WA Government

The state agency charged with developing codes for commercial and residential buildings in Washington says a new law took away its power to update rules protecting homes from the threat of wildfires.

Oct. 18—A beleaguered state official who's faced a swirl of criticism over his leadership at Washington's Department of Children, Youth and Families won't seek reappointment, he announced this week. Ross Hunter, who has served for seven years as secretary of the department that oversees the state's child welfare, juvenile rehabilitation and foster care systems, said as recently as September ...

Housing developers and local governments can now go through a state-led dispute resolution process if a city refuses to permit emergency and temporary housing for people who are homeless.

Washington’s work cleaning up encampments along state highways is helping get unsheltered people into housing.