The Puget Sound region's population grew by 46,800 to reach 4,483,900 residents by April 2024, with King County leading the growth at 30,300 new residents, intensifying the need for expanded housing options.

Twenty members of the MBAKS Board of Directors and staff leadership team convened late last week for a two-day retreat at the beautiful Salish Lodge & Spa near Snoqualmie Falls.

MBAKS' Housing Solutions Breakfast on October 17 gathered 140 attendees, including over 35 public officials, to discuss successful middle housing implementation and strengthen partnerships between industry stakeholders. The event featured key presentations from Morgan Shook of ECONorthwest, who shared lessons from Oregon's middle housing efforts, emphasizing the importance of graduated floor area ratios and cautious regulation of infrastructure improvements. The program included perspectives from local leaders including Redmond Mayor Angela Birney and AARP of Washington's Advocacy Director, along with practical insights on implementing House Bill 1110 at the local level.

In September 2024, Washington's unemployment rate stood at 4.8%, with the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett area slightly lower at 4.4%.

Median housing prices in King and Snohomish counties are increasing by 5-7%.