HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 2415

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.

As Passed House:

February 13, 2014

Title: An act relating to creating a temporary homeless status certification.

Brief Description: Creating a pilot program to provide certification of homeless status for persons in need of an address for purposes of employment.

Sponsors: House Committee on Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Parker, Ormsby, Zeiger, Walsh, Holy, Christian, Lytton, Riccelli, Fagan, Kagi, Gregerson, Orwall and Santos).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs: 1/23/14, 2/4/14 [DPS];

Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Information Technology: 2/6/14 [DPS(CDHT)].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/13/14, 90-8.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

Creates a pilot program for a homeless status certification to assist homeless persons establish an address that can be used for employment purposes.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING & TRIBAL AFFAIRS

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Appleton, Chair; Sawyer, Vice Chair; Johnson, Ranking Minority Member; Holy, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Gregerson, Hope, Robinson, Santos and Young.

Staff: Sean Flynn (786-7124).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON GENERAL GOVERNMENT & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Majority Report: The substitute bill by Committee on Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Hudgins, Chair; Parker, Ranking Minority Member; Buys, Christian, Dunshee, S. Hunt, Jinkins and Springer.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative Taylor.

Staff: Andy Toulon (786-7178).

Background:

The State Homeless Housing Program.

The Legislature enacted the Homeless Housing and Assistance Act in 2005, which directs the Department of Commerce (COM) to develop a statewide homeless housing program. The COM must implement the program through a 10-year strategic plan with the goal of reducing homelessness by 50 percent in the state and within each county by 2015.

Local governments must develop their own 10-year homeless housing plans in coordination with the statewide plan. Local government plans may include specific performance measures and may include recommendations for state legislation that is needed to meet a goal of the local plan. Local governments are also eligible to participate in a state homeless housing grant program, administered by the COM.

State Identification.

The Department of Licensing (DOL) issues the state driver's license and Identicard that serve as official forms of personal identification. The driver's license and Identicard can be used to verify a person's name, residency, and age for various purposes. In order for a driver's license or Identicard to be valid for identification purposes, an applicant must provide the DOL with certain identifying documentation that contains the person's name and signature, including:

a valid or recently expired driver's license or instruction permit that includes the date of birth of the applicant;
a Washington Identicard or an identification card issued by another state;
an identification card issued by the United States, a state, or an agency of either the United States or a state, of a kind commonly used to identify the members or employees of the government agency;
a military identification card;
a United States passport; or
an immigration and naturalization service form.

The DOL may waive this requirement if a person is unable to provide any of these forms of identification and if the person provides other documentation that clearly establishes his or her identity. In addition, the DOL regulations require an applicant to provide a current mailing and state residential address and telephone number.

Foster youth may obtain an Identicard by providing the DOL with a written statement from the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) that verifies the following:

the youth's name, birthdate, and physical description;
the youth's Social Security Number, if available;
the fact that the youth is a minor in the custody of the DSHS or other agency, and the DSHS or agency contact information; and
the appropriate address to be listed on the Identicard.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The COM must establish a homeless status certification pilot program within one county where there are homeless housing and service providers, community leaders, and businesses that are willing to partner with the COM. The program must create a homeless status form that verifies a person's homeless status and provides an address of a homeless housing or service provider to be used by the person. The COM must develop procedures for collecting the information provided on the homeless status forms. The COM must convene regular meetings with homeless housing and service providers, community leaders, homeless persons, and businesses for purposes of creating and implementing the program and defining responsibilities among the interested parties.

By December 1, 2016, the COM must submit a report to the Legislature on the outcomes of the program, including the number of persons who used the homeless status form and the number of persons who obtained employment. The report also must evaluate and make recommendations on expanding the program statewide.

The program expressly does not create an entitlement. The program expires June 30, 2017.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs):

(In support) This bill allows a homeless person to use the address of a homeless housing or service provider for purposes of employment. Many homeless persons want to work; however, there are impediments for them to find employment opportunities. One problem is the inability to list a permanent address on a job application form. This bill would allow homeless persons to use the address of homeless housing or a service provider, with the provider's consent.

(Opposed) None.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Information Technology):

(In support) The unanimous vote of the policy committee shows this is a good bill. This bill not only addresses the homeless but the jobless and is an unemployment bill. The fiscal note was on a statewide program but the substitute bill is only a pilot in one county.

Even if the program were implemented statewide, the note shows that 8,500 individuals would be using this program. This means 8,500 homeless people with the possibility of a job. This will result in getting these people working and contributing to the economy.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying (Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs): Representative Parker, prime sponsor.

Persons Testifying (Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Information Technology): E.B. Vodde, Associated Students of Eastern Washington University.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs): None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Information Technology): None.