FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 932

                                  C 264 L 88

BYHouse Committee on Housing (originally sponsored by Representatives Nutley, Padden, Leonard, Ebersole, Sanders, J. Williams, Lewis, Doty, Nealey, L. Smith, Brough,  Winsley, Wineberry, Silver, Ballard, Betrozoff, Taylor, Miller and D. Sommers) 

Relating to rental payments to landlords from public assistance.

House Committe on Housing

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Social and Health Services is authorized to administer public assistance programs.  The administration of public assistance programs must conform with federal laws and be consistent with state public assistance laws.

The department allows public assistance payments to be made to third-parties on behalf of recipients when the recipient is not capable of self-care or when the recipient requests vendor payment.  This option is not available to recipients who are capable of managing their own affairs.

Obtaining housing for many persons on public assistance is hampered because landlords are concerned about timely rental payments.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Social and Health Services is directed to implement a three-year pilot program providing for direct landlord payments.  The program is intended to determine whether the direct payment of rent to landlords from public assistance funds would increase the housing available to persons on public assistance.  The department will develop the program using from three to seven local governing bodies throughout the state.

The department is required to:  1) provide written notification to persons on public assistance, in the selected local governing bodies, that participation in the program is voluntary and that the landlord cannot require direct payment from the department, through the local governing body, without the recipient's authorization; 2) limit the amount available to the landlord, as a direct payment, to the lessor of 90 percent of the monthly public assistance grant allocated for rent, as determined by the department, or 90 percent of the recipient's rent payment; 3) recover incorrect payments from landlords, not recipients of public assistance; and 4) report to the legislature on the results of the pilot program in its annual report.

The landlord is required to:  1) enter into an agreement with the participating local governing body to participate in the program; and 2) notify the department of any planned termination of tenancy of the tenant.

The participating local governing board must: 1) administer the local program using existing housing providers, where appropriate; 2) disburse the direct payments to the landlords on behalf of the department; and 3) charge the landlord a monthly $2 fee to cover the cost of administering each direct payment, which may not be charged to the tenant.  The local government may also charge a fee, up to $50, to inspect and certify that the housing unit meets the applicable housing quality standards used by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The pilot program expires June 30, 1991.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 91   1

      Senate    39     8(Senate amended)

      House 93   0(House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1988