SENATE BILL REPORT

                           ESHB 1136

                     AS OF MARCH 24, 1993

Brief Description:  Encouraging home matching.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Reams, Wineberry, Leonard, Brough, Sommers, Forner, Ludwig, Wolfe, Springer, Chandler, Shin, Silver, Mielke, Ballard, Karahalios, Foreman, Miller, Brumsickle, Vance, Thibaudeau, Horn, Wood, Quall, Kremen, Morton, Talcott, Tate, Cooke and Ogden)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & HOUSING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE

Staff:  Traci Ratzliff (786‑7452)

Hearing Dates:  March 31, 1993

BACKGROUND:

Lower-income households are faced with housing problems as a result of economic pressure from increased housing expenses.  Many older people living on relatively limited financial resources pay a large proportion of their budgets for housing and housing-related expenses.  Younger households are also facing severe housing problems due to incomes that have not kept pace with housing and housing-related expenses.

Home matching is an increasingly popular method to provide adequate, affordable housing for older people on relatively low, fixed incomes and lower-income households that cannot afford market rents.  Home matching programs are developed to meet a variety of housing needs.  Some people want to reduce their living expenses, others may desire companionship and security, and still others may seek an exchange of services for housing.

SUMMARY:

The Home Matching Pilot Program is established in the state Department of Community Development.  The Department of Community Development may select up to five eligible organizations to implement home matching programs at the local level.  The Department of Community Development may provide grants and technical assistance to selected local home matching programs to facilitate: (a) intergenerational homesharing involving older homeowners sharing homes with younger persons; (b) homesharing arrangements that involve an exchange of services for room and board or some financial consideration such as rent; and (c) the more efficient use of available housing.  Eligible organizations are defined as local governments, local housing authorities, regional support networks, nonprofit community or neighborhood-based organizations, and regional or statewide nonprofit housing assistance organizations.

In selecting eligible organizations for participation in the home matching pilot program, the Department of Community Development must consider, but not be limited to the eligible organization's: (a) ability, stability, and resources to implement the local home matching program; (b) efforts to coordinate other support services needed by the individual or family participating in the local home matching program; and (c) other factors the Department of Community Development deems appropriate.

The recipient eligible organization is required to establish criteria for participation in the local home matching program.  The determination of eligibility must include, but is not limited to a verification of the individual or family's history of making rent payments in a consistent and timely manner.

Appropriation:  $250,000 from the Washington housing trust fund account

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available