BILL REQ. #:  H-1387.2 

Read first time 02/17/2005.   Referred to Committee on Housing.

     TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO THE SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT:
     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:
     WHEREAS, Affordable, safe, and sanitary housing is vital to the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities throughout the United States. It is also a necessary component of a healthy economy; and
     WHEREAS, Owning one's home has long been considered a part of the "American Dream"; and
     WHEREAS, The cost of owning a home in Washington has dramatically increased due to a lack of available land, mandatory impact fees, and increased construction costs to the level that the median price of some new single-family homes rose by 29% during the first nine months of 2004; and
     WHEREAS, In the 2000 Census, Washington homeownership among White householders was more than 67%, higher than the rate of 41% for Hispanics; however, less than 38% of Black householders were found to own their own home; and
     WHEREAS, It is the priority of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to add 5.5 million minority homeowners by the end of the decade with funding increases in programs for low-income Americans; and
     WHEREAS, Congress has appropriated a $113 million increase in the HOME Investment Partnerships Program - allowing local governments to encourage the production of affordable housing in communities nationwide; an additional $10 million to provide counseling services to Americans who wish to become homeowners; and $200 million for the American Dream Downpayment Initiative to help an estimated 40,000 low-income families a year become first-time homeowners; and
     WHEREAS, Congress has been able to increase funding of the Housing Choice Vouchers program, also known as Section 8, from $12.7 billion in 2003 to $14.5 billion in 2004 and $14.8 billion for year 2005. Funding for the rental assistance program, which currently assists approximately 2 million low-income families nationwide, has increased by $3.5 billion or 30% since 2001; and
     WHEREAS, The department's comprehensive plan to end chronic homelessness is the largest total award of federal funds for homeless assistance in history - more than $1.4 billion is being awarded to an unprecedented number of projects nationally totaling more than 4,400; and
     WHEREAS, This is also the fourth consecutive year funding for homeless assistance has increased to record levels; and
     WHEREAS, The department will continue to strengthen the capacity of Faith-Based and Community Organizations by reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers and expanding their ability to act with compassion toward families and individuals in need;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists recognize the role of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for effective policies in augmenting home ownership of Washington families and impacting the economic vitality of Washington State.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That your Memorialists respectfully pray that the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development continue to streamline affordable housing programs to better serve the citizens of the United States and the State of Washington thereby improving the quality of life of individuals, families, and communities; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, the Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.