Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs Committee |
HB 2918
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 rental assistance to mobile home park tenants.
Sponsors: Representatives Orcutt, Johnson, Appleton and Steele.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/30/18
Staff: Travis Yonker (786-7383).
Background:
Tenants of mobile homes have been afforded certain protections and benefits to address some of the unique issues created by such a living arrangement. The Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act was enacted to provide specific rights and duties for tenants and landlords in the specific context of the rental of mobile home lots. The Mobile Home Relocation Assistance Program, administered by the Department of Commerce (Department), was created to assist in the moving expenses associated with relocating a tenant's mobile home from a mobile home park that is closing to a new location.
Summary of Bill:
A mobile home and manufactured housing rental assistance program is created. The program is administered by the Department, which may adopt rules for the administration of the program.
A tenant of a mobile home lot may apply to the Department for rental assistance. The Department may approve applicants for monetary rental assistance. The Department will consider the following factors in approving an applicant to receive assistance:
the applicant is a low-income tenant, defined as having a combined disposable income of $45,000 or less;
The applicant is over the age of 55; and
The applicant has experienced a rent increase that outpaces inflation, based on U.S. Department of Commerce statistics.
Once an applicant is approved for the program, the Department may give that applicant an amount of monetary rental assistance on a monthly basis, as funding allows, but not to exceed the lesser of either $200 or 50 percent of the monthly rent amount for the applicant’s mobile home lot. The applicant is then entitled to the monetary rental assistance for one year. If there is a change in an approved applicant’s circumstances that impact the Department’s eligibility considerations, the applicant must notify the Department of such change, and the Department will adjust the amount of monetary rental assistance accordingly.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on 1/25/2018.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.