The GMS Mediation Services program offered by Growth Management Services provides support for resolving disputes that arise during planning. Mediation Services provides three main categories for dispute resolution, including government to government disputes, tribal disputes with local governments, and disputes regarding the siting of supportive housing and emergency housing facilities at the local level.
Commerce has contracted with and will maintain a pool of mediation consultants. To access our Mediation Services, we require a quick Intake Form for each of the three categories to ensure appropriateness:
RCW 36.70A.190(5) directs Commerce to provide “mediation services to resolve disputes between counties and cities regarding, among other things, coordination of regional issues and designation of urban growth areas.”
For mediation services within this category, please fill out the GMS Mediation Request Intake Form, or contact Valerie Smith, Deputy Managing Director at 360-725-3062 or Valerie.Smith@commerce.wa.gov.
In 2024, the Legislature set aside funds to support dispute resolution between local governments and service providers attempting to site shelters, transitional housing, emergency housing and permanent supportive housing (STEP).
Commerce has hired a dispute resolution contractor to mediate STEP siting and permitting disputes. Please see the Housing Dispute Resolution Plan for details, including when dispute resolution is available, who can request dispute resolution, and the process for requesting dispute resolution.
For questions, please contract Laura Hodgson, Housing Planning and Data Manager at 360-764-3143 or HousingResolutionGMS@commerce.wa.gov.
RCW 36.70A.190(6) directs Commerce to facilitate the timely resolution of disputes between a federally recognized Indian tribe and a city or county.
Tribes may request Commerce provide facilitation services to resolve issues of concern with a proposed comprehensive plan and its development regulations, or any amendment thereof.
For mediation services in this category, please fill out our Tribal Planning Intake Form, or contact Bridget Ray, Tribal Planning Liaison at 360-725-2735 or Bridget.Ray@commerce.wa.gov.
Other resources
The Community Safety Unit also provides a Dispute Resolution Program offering services supporting housing stability, family stability, and youth and community restorative practices focusing on equity.