Residential Construction Should be Considered An Essential Activity in washington

We are very thankful to Governor Inslee and his staff for providing invaluable leadership during this unprecedented time. We appreciate the challenges he has taken on to make difficult and quick decisions to ensure our safety. Be that as it may, the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic and the Governor’s “Stay at Home” order has caused many businesses to have a significant financial and progressional setback. Residential Construction has taken a large hit due to it being considered a non-essential activity.

Given this challenge, the leadership of the Spokane Home Builders Association has asked the Governor to reconsider his policy stating that “construction is not considered an essential activity” and therefore not authorized to continue working under the Stay Home, Stay Healthy Proclamation (20-25). Our members have always been dedicated to continuing their education when it comes to safety on the jobsite, and they will take any newly learned precautions to keep their employees and others safe during this time. They are taking this crisis seriously and understand that proper measures must be taken in regards to social distancing.

Most of our members are small businesses and the impact of them not being able to continue working at the moment is significant, but we are also worried about the families that are caught in this situation being left to wonder if they will have a home. Many families, when purchasing new construction, sell their current home at the same time under the impression that their new home will be done in time. With residential construction not being able to continue these families are now having to scramble and find somewhere to stay because they won’t be able to remain in their previous home and their new construction will not be done.

We are respectfully asking the Governor to reconsider his stance and designate home construction as an essential activity.  By following proper distancing and sanitation protocols on our jobsites the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus is significantly less than many other essential businesses. Doing so will allow our members to finish the homes under construction and continue working to address the severe housing shortages facing our community.