Signed by Governor Jay Inslee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a state-funded rental assistance program.

Highlights:

• Establishes the eviction prevention rental assistance program within the Department of Housing to prevent evictions by providing resources to households most likely to become homeless or suffer severe health consequences after an eviction (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the department to provide grant assistance to eligible organizations and requires the grant assistance be used for the following, including (Sec. 2):

• Rental assistance;

• Utility assistance; or

• Administrative costs of the eligible organization.

• Specifies that households that meet the following requirements shall be eligible for rental assistance, including (Sec. 2):

• With incomes at or below 80 percent or the county area median income;

• Who are families with children, living in doubled up situations, young adults, senior citizens, and others at risk of homelessness; or

• Meet any other eligibility requirements established by the department.

• Requires that at least 10 percent of the grant total be appropriated to organizations that serve and are substantially governed by marginalized populations to pay for costs associated with program outreach and rental assistance payments (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes eligible grantees to request an exemption from the aforementioned requirements from the department if they are unable to subgrant with an organization that serves and is substantially governed by marginalized populations (Sec. 2).

• Requires that the department provide an update on the states homeless housing strategic plan and its activities to the state legislature by December 1 of each year (Sec. 3).

• Requires that the aforementioned report include the following information over the number of households served (Sec. 3):

• Houses served without minor children;

• Houses served with adults and minor children;

• Houses with unaccompanied youth; and

• Houses with young adults

Full Bill Text