of MBAKS. “They also illustrate how these programs limit progress on our shared work to ensure everyone has a place to call home. The reports show that we do not address the need for affordable housing by making housing more expensive.”

MBAKS commissioned ECOnorthwest, an independent public policy research firm, to prepare the reports to better inform local dialogue on affordable housing strategies. They are part of a series of reports from MBAKS demonstrating flaws in mandatory affordable housing policies.

MBAKS has also prepared a Legal Memorandum describing the implications of mandatory affordable housing fees under recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions regarding “unconstitutional conditions.” It explains how mandatory programs raise constitutional issues under the rulings requiring a showing of a “nexus” and “rough proportionality.” 

ABOUT MBAKS
The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) is the nation’s oldest and largest local homebuilders association, helping to make home happen since 1909. 

Contact: data@mbaks.com

Builder Confidence Remains Low in August

Builder confidence in the housing market slipped to 32 nationally in August, an 18% decline from last year, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. In the West, sentiment was even weaker, with an HMI reading of 26, underscoring the region’s ongoing affordability and housing challenges. 

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Contact: data@mbaks.com

Puget Sound Population Surge Led by Seattle, King County

As of April 1, 2025, the Puget Sound region reached a population of 4,534,300, growing by 50,400 people over the past year. This growth was led overwhelmingly by King County, which added 33,600 residents—accounting for two-thirds of the region's total increase. Seattle alone contributed nearly 19,000 new residents, surpassing 816,000 and outpacing the combined growth of Snohomish and Pierce counties. While Snohomish (+6,700) and Pierce (+7,300) counties saw steady, modest increases, growth in transit-connected suburbs like Shoreline and Redmond stood out. Kitsap County grew by 2,800, maintaining its trend of stable, moderate expansion. Overall, the region’s growth reflects continued urban and transit-oriented population shifts, even as statewide growth slows compared to previous years.

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Reports Highlight Flaws in Mandatory Affordable Housing Fees

by MBAKS Government Affairs

Two new reports from ECOnorthwest shed light on key shortcomings in inclusionary zoning policies and the nexus studies often used to justify mandatory affordable housing requirements on new market-rate development.

MBAKS commissioned ECOnorthwest, an independent third-party public policy research firm, to prepare these reports in support of more informed local dialogue around affordable housing strategies.

The first report, Mandatory Affordable Housing Fees Carry Unintended Consequences, examines the real-world impacts of imposing affordable housing fees without corresponding incentives. It finds that mandatory affordable housing fees, though well-intentioned, disproportionately affect middle housing projects, often tipping them from risky to infeasible and preventing them from being built altogether. 

The second, How Nexus Studies Misunderstand the Affordable Housing Challenge, highlights a core flaw in the logic underpinning many nexus studies: the assumption that new market-rate housing is the primary driver of demand for affordable housing. The report describes several issues with this assumption, arguing that the framework used to justify mandatory inclusionary requirements misrepresents the true dynamics of housing markets. It does so by ignoring the broader supply shortage and the filtering process through which new housing helps ease pressure on lower-cost homes. By attributing the affordability crisis to new development rather than to structural undersupply, nexus studies risk reinforcing policies that further constrain housing production—ultimately exacerbating the very problem they aim to solve.

The ECOnorthwest reports reinforce the need to continue advancing solutions that increase supply at all levels. MBAKS is committed to being a collaborative partner in addressing the region’s housing shortage so our communities can be more affordable and inclusive for all.

Annual Performance Report Marks Key Milestone for Permit Reform Law

by MBAKS Government Affairs

Report reaffirms the need to improve housing permit timelines so housing can be available more quickly.

The Washington State Department of Commerce has published the first draft Annual Performance Report required by Senate Bill 5290.  The data reflects permits for which a decision was issued in 2024, before the current SB 5290 timelines went into effect. Performance is measured on the average duration it takes to process certain permits by category using calendar days.

The draft report shows where jurisdictions are falling short and reaffirms there is a long way to go to shorten review timelines, enabling housing to proceed more quickly.

Among the initial findings from the report are:

• Construction Permits on average took 81% longer to process than the statute.
• Preliminary Subdivision on average took 199% longer to process than the statute.
• Final Subdivision on average took 184% longer to process than the statute.

The report reinforces the need to reform and streamline the state’s outdated subdivision laws, a top legislative priority for MBAKS. This information is also important for our ongoing work with cities and counties to improve permit timelines. Having transparency in the permit processing data will help us to better identify roadblocks and work with jurisdictions to lower barriers to adding much needed housing.

Seven counties are subject to SB 5290’s annual reporting requirements, including Clark, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom.  

For more information on SB 5290 requirements, visit Commerce’s Local Project Review page

Contact: data@mbaks.com

Builder Confidence Dips as Industry Gauges Market Conditions

Builder confidence continues to falter, with the national Housing Market Index (HMI) falling to 32, a 29% drop year over year. Confidence in the Western U.S. remains especially low, with an HMI of just 22. The HMI, based on a monthly NAHB survey, reflects how builders view current and future conditions in the single-family housing market.

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Contact: data@mbaks.com

Seattle Metro Permit Volume Drops in Q1 2025

New permit data show a 33% decline in permits in the Seattle metro area in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year. While single family permits saw a modest increase in King and Pierce counties through March of this year, they fell 43% in Snohomish County. Multifamily permits were down 46% across our metro area during Q1 2025 compared to last year, with the biggest decline in King County. Pierce County was the only county to see an increase in multifamily permits during the first quarter.

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MBAKS joined Governor Ferguson as he signed HB 1096 into law.

Big news for housing in Washington: Governor Bob Ferguson has signed HB 1096 into law, legalizing residential lot splitting across the state. After three years of advocacy, this landmark reform creates a straightforward, administrative process for homeowners and homebuilders to divide a single lot into two—unlocking small-scale infill, expanding homeownership, and creating new paths to affordability.

For decades, Washington law required homeowners and builders to navigate complex, costly subdivision processes that could take years—even when the existing lot already met zoning and infrastructure standards. HB 1096 finally fixes that, allowing qualifying lots to be split without major red tape, and enabling cities to review building permits alongside lot split applications.

Lot splitting won’t just create more homes—it will also allow aging homeowners to age in place, help families build wealth through multigenerational housing, increase opportunities for supplemental income, and offer first-time buyers access to starter homes in high-opportunity neighborhoods. It complements recent reforms like HB 1110 (middle housing) and supports the Growth Management Act’s goals by enabling gentle infill where it’s needed most.

HB 1096 ensures accountability by requiring clear, objective standards, displacement mitigation, and infrastructure availability before approval. Cities must implement the new policy by 2027 (or within two years for non-GMA jurisdictions), and guidance is expected from the state Department of Commerce later this year.

This is a major step toward restoring affordability and giving everyday Washingtonians more options to stay, build, and invest in their communities—one lot at a time.

View MBAKS Lot Splitting Brief for more information: Creating More Housing Through Lot Splitting.

Contact: data@mbaks.com

Housing Market Shows Modest Inventory Gains Amid Rising Prices and Slowing Construction

Housing inventory in King and Snohomish counties improved slightly in March 2025 but remains below healthy market levels, with King County at 1.9 months' supply and Snohomish County at 1.4. Median home prices continued to rise, reaching $977,500 in King County and $790,000 in Snohomish County for single-family homes. Builder confidence declined sharply, with the national Housing Market Index falling 22% year over year to 40 and the Western regional index at 35. Construction activity also slowed, as single-family and multifamily permits in the Seattle metro area fell 6% and 5% respectively compared to last year, and Washington’s construction employment dropped by over 12,000 jobs.

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