(The Center Square) – One solution to the severe housing shortage could be letting homeowners build detached accessory dwelling units, referred to as ADUs, on their property in rural areas.

House Bill 2126, sponsored by Rep. Sam Low, R-Lake Stevens, would do just that.

“It’s really meant to help people keep families together, like if you have an adult child unable to afford their own place, having a detached ADU, they could live on the property,” Low said of the bill, which is getting bipartisan support. “I’ve also been hearing about the need for families with aging parents, they could still be independent, but close enough in case there is a medical need or some other emergency.”

According to the Washington State Department of Commerce, the state faces a staggering deficit of 1.1 million homes by 2044. Low told The Center Square his bill would help ensure that projection doesn’t become a reality.

“A family could meet with the county, get a permit and be able to put in a smaller home, using the same driveway, using an already approved water source, and the same septic tank, then family can stay together,” he said.

And it’s not a mandate by any stretch, according the Low.

“This bill gives counties the authority to do it, if they choose, but they don’t have to do it,” he said.

He went on to say, “It’s really about giving more tools to our local jurisdictions outside of urban growth areas.”

This a challenge that needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later, Low explained.

“This is part of solving a crisis that has only grown more dire, especially in rural communities where traditional development options are often limited,” he noted.

Interest in ADUs, whether they are attached or detached from the primary residence, has grown exponentially in recent years in response to housing shortages and lack of affordability.

ADUs in Washington are generally subject to a combination of state and local regulations. The goal being to strike a balance between the need for housing while also addressing concerns related to neighborhood character and infrastructure.

Spokane passed its own short-term rental measure in January 2023. Concerns about compliance issues led to warning letters being issued to potential violators back in November. Those notices offered a 30-day grace period to voluntarily meet municipal code requirements.

In addition to creating affordable options for those who need them most, Low also believes the impact of his legislation would extend beyond housing, with ADUs attracting more young professionals, families and seniors to rural areas, breathing new life into communities.

“My bill is not going to solve the housing crisis that we’re up against, but this is another tool to help with housing, and people who use this housing, will free up other housing,” he said.

HB 2126 is cosponsored by Rep. Strom Peterson, D-Edmonds, and is set for a public hearing on Tuesday in the House Housing Committee.