HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2179

             As Reported By House Committee On:

            Trade, Economic Development & Housing

Title:  An act relating to temporary housing for homeless, unaccompanied youth.

Brief Description:  Aiding homeless unaccompanied youth.

Sponsors:  Representatives Ogden, H. Myers, Kessler, Wineberry, Romero, Leonard, Carlson and L. Johnson.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Trade, Economic Development & Housing, February 3, 1994, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & HOUSING

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Wineberry, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Campbell; Conway; Morris; Quall; Springer; Valle and Wood.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 4 members:  Representatives Schoesler, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Backlund and Sheldon.

Staff:  Kenny Pittman (786-7392).

Background:  The number of homeless unaccompanied youth has continued to increase.  These youth often have essential needs that can not be addressed without safe shelter and supportive services. 

The Housing Assistance Program was created by the Legislature in 1986.  The Department of Community Development administers the program.  The purpose of the program is to provide financing to local governments, public housing authorities and nonprofit organizations to increase the availability and affordability of housing for very low-income households.  The housing is developed using a variety of public and private financing partnerships and must be occupied by persons with special needs or with incomes at or below 50 percent of the median income, adjusted for household size, for the county where the housing is located.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of Community Development is directed to give preference to applications for projects, through the Housing Assistance Program, that provide temporary housing for homeless, unaccompanied youth.  The preference for funding expires July 1, 1995.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  The problem of an increasing number of homeless youth has continued to increase in both urban and rural areas of the state.  Most of these youth have been forced to leave their home due to physical or sexual abuse.  Due to the lack of adequate shelter, many are forced to live in parks, abandoned houses and cars.  Providing safe housing does make a difference.  Housing is the element that makes the supportive services work.  This bill will make a difference in this important area.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Representative Val Ogden, prime sponsor (pro);  Shirley Galloway, Vancouver Coalition for the Homeless (pro); Rich Kirk and Maureen Howard, Washington State Coalition for Homeless (pro); Ann Rudnicki, Kitsap Commission on Children & Youth (pro); and Virginia Penn, Mothers Against Gangs (pro).