More than 1K locals sign petition to revise low-barrier housing rules

Published 8:30 am Monday, July 20, 2026

More than 1,000 locals have signed a petition within the last week titled “Keep Mercer Island Safe – Revise Low-Barrier Housing Rules” on the change.org website.

Addressed to members of the 41st District Legislative Delegation, the petition urges the legislators “to revise the laws relating to homeless shelters and low-barrier permanent supportive housing (PSH) in residential neighborhoods and places where children gather. Permanent supportive housing facilities allow drug use, have no employment requirement, and house individuals with mental and behavioral issues, substance-abuse issues, and criminal histories.”

The petition stems from residents’ concerns with the Growth Management Hearings Board’s order for the city to revise its 2024 comprehensive plan by July 31 and the proposed code changes resulting from HB 2266. City council held a first reading of planning commission amendments on July 7 and voted to hold a second reading at its July 21 meeting, which took place after the Reporter’s deadline for this issue.

The Growth Management Act compliance includes the construction of affordable housing and more.

“We understand that people who are unhoused with addiction, mental-health issues, or behavioral issues need housing, treatment, and support. But residential neighborhoods near homes, schools, parks, playgrounds, or daycares are not the right places to meet those needs,” the Matt Augustine-started petition reads.

The petition adds, in part: “Safety is one of the main reasons families choose Mercer Island to raise their children and seniors choose Mercer Island to retire. We have a thriving Town Center with parks and local businesses, where children, seniors, and other vulnerable residents can walk, bike, enjoy parks, and move around the community with a level of safety that is increasingly rare. The proposed code changes resulting from HB 2266 would put that at risk.”

The Reporter contacted the media representatives for LD 41’s Sen. Lisa Wellman, Rep. Janice Zahn and Rep. My-Linh Thai, and received statements from Wellman and Zahn.

Rep. Zahn said this policy area is incredibly hard and complicated.

“I am listening and gathering information to understand the concerns for the Mercer Island community. I appreciate their engagement and outreach. Collaboration and partnering locally and regionally will be essential to safely address our housing crisis, together,” Zahn said.

Sen. Wellman has resided on Mercer Island for 26 years and said she is intimately aware of the needs and struggles of this unique location.

“To combat the housing crisis we face, we must make it easier to build all kinds of housing and shelters — that includes permanent supportive housing in communities both large and small. I supported this bill because it makes certain that every community in Washington is doing its part to urgently build the housing necessary to ensure everyone in our state has a place to call home. This is a proven, cost-effective solution to ending homelessness because it pairs housing with wraparound support that helps people become stable and housed. That is essential for keeping our communities safe and getting our fellow Washingtonians sheltered and connected to life-saving services,” Sen. Wellman said.

For more information on HB 2266 and the amendment that Sen. Wellman sponsored and Senate ultimately adopted before voting to pass it, visit https://tinyurl.com/5eeef45m. Sen. Wellman said she sponsored the amendment because, “We know one-size-fits-all solutions do not work for every community.”

She added: “But there is more we must do to ensure this legislation works for our district. While only a few miles away from the state’s largest metropolis, Mercer Island faces the challenge of having available land for permanent supportive housing that also meets reasonable standards for youth safety. I hear the concerns raised in this petition, and I am committed to supporting reasonable adjustments to this legislation next session.”

The Reporter also reached out to the city regarding the petition, and the city said it didn’t have a comment.

As reported last issue, Mayor David Rosenbaum noted at the July 7 meeting that the city has worked extensively with the state legislature on housing issues for years and he encourages residents to contact their representatives and him with concerns.

“I think we presented arguments to the state legislature that were further in depth than a lot of other cities, a lot of other organizations. We did our homework and we made the case and we are now, I think, duty bound to follow the laws as presented to us,” the mayor said.

To view the petition, visit: https://c.org/THwXKr6j8Z