Wash. Rev. Code § 59.28 § 59.28.010
Legislative findings -- Purpose.
Operative Text
The legislature finds that: (1) There is a severe shortage of federally assisted housing within the state of Washington. Over one hundred seventy thousand low and moderate-income households are eligible for federally assisted housing but are unable to locate vacant units. (2) Within the next twenty years, more than twenty-six thousand existing low-income housing units may be lost as a result of the prepayment of mortgages or loans by the owners, or as a result of the expiration of rental assistance contracts. Over three thousand units of federally assisted housing have already been lost and an additional nine thousand units may be lost within the next two and one-half years. (3) Recent reductions in federal housing assistance and tax benefits related to low-income housing make it uncertain whether additional units of federally assisted housing will be built or that those lost will be replaced. (4) The loss of federally assisted housing will adversely affect current tenants and lead to their displacement. It will also drastically reduce the supply of affordable housing in our communities. It is the purpose of this chapter to preserve federally assisted housing in the state of Washington and to minimize the involuntary displacement of tenants currently residing in such housing.
Washington Revised Code § 59.28.010 et seq. opens with the legislature's formal findings about a critical shortage of federally assisted housing in the state. The legislature recognized that tens of thousands of low-income housing units were at risk of being lost through mortgage prepayments or expiring rental-assistance contracts, and that federal funding reductions made replacement unlikely. The stated purpose of the chapter is to preserve federally assisted housing and to limit the involuntary displacement of tenants living in those units.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Owners and managers of federally assisted housing in Washington should be aware that Wash. Rev. Code § 59.28.010 et seq. was enacted specifically to preserve this housing stock and protect current residents from displacement. The legislative findings signal that the chapter's subsequent provisions are designed to impose obligations on property owners who hold federally assisted mortgages or rental-assistance contracts. Operators of such properties generally stay informed about prepayment restrictions, contract-expiration timelines, and notice requirements that flow from this statutory framework.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.28.010 et seq. was enacted in part to protect tenants in federally assisted housing from being involuntarily displaced when owners prepay mortgages or when rental-assistance contracts expire. Tenants living in federally assisted properties may have rights under the provisions that follow this legislative-findings section, including potential notice rights and other protections. Tenants who believe their housing may be affected can explore their options by contacting a local tenant-rights organization or a housing authority familiar with Washington's federally assisted housing rules.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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