Brief Description: Concerning the homeless families services fund.

Sponsors: Senators Prentice, Shin, Kohl-Welles and McAuliffe.

Senate Committee on Ways & Means
House Committee on Appropriations

Background: The Legislature created the homeless families services fund in 2004 and since then has appropriated $6 million into the account; the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) administers the fund.

The fund may be used to provide state matching funds for housing-based supportive services for homeless families. Activities eligible for funding include: case management, counseling, referrals to employment and job training, domestic violence services and programs, mental health services and programs, substance abuse services and programs, parenting skills' education and training, transportation assistance, and child care.

Organizations authorized to receive funds include local housing authorities, nonprofit community or neighborhood-based organizations, public development authorities, federally recognized Indian tribes, and regional or statewide nonprofit housing assistance organizations.

To date, all funds appropriated to the fund have been transferred to the Washington Families Fund, which is jointly administered by CTED and Building Changes, a statewide nonprofit. CTED authorizes release of the funds as private matching funds are received.

Summary: Six million dollars of the state General Fund is appropriated for expenditure in the homeless families services fund.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      48   0
House      83   13

Effective: February 6, 2008