The City of Burien is updating our housing regulations to better address housing types for those who are experiencing or are at risk of experiencing homelessness.
A number of these facilities already exist in the city, and some have been here for decades. Due to recent changes in state law, the city is required to update the Burien Municipal Code to expand housing types and ensure there is adequate capacity to accommodate the City’s share of need by 2044.
“STEP” housing stands for emergency shelters, transitional housing, emergency housing, and permanent supportive housing.
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Planning Commission to Host Public Hearing on STEP Housing
The proposed STEP Housing code amendments will be presented on October 23 Planning Commission meetin…
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Background Information
The STEP Housing Code amendments will:
- Comply with the State’s Growth Management Act and regional planning requirements.
- Define and regulate new housing types in the Burien Municipal Code designed to meet the needs of those experiencing or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.
- Provide sufficient capacity to accommodate 759 Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) units and 1,433 emergency beds by 2044.
Washington State passed House Bill 1220 (HB 1220) in 2021, amending the Growth Management Act and municipal code requirements (RCW 36.70A.070(2), RCW 35A.21.430 and RCW 35.21.683). The law requires local governments to plan for and accommodate housing affordable to all income levels by 2044. For more information and resources, the Washington State Department of Commerce has prepared the following STEP Housing informational handouts.
The City of Burien’s projected housing needs for 2019-2044 as ratified by the King County Countywide Planning Policies is 7,500 total net new housing units. These housing units are broken down by affordability level. As illustrated in the bar graph below, Burien needs 1,433 emergency beds and 759 units of permanent supportive housing units by 2044.
The amendments to the Burien Municipal Code will address four new housing types. These housing types include indoor emergency shelter, transitional housing, emergency housing, and permanent supportive housing, which together are commonly referred to as STEP Housing. Emergency shelter and emergency housing are required to be allowed in areas where hotels or motels are permitted, and permanent supportive housing and transitional housing must be allowed in any zones where residential dwellings and hotels are allowed.
Compliance with HB 1220 is not just a legal obligation—it’s an opportunity to address a gap in housing types necessary to create a safer and more supportive environment for those experiencing homelessness. While the City must meet state requirements, we are also exploring additional housing solutions that best serve our community and are interested in your ideas.
Project Timeline
Last Updated: July 10, 2025