US EditionWA has a housing crunch. Microsoft President Brad Smith has thoughts
Microsoft urges rezoning, faster permitting, cost reduction, and public-private partnerships to build 55,000 new housing units annually in Washington, addressing a 1.1 million unit gap.
- On Thursday, Microsoft released a housing playbook with four evidence-based proposals urging state and local leaders in Washington to adopt rezoning and use AI to speed permitting.
- Microsoft says Washington faces a 1.1 million-unit shortfall over 20 years, while only about 33,600 units were built last year; its $750 million funding has helped create 16,000 affordable homes.
- Fixing permitting is a top recommendation, with approvals averaging 6.5 months statewide and over 18 months in some cities; Microsoft also urges repurposing empty strip malls and leveraging public-private partnerships to lower costs.
- Brad Smith warned that costly delays are pushing developers to other states, and Microsoft Philanthropies said faster approvals and incentives are needed as money alone won’t close the housing gap.
- Drawing on six years of experience, Microsoft President Brad Smith said the playbook stems from tech companies' lessons and urged urgent action, saying the shortfall should 'inspire us to come together and act with urgency.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Microsoft: WA housing shortage worsening
Microsoft President Brad Smith had a warning about Washington’s housing shortage. “We’re going in the wrong direction. The problem is getting bigger, not smaller,” he said. Smith said Washington needs 55,000 new housing units every year to meet population growth. But last year, only 34,000 permits were issued, he said. RELATED STORIESSeattle mayor issues first two executive orders on homelessness and transitWA bill aims to speed up DUI cases by …
Microsoft Jumps Into Washington Legislature’s Housing Debate
OLYMPIA, WA – Microsoft President Brad Smith leads some of the tech giant’s work in areas ranging from artificial intelligence to cybersecurity to environmental sustainability. Right now, housing issues before the Washington state Legislature are getting his attention. The company is out with a 10-page report with housing priorities it wants to see lawmakers in Olympia tackle this year. Higher taxes to pay for housing programs are not part of th…
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