HB 1173-S - DIGEST
(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Finds that: (1) There is a large, unmet need for affordable housing and affordable housing assistance in the state of Washington, causing many low-income individuals and families to be at risk of homelessness;

(2) The state should provide financial resources as well as case management to help individuals and families at risk of homelessness obtain and retain housing and work towards a goal of self-sufficiency where possible;

(3) There are many root causes of the affordable housing shortage. It is critical that such causes be analyzed, effective solutions be developed, implemented, monitored, and evaluated, and that these causal factors be eliminated;

(4) There is a taxpayer and societal cost associated with a lack of jobs that pay self-sufficiency standard wages and a shortage of affordable housing, and the state must identify and quantify that cost; and

(5) The support and commitment of all sectors of the statewide community is critical to accomplishing the state's affordable housing for all goal. The provision of housing and housing-related services should be administered both at the state level and at the local level.

Declares that the systematic and comprehensive performance measurement and evaluation of progress toward interim goals and the immediate state affordable housing goal of a decent and affordable home in a healthy, safe environment for all economic segments in the state by 2020 is a necessary component of the statewide effort to end the affordable housing crisis.

Creates within the department of community, trade, and economic development the state affordable housing for all program.

Directs the department of community, trade, and economic development to, in consultation with the affordable housing advisory board, prepare and biannually update a state affordable housing for all plan with an ultimate goal of achieving a decent and affordable home in a healthy, safe environment for all economic segments by decile by county in the state by 2020.

Requires each county to convene a county affordable housing task force.

Requires each county to direct its affordable housing task force to prepare and recommend to its county legislative authority a county affordable housing for all plan for its jurisdictional area. Each county shall adopt a county plan by June 30, 2011, and update the plan annually by June 30th thereafter.

Allows a county to decline to participate in the affordable housing for all program by forwarding to the department of community, trade, and economic development a resolution adopted by the county legislative authority stating the intention not to participate.

Requires the department of community, trade, and economic development to establish two self-sufficiency income standards based upon the cost of living, including housing costs, which include mortgage or rent payments and utilities other than telephone, for each county in the state.