RHAWA Members: Take the State Housing Task Force Survey

RHAWA Members: Please Take the State Department of Housing Task Force Survey

Washington State is considering how to structure a new Department of Housing, and this is an important opportunity for rental housing providers to be heard. In December 2025, Governor Bob Ferguson signed Executive Order 25-12 creating a task force to develop recommendations for a new cabinet-level housing agency, and that task force is expected to submit its report to the Governor and Legislature by November 15, 2026. The Department of Commerce is now asking for public input through its State Department of Housing Task Force Survey.

The survey is estimated to take about 15 minutes. According to the survey and Commerce’s task force page, responses will help inform recommendations on the mission, structure, programs, and goals of a possible new Department of Housing. Commerce says the survey is open to public input and asks participants to respond before 11:59 p.m. on April 26.

For RHAWA members, this matters.

If the state is going to create a Department of Housing, rental housing providers need to speak for themselves. Housing policy affects whether providers can operate lawfully, maintain safe housing, respond to nonpayment, navigate eviction procedures, comply with changing regulations, manage risk, and continue supplying homes in communities across Washington. The people making these decisions need to hear directly from those who provide and operate housing every day.

The survey path shown for private landlords and property managers asks about real-world issues such as operating costs, maintenance and repair costs, tenant rent delinquency, legal and regulatory complexity, property damage risk, financing challenges, agency interaction, and what kinds of support or resources would actually be helpful. That makes this a meaningful chance to provide practical feedback grounded in actual experience.

RHAWA encourages members to fill out the survey truthfully and in their own words.

Of course, RHAWA continues to advocate for clear and consistent statewide rules, meaningful eviction reform, tenant safety, protection of property rights, and the ability of housing providers to earn a living while delivering an essential service to our communities. But this survey should reflect your experience. The strongest response is an honest one. If you are a rental housing provider, property manager, owner, or housing professional, please take a few minutes to complete the survey and make sure the voice of the private housing industry is part of the record.

Take the survey here: State Department of Housing Task Force Survey. 

A few practical suggestions:

• Answer from your own experience.
• Be specific about what helps and what creates barriers.
• Explain how inconsistent or overly complex rules affect operations, costs, safety, housing stability, and housing supply.
• If you have dealt with state or local agencies, describe what worked and what needs improvement.
• Keep your comments professional, factual, and clear.

This is an excellent opportunity to provide meaningful feedback. RHAWA strongly encourages members across the state to participate.