FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 5156

                           C 77 L 99

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Amending housing authority law.

Sponsors:  Senators Prentice and Winsley.

Senate Committee on Commerce, Trade, Housing & Financial Institutions

House Committee on Economic Development, Housing & Trade

Background:  Housing authorities may be formed in any city or county that has a shortage of safe and sanitary housing for low-income residents.  Housing authorities are led by a board of commissioners appointed by city councils, mayors or county commissioners.  Most authorities are limited to five board members; however, boards in large cities such as Seattle have seven.  Seven-member boards must contain two commissioners that reside in housing authority projects.

The Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 revised federal law governing public housing.  The act requires that one local housing authority board commissioner be a recipient of housing services.

Summary:  If federal law requires that local housing authority boards contain one member who is directly assisted by the authority, a five-member board may increase its size to six members.  The board may determine the length of term of the directly assisted member, and such a person may serve only so long as he or she is being assisted.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 47 0

House     94 1

Effective:  July 25, 1999