Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Housing, Community Development & Veterans Committee

HB 2639

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.

Brief Description: Creating the home sharing support grant program.

Sponsors: Representatives Caldier, Chambers, Davis, Corry, Macri, Rude, Robinson and Doglio.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Creates the Home Sharing Support Grant Program (Program) in the Department of Commerce (Commerce).

  • Allows Commerce to use a portion of funds generated by the homeless housing and assistance surcharges to fund the Program.

Hearing Date: 1/28/20

Staff: Cassie Jones (786-7303).

Background:

Homeless Housing and Assistance Surcharges.

Both the state and local homeless housing programs receive funding from the homeless housing and assistance surcharge collected by each county auditor when a document is recorded. The surcharge is applied in addition to any authorized surcharges, as well as any administrative fees collected by the county auditor. Two surcharges are collected when a document is recorded: a $62 surcharge and an $8 surcharge.

For the $62 surcharge, approximately 60 percent is distributed to the counties for their homeless housing programs. The remainder is distributed to the state to be used as follows:

For the $8 surcharge, 90 percent is distributed to the counties for their homeless housing programs and 10 percent is distributed to the state. The funds distributed to the state may be used by Commerce for managing the state homeless housing program, including the costs of creating the statewide homeless housing strategic plan, measuring performance, providing technical assistance to local governments, and managing the homeless housing grant program. Commerce may also use funds to:

Summary of Bill:

Home Sharing Support Grant Program.

The Home Sharing Support Grant Program (Program) is created in Commerce for the purpose of providing financial support to nonprofit organizations that operate home sharing programs. Commerce must manage, oversee, and evaluate Program applications and award grants annually. Commerce may establish application procedures and criteria for the receipt of grants. Grants may be used only for administrative costs of home sharing programs.

"Home sharing program" means a program operated by a nonprofit organization in which the organization assists homeless persons, or persons at risk of becoming homeless, with locating individuals seeking to share their residences and facilitates meetings between program applicants who may choose to enter into a home sharing arrangement on mutually agreeable terms. Services provided by home sharing programs may include, but are not limited to, screening of program applicants for compatibility, background checks of applicants, case management, and conflict resolution.

Homeless Housing and Assistance Surcharges.

Commerce may use funds from the homeless housing and assistance surcharges to fund the Program:

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 21, 2020.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.