Housing affordability has become a significant challenge for individuals and families in most counties in the state. The 2015 Housing Needs Assessment found that nearly one million households are paying more than 30 percent of their income toward housing costs.2 In the calendar year 2016, home prices statewide increased 11 percent to a median of $316,200, and rents climbed over 7 percent to an average $1,708. 3 The Affordable Housing Advisory Board (AHAB) focused on specific policies and programs to address these challenges, including the creation of a Legislative Policy Committee. This committee is specifically working on issues related to affordability to inform AHAB’s 2017 agenda – the committee’s most extensive ever. Homelessness is increasing in Washington state, and the increases correlate to rising rents.4 In response, AHAB had the first joint meeting with the State Advisory Council on Homelessness and the Interagency Council on Homelessness to identify joint areas of concern. AHAB also published joint funding recommendations for the Governor’s budget, which are included in the 2017 Policy Priorities section on pages five and six. AHAB met five times in 2016 and is on track