HB 2026 - DIGEST

Finds that existing state and federal programs and funding are insufficient to meet the needs of qualifying low-income residents seeking to obtain or to continue residing in safe, decent, and affordable housing. For many low-income persons, this assistance is critical in determining whether a family or individual will inhabit a housing unit satisfying basic needs or whether such persons will be subjected to the uncertainties and limitations of substandard dwellings or homelessness.

Declares an intent to establish the Washington rental assistance program, a new tenant-based emergency and longer-term rental assistance program, without eliminating or reducing existing state or federal housing programs or funds for such programs, whereby qualifying low-income families and individuals may receive such assistance in accordance with legislative directives.

Establishes the Washington rental assistance program to provide tenant-based rental assistance in the form of a payment to the landlord on behalf of low-income single persons, families, or unrelated persons living together: (1) Whose income is at or below forty percent of the median income, adjusted for household size, for the county of residence, as determined by the federal department of housing and urban development; and

(2) Who are not receiving such assistance through a program authorized by section 8 of the United States housing act of 1937, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1437f or any other federal, state, or local rental assistance program.