FINAL BILL REPORT
HB 2275
C 114 L 94
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Modifying the emergency mortgage and rental assistance program for dislocated forest products workers.
By Representatives Kessler, H. Myers, Springer, Jones, Morris, Sheldon, Wineberry, King, Campbell, Holm, Chandler and Foreman; by request of Department of Community Development.
House Committee on Trade, Economic Development & Housing
House Committee on Appropriations
Senate Committee on Trade, Technology & Economic Development
Background: The 1991 Legislature created the Emergency Mortgage and Rental Assistance Program to provide financial assistance to households unable to make either mortgage or rent payments due to loss of employment in the timber industry. The Department of Community Development administers the program.
The Department of Community Development makes grants to local organizations that develop and administer local mortgage and rental assistance programs. Emergency mortgage assistance loans are limited to 24 months or $20,000. Emergency rental assistance loans or grants are limited to 24 months.
An informal attorney general opinion indicates that the law is not clear on: (1) whether local organizations can retain loan repayments of emergency mortgage or rental assistance to continue assisting dislocated forest products workers, or (2) whether loan repayments of emergency mortgage or rental assistance are to be returned to the Department of Community Development.
Summary: The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development is authorized to make grants to local organizations. The local organizations are authorized to establish a revolving grant and loan fund to receive repayments of mortgage and rental assistance. Repayments are to be used to provide additional financial assistance to households unable to make either mortgage or rent payments due to loss of employment in the timber industry.