HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5594

As Reported by House Committee On:

Local Government & Housing

Title:  An act relating to the consolidation of housing authorities.

Brief Description:  Consolidating housing authorities.

Sponsors:  Senators Gardner, Winsley, Prentice and Honeyford.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Local Government & Housing:  2/12/02, 2/28/02 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

$Authorizes the creation of a joint housing authority that may consist of one or more counties and any city or cities within one or more counties.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT & HOUSING

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Dunshee, Chair; Edwards, Vice Chair; Mulliken, Ranking Minority Member; Berkey, DeBolt, Dunn, Hatfield, Kirby and Sullivan.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Crouse and Mielke.

Staff:  Kenny Pittman (786‑7392).

Background:

The state's Housing Authority Law, enacted in 1939, authorizes the establishment of local public housing authorities in every city and county within the state.  A city or county may activate a local public housing authority by passing a resolution declaring a need for the public housing authority to function within the city or county.  A local public housing authority is a municipal corporation that has as one of its goals the provision of housing for persons of low‑income.  The housing is provided through the administration of various federal, state, or local housing programs.

In 1980, the Legislature authorized the creation of joint city‑county housing authorities to serve a county and a city or cities within the county.  A joint city‑county housing authority may be formed when the legislative bodies of the county and the participating city or cities pass an ordinance establishing a joint city‑county housing authority.  The ordinance must provide for the membership, the method of appointment, the election, the length of terms, and the removal of officers of the joint city‑county housing authority.

Summary of Bill:

The state's Housing Authority Law is revised to allow the creation of a joint housing authority that may consist of one or more counties or any city or cities within one or more counties.  The ordinance creating a joint housing authority must contain information regarding the appointment, qualification, election, tenure, or removal of a joint housing authority commissioner.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This will allow smaller counties to work together to provide better access to housing and services to their low income residents.  Working through a joint housing authority will result in lower administrative expenses for the smaller counties or cities due to economies of scale when the pool their resources.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified:  Senator Gardner, prime sponsor; Greg Pierce, Washington Housing Authority; and Diane Clause, Spokane Housing Authority.