WA SB5885

Cities and counties must allow increased density bonuses for affordable housing developments on property owned or controlled by religious organizations, changing from permissive ("may") to mandatory ("must") when a religious organization requests one

Lowers the affordability threshold from 100% to 20% of units that must be set aside for low-income households (those at or below 80% of area median income) to qualify for the density bonus

Affordable housing units must remain restricted for at least 50 years through a lease or binding obligation, even if the religious organization sells the property

Monthly housing costs including utilities (excluding telephone) cannot exceed 30% of the household's monthly income for units to qualify as affordable

Expands the definition of "owner" under the tax deferral program (RCW 82.59) to include entities leasing property from religious organizations for housing development purposes