HB 2266 will remove local control and allow drug-filled housing projects into your neighborhood

Warning – Seattle style emergency housing projects could be coming to your community if HB 2266 passes the legislature.

Progressive special interest groups are hoping to sneak through last-minute legislation that will allow Seattle’s public housing organizations to ignore local zoning restrictions to operate drug-filled emergency housing facilities anywhere in the state.

The Discovery Institute’s Marsha Michaelis warns that if HB 2266 becomes law it will ”actually override local ordinances and zoning laws. It will force cities and counties to allow public housing projects and emergency shelter in any residential zone.” Thus, those who operate Seattle’s very dangerous housing projects can now operate a similar drug-filled shelters right in the middle of your neighborhood, and there will be no local ability to stop it.

Not only will this bill remove local control over homelessness projects in every Washington city and county, it enables the failed Housing First housing policies which have increased the homeless population by nearly 70% in the past decade.

While Housing First does provide a few homeless people with shelter, often the conditions are actually worse than living in an encampment, with nearly all residents active in their addiction and brutal violence a daily occurrence.

The bill passed the House on strict party votes and now sits in the Senate Rules Committee (after passing the Senate’s Housing Committee). If the measure passes the Rules Committee, it will go to the Senate Floor for final vote.

Please watch this longer video explanation and contact your Senator. Don’t let Seattle special interest groups determine whether a large homelessness facility is placed in your city or even on your street.