HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2922
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Local Government & Housing
Title: An act relating to providing housing assistance for certain veterans through the housing trust fund.
Brief Description: Providing housing assistance for certain veterans through the housing trust fund.
Sponsors: Representatives McCune, Campbell, Rolfes and Roach.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Local Government & Housing: 1/27/10, 2/1/10 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT & HOUSING |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Simpson, Chair; Nelson, Vice Chair; Angel, Ranking Minority Member; Fagan, Miloscia, Short, Springer, Upthegrove, White and Williams.
Staff: Becca Kenna-Schenk (786-7291) and Ethan Moreno (786-7386).
Background:
Housing Trust Fund.
The Housing Trust Fund (Fund) includes revenues from legislative appropriations, private contributions, repayment of loans, and other sources. For the 2009-2011 biennium, the Fund received $90 million from the state Capital Budget, as well as $10 million in revenue from the repayment of loans. The Fund provides grant or loan assistance for low-income housing projects to local governments and housing authorities, regional support networks, Indian tribes, and certain nonprofit organizations. Activities that are eligible Fund monies include: (1) new construction and rehabilitation; (2) rent subsidies; (3) housing related social services; (4) shelters; (5) acquisition of low-income housing units; and (6) down payment assistance. The Fund is administered by the Department of Commerce.
Current law specifies that monies from the Fund must finance projects that will provide housing for individuals and families with:
special needs; or
incomes at or below 50 percent of the median family income for the county or standard metropolitan statistical area where the project is located.
In addition, at least 30 percent of Fund monies awarded in a funding cycle must go to projects located in rural areas of the state, unless the Department of Commerce has not received an adequate number of applications for rural projects.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Summary of Bill:
The eligibility criteria for Fund monies is expanded to include projects that provide housing for veterans of the United States Armed Forces with 50 percent service-connected disability.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect July 1, 2010.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) There are 670,000 U.S. veterans in Washington. Of these, there are over 200,000 veterans who served in Vietnam, and there are currently approximately 60,000 troops who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan. In addition, there are over 80,500 homeless veterans. Many veterans become severely disabled while serving our country, and, at the very least, they deserve to have a safe place to sleep. This bill will help many of these individuals and their families.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative McCune, prime sponsor; and Joe Ingram, Vets Edge.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.