SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6662

BYSenator Smitherman

Establishing urban revitalization projects.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 24, 1990; February 2, 1990

Majority Report:     That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6662 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

     Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; McDonald, McMullen, Matson, Murray, Saling, Smitherman, West, Williams.

Senate Staff:Traci Anderson (786-7452)

                February 2, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LABOR, FEBRUARY 2, 1990

BACKGROUND:

There are numerous public housing complexes located in the state which are inhabited by high concentrations of low-income, disadvantaged households.  These complexes are increasingly plagued by drugs, drug-related crime, illiteracy, unemployment and underemployment, teenage pregnancy, and welfare dependency.  The organizational structures of certain federal, state, and local social service agencies often make it difficult for these entities to effectively work together in providing the comprehensive social services needed by the residents of these complexes.  Such multi-faceted services are needed to equip these individuals to attain more productive, self-sufficient lives.  In testimony before recent Senate committees, it has been advocated that federal, state and local agencies should be encouraged to work cooperatively with one another and the targeted community to develop and implement programs that will enable individuals and families to lead more independent lives.

SUMMARY:

An Urban Advisory Committee is appointed by the Governor to assist the Department of Community Development in establishing guidelines for the selection of two "Urban Revitalization Pilot Projects."

The Urban Advisory Committee, in consultation with the Department of Community Development, selects sites for the establishment of two "Urban Revitalization Pilot Projects."  The goals of the projects include: identify and address the holistic service needs of the residents living in the targeted housing complexes and provide those services needed to enable residents to achieve self-sufficiency; incorporate the values and ideas of the residents of the targeted housing complex and the surrounding community in designing the projects; encourage the cooperation of federal, state and local agencies, and nonprofit agencies in the development and implementation of the pilot projects; incorporate, when appropriate, the use of services already being provided to the residents of the targeted complex or the surrounding community; encourage the local business community to participate in the development and implementation of the pilot projects.

Local housing authorities, in cooperation with local advisory boards, are responsible for the development, implementation and administration of the pilot projects.  The local advisory boards are comprised of local representatives of the housing authority, public and private nonprofit agencies, the business community, and the targeted housing complex. The Department of Community Development, in cooperation with the urban advisory committee, are responsible for oversight and evaluation of the pilot projects.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Two or more projects will be established under this act with only one project per county allowed.

Residents of the targeted housing complex will be appointed to the local advisory boards to assist in the development and implementation of the pilot projects.

Primary responsibility for project management is delegated to the local housing authority.  The local advisory board will provide assistance to the local housing authority in carrying out this function as requested.

The appropriation of $45,000 is deleted.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    requested January 19, 1990

Senate Committee - Testified:   Burton Chamberlin, Director, Cities-in-Schools; Bill Hunter, Executive Director, Tacoma Housing Authority