By MBAKS Senior Policy Analyst Allison Butcher

The Office of Financial Management’s (OFM) annual population projections have been released, showing strong continued growth in Washington. The 2020 estimates indicate Washington’s population grew to more than 7.6 million people as of April 1. The Puget Sound region’s population, including King, Snohomish, Pierce, and Kitsap counties, grew by more than 60,800. According to OFM, most of the population change occurred before the COVID-19 crisis.

The Builder's Bulletin is intended to provide a convenient way to track housing in our market and includes information from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, State of the Cities Data Systems, Office of Financial Management, and the Washington State Employment Security Department.

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Washington state and the Puget Sound region are experiencing a significant housing supply shortage. The latest numbers from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service show that we have less than a two-week supply of homes for sale in King and Snohomish counties. For perspective, many industry analysts consider a four-to-six-month supply as an indicator of a healthy market.

The Puget Sound Regional Council has said in their Housing Needs Assessment that our four-county Puget Sound region needs 800,000 new homes by 2050 to meet the future need. For King County alone, the Regional Affordability Task Force has reported a total of 244,000 net new homes are needed by 2040 to meet demand. At this point we are already starting several hundreds of thousands of homes behind.

Why does this matter?
Limited housing supply increases the costs of homes, which makes becoming a homeowner out of reach for more community members.

According to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service January data, the median price for single-family homes in King County rose 9.46%, from $740,000 a year ago to $810,000. In Snohomish County, the median price rose 22.06%, from $573,495 to $700,000.

What created this housing supply shortage?
There are several factors that contribute to the housing supply shortage in our region and hinders our industry’s ability to add more affordable housing choices. These factors include:

• Inflation driving up the costs of building materials 

• Limited land supply on which to build

• Local development regulations not aligned with meeting the urgent need for more housing

• Permit delays

• Persistent labor shortages making is challenging to keep projects on schedule

• Supply chain disruptions

Additionally, King County is experiencing a shortage of concrete due to a nearly three-month long strike across numerous local concrete companies. Most American home foundations are concrete, along with other integral outdoor features such as pathways, stairs, and sidewalks. The inability to get concrete to builders’ jobsites is inhibiting their ability to meet the demand for additional housing.

Where does MBAKS fit into this?
Driven by our mission, MBAKS is committed to ensuring all people can attain housing. One way we do this is through our advocacy work. Our government affairs team is dedicated to making sure our members have a voice in policy and regulatory debates that directly impact the housing industry. Only through our direct participation in this dialogue can we hope to create a better climate for housing.

Contact:
Stephanie Giralmo, Public Relations & Media Manager
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
p 425.457.7067

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MBAKS Establishes Two NAHB Student Chapters as Part of Their Emerging Professionals Initiative

BELLEVUE, Wash., October 31, 2022—The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) announced today the official establishment of two NAHB Student Chapters in partnership with Edmonds College Construction Management and Seattle College Wood Technology Center. MBAKS will be the first local home building association in Washington state to have active NAHB Student Chapters in 2022.

As part of the Emerging Professionals program, these student chapters will allow participants to become student members of MBAKS, which, in addition to other benefits, provides complimentary access to events and networking opportunities with local building professionals. This program will bring awareness to field-based education, training opportunities and address the urgent need for qualified trade professionals in our industry.

“These NAHB Student Chapters are integral, vital parts of our comprehensive, ground-breaking Emerging Professionals initiative,” said Colby Goodman, MBAKS Director of Membership and Councils. “Additionally, they serve as a testament to the commitment by MBAKS to a meaningful workforce development strategy and the future of the homebuilding trades.”

MBAKS is an active, contributing partner to the BIAW Workforce Development Task Force and is a pioneer, along with other Washington local home building associations, in addressing the need to foster talent for the future of the building industry. Currently, MBAKS has plans to establish two more NAHB Student Chapters with Sno-Isle TECH and Lake Washington Institute of Technology, with the expectation of formalization of those chapters by years’ end.

About MBAKS

Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) is the nation’s oldest and largest local homebuilders’ association. Like our founders, our members continue to take a leading role in all facets of homebuilding and support the planning for a growing region. From new technology to advances in sustainability, from collaborative public policy efforts to investing in our communities, our commitment to a thriving, inclusive and well-planned region never wavers. We are the professional homebuilders, architects, remodelers, tradespeople (carpenters, framers, roofers, plumbers, electricians), planners and engineers, suppliers, manufacturers, and sales and marketing professionals in your community who believe everyone deserves access to a healthy and productive place to call home.

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