SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5404

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 of February 4, 2015

Title: An act relating to homeless youth prevention and protection.

Brief Description: Concerning homeless youth prevention and protection.

Sponsors: Senators O'Ban, Darneille, Frockt, Miloscia, Kohl-Welles, McAuliffe, Chase, Pedersen and Conway; by request of Governor Inslee.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Human Services, Mental Health & Housing: 1/29/15.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH & HOUSING

Staff: Alison Mendiola (786-7444)

Background: Programs for Street and Homeless Youth. The Children's Administration of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) administers a number of programs regarding the care of street and homeless youth. For example, there are the following:

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) operates the Independent Youth Housing Program by providing rental assistance and case management for eligible youth who have aged out of the state foster care system. These funds are intended to assist in meeting the state goal of ensuring that all such youth avoid experiencing homelessness by having access to a decent, appropriate, and affordable homes in a healthy, safe environment. Participating youth must meet the following criteria to be eligible for assistance: participants must be at least 18 years of age, must have been a dependent of the state at any time during the four-month period preceding the youth's eighteenth birthday, and must have not yet reached the age of 23. Priority must be given to individuals who were dependents of the state for at least one year.

Home Security Fund. There is a $40 document recording fee surcharge. The revenue generated supports homeless housing and assistance programs, and the revenue is shared between the county that collected the revenue and the state. The state's share is deposited into the Home Security Fund. Commerce uses these monies to fund a number of homeless housing programs, with at least 45 percent of the state's share set aside for the use of private rental housing payments.

Homeless Families Services Fund. This fund exists within the custody of the State Treasurer and includes a one-time appropriation by the Legislature, private contributions, and all other sources deposited into the fund. Commerce may expend monies from the fund to provide state matching funds for housing-based supportive services for homeless families over a period of at least ten years.

Summary of Bill: To successfully reduce and prevent youth and young adult homelessness, it is the goal of the Legislature to provide these youth and young adults with stable housing, education and employment, permanent connections, and social and emotional wellbeing. The Legislature finds that the coordination of statewide homeless prevention and reduction efforts should be the responsibility of the executive branch.

The Office of Homeless Youth Programs (Office) is created, within Commerce. The Office must provide management and oversight of HOPE Centers, crisis residential centers, street youth services, and independent youth housing programs. The Office also gathers data and outcome measures, initiates data sharing agreements, develops specific recommendations and timelines to address funding, policy, and practice gaps with the state system, and increases system integration and coordinates efforts to prevent state systems from discharging youth and young adults into homelessness. An advisory committee must consult with the Office regarding funding, policy, and practice gaps within and among state programs. The Office must be operational no later than January 1, 2016. By December 1, 2016, the Office must submit a report to the Governor to inform and provide recommendations regarding funding, policy, and best practices in the four service areas identified.

Other changes made by the Homeless Youth Act include the following:

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Everyone deserves a place to call home, no one wants to be homeless. People are homeless for economic reasons, mental health issues, or substance abuse. Homelessness should be a rare, brief, and one-time experience. The homeless are no different than anyone else. Homelessness occurs in all corners of Washington and therefore we need a statewide response. The bill moves programs from DSHS to Commerce which makes sense since Commerce provides housing for a wide variety of individuals. Commerce will collaborate with other systems, which results in better outcomes. Moving the programs will take advantage of efficiencies Commerce has developed with contracts, and make it more streamlined and easier for providers to administer the funds. Homeless and formerly homeless youth had a voice in drafting this bill. This bill prevents exiting the system and becoming homeless.

Persons Testifying: PRO: First Lady Trudi Inslee; Kurt Miller, Resources for Education and Career Help Center Director; Tricia Raikes, Raikes Foundation; Andi Smith, Governor's Office; Jennifer Strus, DSHS; Dan McConnon, Commerce; Jim Theofelis, Shallamar Campbell, Clayton Hefley, Mockingbird Society; Alice Shobe, Nancy Osborn, Julio Cortes, Alan Willoughby, citizens.