Title: An act relating to programs to end homelessness.

Brief Description: Creating programs to end homelessness.

Sponsors: House Committee on Apps Subcom GG (originally sponsored by Representatives Miloscia, Pettigrew, Morrell, Ormsby, Green, Darneille, Haigh, Moeller, Wallace, Santos and Simpson).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/18/08, 66-29.

Committee Activity: Consumer Protection & Housing: 2/26/08, 2/28/08 [DPA-WM, DNP, w/oRec].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION & HOUSING

Majority Report: Do pass as amended and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators Weinstein, Chair; Kauffman, Vice Chair; Haugen, Jacobsen, Kilmer and Tom.

Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by Senator Honeyford, Ranking Minority Member.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senator Delvin.

Staff: Alison Mendiola (786-7483)

Background: The Legislature enacted the Homeless Housing and Assistance Act in 2005, the goal of which was to reduce homelessness by 50 percent statewide in each county by 2015. Thirty-seven counties participate in this program. The program was funded by a $10 surcharge on recorded documents, 60 percent of which remained to be used within the county of origin. In 2007 the Legislature authorized an additional $8 surcharge for this program (90 percent stays with the counties). The portion of the surcharge funds remitted to the state is deposited into the Home Security Fund.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Amendments): The name of the Homeless Housing and Assistance Act is changed to the Ending Homelessness Act. The names of the program, plans, task forces, and accounts are changed respectively. The goal of the program is to reduce homelessness statewide and in each county by 70 percent by 2015 and 100 percent by 2018.

Additional Program, Reporting and Evaluation Requirements. Responsibilities of the DCTED.

• update the State Ending Homelessness plan annually;
• create program performance measures in collaboration with a task force;
• evaluate local plans and local performance annually;
• provide technical assistance to local governments to apply to the Washington State Quality Award Program for a quality management assessment; and
• integrate the Homeless Families with Children plan into the State Ending Homelessness plan.

Responsibilities of Local Governments.

• update the Local Ending Homelessness plan annually;
• include and report upon performance measures in Local Ending Homelessness plans; and
• apply for an independent assessment from the Washington State Quality Award Program if the local government receives $500,000 or more in state housing funding and certain housing surcharge revenue.

Responsibilities of the Interagency Council on Homelessness.

• respond to the legislative recommendations in the state and local plans.

   
Homeless Grant Assistance Program.
Grants from the Homeless Grant Assistance Program may only be awarded to programs directly related to addressing the root causes of homelessness, preventing homelessness, and collecting data and information on homeless individuals.

Other Bill Components.
1)   The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) will audit the Ending Homelessness program in 2010 and 2014.
2)   The Department of Employment Security must develop a self-sufficiency standard.
3)   The Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (DCTED) will contract with the Washington Institute for Public Policy to determine the most effective, accurate, and comprehensive way for counties and the state to measure and evaluate the societal cost of homelessness.
4)   Local governments, the DCTED, the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, Housing Authorities and other involved non-profit organizations are required to make recommendations regarding how best to streamline homeless housing reporting requirements

The bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY CONSUMER PROTECTION & HOUSING COMMITTEE (Recommended Amendments): JLARC is to audit the Ending Homelessness program twice, in 2010 and 2014.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Engrossed Second Substitute Bill: PRO: Ending homelessness saves lives and we can end homeless in a cost effective way. The Washington State Quality Award program is used routinely in the private sector as it instills best management practices. Requiring locals to meet WSQA standards ensures money is being invested wisely. We get over $45 million each year to end homelessness, so we want to make sure we use the money wisely. Meeting the performance measures under this bill will result in self-sufficiency for over 22,000 homeless people.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Mark Miloscia, prime sponsor; Senator Jim Kastama; Seth Dawson, Mia Navarro Wells, Washington State Coalition for the Homeless; Kim Herman, Washington State Housing Finance Commission.