| HB 2418-S2.E - DIGEST |
| (DIGEST AS ENACTED) |
Finds that Washington is experiencing an affordable housing crisis and that this crisis is growing exponentially every year as the population of the state expands and housing values increase at a rate that far exceeds most households' proportionate increase in income. |
Finds that the fiscal and societal costs of the lack of adequate affordable housing are high for both the public and private sectors. Current levels of funding for affordable housing programs are inadequate to meet the housing needs of many low-income Washington households. |
Requires the legislature to authorize a transfer of up to twenty-five million dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, into the Washington housing trust fund created in RCW 43.185.030. |
Provides that the department must report to the appropriate committees of the legislature how appropriated funds were utilized on a county or city specific basis no later than December 31, 2007. |
Provides that the interagency council on homelessness, as defined in RCW 43.185C.010, shall be convened not later than August 31, 2006, and shall meet at least two times each year and report to the appropriate committees of the legislature annually by December 31st on its activities. |
Provides that the Washington homeless client management information system shall serve as an online information and referral system to enable local governments and providers to connect homeless persons in the data base with available housing and other support services. Local governments shall develop a capacity for continuous case management, including independent living plans, when appropriate, to assist homeless persons. |
Requires the department, the housing finance commission, the affordable housing advisory board, and all local governments, housing authorities, and other nonprofits receiving state housing funds or financing through the housing finance commission to, by December 31, 2006, and annually thereafter, review current housing reporting requirements related to housing programs and services and give recommendations to streamline and simplify all planning and reporting requirements to the department of community, trade, and economic development, which will compile and present the recommendations annually to the legislature. |
| VETO MESSAGE ON E2SHB 2418 |
| March 30, 2006 |
| To the Honorable Speaker and Members, |
| The House of Representatives of the State of Washington |
| Ladies and Gentlemen: |
| I am returning, without my approval as to Sections 9, 10 and 14, Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 2418 entitled: |
"AN ACT Relating to affordable housing." |
| The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (CTED) is required in Section 9 of the bill to conduct a study to evaluate the potential development of a voluntary statewide, low-income housing waiting list database. The database would include information on all low-income households requesting housing assistance, for the purpose of connecting such households with appropriate housing opportunities. CTED is also required in Section 10 to create or purchase, and implement by December 31, 2009, a master affordable housing database that includes specific information about existing affordable rental housing stock in the state of Washington. The activities outlined in Sections 9 and 10 of the bill are likely to create funding pressures for future biennial budgets. |
| Section 14 requires specific funding to be transferred from the General Fund to the Washington Housing Trust Fund by June 30, 2006, or the Act will be null and void. However, the transfer authorized by the Legislature in the Operating Budget bill occurs after June 30, 2006. |
| As funding provided in the Operating Budget related to this bill is insufficient, CTED will not be able to implement all of the activities contemplated. Notwithstanding this, CTED should do all that it can with the funding available to achieve the objectives of this bill. |
| For these reasons, I have vetoed Sections 9, 10 and 14 of Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 2418. |
| With the exception of Sections 9, 10 and 14, Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 2418 is approved. |
| Respectfully submitted, |
| Christine O. Gregoire |
| Governor |