Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Local Government & Housing Committee

HB 2922

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Providing housing assistance for certain veterans through the housing trust fund.

Sponsors: Representatives McCune, Campbell, Rolfes and Roach.

Brief Summary of Bill

Expands eligibility criteria for Housing Trust Fund monies to include projects that provide housing for veterans of the United States Armed Forces with 50 percent service-connected disability.

Hearing Date: 1/27/10

Staff: Becca Kenna-Schenk (786-7291) and Ethan Moreno (786-7386).

Background:

Housing Trust Fund.

The Housing Trust Fund (Fund) includes revenues from legislative appropriations, private contributions, repayment of loans, and other sources. For the 2009-2011 biennium, the Fund received $90 million from the State Capital Budget, as well as $10 million in revenue from the repayment of loans. The Fund provides grant or loan assistance for low-income housing projects to local governments and housing authorities, regional support networks, Indian tribes, and certain nonprofit organizations. Activities that are eligible Fund monies include new construction and rehabilitation, rent subsidies, housing related social services, shelters, acquisition of low-income housing units, and down payment assistance. The Fund is administered by the Department of Commerce.

Current law specifies that monies from the Fund must finance projects that will provide housing for individuals and families with:

special needs; or
incomes at or below 50 percent of the median family income for the county or standard metropolitan statistical area where the project is located.

In addition, at least 30 percent of Fund monies awarded in a funding cycle must go to projects located in rural areas of the state, unless the Department of Commerce has not received an adequate number of applications for rural projects.

Summary of Bill:

The eligibility criteria for Housing Trust Fund monies is expanded to include projects that provide housing for veterans of the United States Armed Forces with 50 percent service-connected disability.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on 1/19/10.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.