How the Growth Management Act affects housing prices

July 31, 2024

Over the last 30 years since the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA) passed, Washington’s population has grown by 60%. Yet we’ve only increased the number of available housing units by 33%.

The Washington Department of Commerce says the state needs 1.1 million new homes in the next 20 years. At the same time, the number of housing permits granted continue to lag. Many consider GMA a major part of this problem.

Passed in 1990, the Growth Management Act, GMA, requires the state’s fastest-growing cities and counties to develop comprehensive plans and regulations to manage future growth. Local homebuilding associations across Washington, and BIAW’s advocacy team, are all contributing expertise to these planning efforts to help ensure Washington has enough new homes and housing units to meet the state’s growing population.

Learn more about how the Growth Management Act works and how it affects housing prices in Washington.