SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6364

BYSenators Fleming, Lee, Warnke, Smitherman and Murray

Providing relocation assistance to certain displaced tenants.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 30, 1990

Senate Staff:Jack Brummel (786-7428)

AS OF JANUARY 26, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The destruction of low-income housing units, or their conversion to other uses, has caused financial hardship for low-income tenants who must try to find affordable replacement housing.  Requiring property owners to provide relocation assistance to low-income tenants they displace will require specific state authorization.

SUMMARY:

Low-income renters are entitled to relocation assistance payments from owners which displace them by demolishing, rehabilitating, or changing the use of their residential rental units, or displace them due to any code enforcement or removal of use restrictions in any assisted housing development.  The relocation assistance paid ranges from $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the income level and household size of the renters.  Such payments are not to affect eligibility for any other public benefits.

Tenants to be displaced are entitled to 180 days notice, except when the displacement is due to code enforcement actions, in which case notice shall be supplied as far in advance as is practicable.

Section 6 is a model notice and eligibility form.

An owner or tenant may request a hearing in superior, district, or small claims court to resolve any dispute regarding eligibility for relocation assistance, the amount of relocation assistance to be paid, or other actions under the act.

Except for good cause, such as failure to live up to the terms of the rental agreement, owners may not, in an attempt to avoid the application of the act, evict a tenant or take other action which causes the tenant to leave prior to the service of notice required by the act.  Tenants that vacate a dwelling prior to the notice required by the act, or move in after receiving the required notice, are not eligible for relocation assistance payments.

Local jurisdictions may enact local relocation assistance programs.  Relocation assistance given pursuant to local requirements will be credited against the amount due under this act, and vice versa.

Violations of the act are considered violations of the consumer protection act.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.