Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Capital Budget Committee
HB 2097
Brief Description: Changing the definition of first-time home buyer.
Sponsors: Representatives Donaghy, Ryu, Macri, Ramel, Walen, Paul, Frame and Taylor.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Changes the definition of first-time home buyer for the Housing Trust Fund program.
Hearing Date: 2/1/22
Staff: Kelci Karl-Robinson (786-7116).
Background:

Established in 1986, the Washington Housing Trust Fund (HTF) program provides grants or loans to help communities develop and preserve affordable housing to meet the needs of low-income and special needs populations.  Since 1986, the HTF has awarded over $1 billion in funding and helped build or preserve over 50,000 units of affordable housing statewide. 


The definition of "first-time home buyer" in the statute governing the HTF program is an individual or his or her spouse or domestic partner who has not owned a home during the prior three-year period.  The 2021-23 biennial capital budget includes an expanded definition for "first-time home buyer" for the HTF appropriation to include an individual who meets any of the following:

  • a single parent who has only owned a home with a former spouse while married;
  • an individual who is a displaced homemaker and has only owned a home with a spouse;
  • an individual who has only owned a principal residence not permanently affixed to a permanent foundation; and
  • an individual who has only owned a property that is discerned to be uninhabitable by a licensed building inspector.
Summary of Bill:

The expanded definition of "first-time home buyer" governing the HTF in the 2021-23 biennial capital budget is codified into ongoing statutory law.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.