HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2873
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.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Capital Budget
Title: An act relating to increasing the debt limit of the housing finance commission.
Brief Description: Increasing the debt limit of the housing finance commission.
Sponsors: Representatives Ormsby, Liias, McIntire and Wood; by request of Governor Gregoire.
Brief History:
Capital Budget: 1/24/08, 2/5/08 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL BUDGET
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 22 members: Representatives Fromhold, Chair; Ormsby, Vice Chair; Schual-Berke, Vice Chair; McDonald, Ranking Minority Member; Newhouse, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Blake, Chase, Dunshee, Eickmeyer, Flannigan, Hankins, Hasegawa, Kelley, McCune, Orcutt, Pearson, Pedersen, Sells, Skinner, Smith and Upthegrove.
Staff: Nona Snell (786-7153).
Background:
The Housing Finance Commission (HFC) was created by the Legislature in 1983. However,
it is not a state agency, does not receive or lend state funds, and the HFC debt is not backed
by the full faith and credit of the state.
The HFC acts as a conduit of federal financing for housing, nonprofit facilities, and
beginning farmers and ranchers. It issues both tax-exempt and taxable bonds to provide
below market-rate financing to nonprofit and for-profit housing developers who set aside a
certain percentage of their units for low-income individuals and families. The HFC also
issues tax-exempt bonds to provide below market-rate financing for non-housing nonprofit
facilities and for beginning farmers and ranchers.
To date, the HFC has financed more than 126,000 affordable housing units and elderly beds,
and provided over 38,000 loans for home ownership. It has also financed 127 nonprofit
facilities throughout the state. The beginning farmers and ranchers program was created in
2005 and no projects have been financed.
When created in 1983, the HFC's statutory debt limit was $1 billion. The debt limit was
raised to $2 billion in 1985, to $3 billion in 1999, and to $4.5 billion in 2006. The debt limit
is the total amount of debt the HFC is authorized to have outstanding at any one time. As of
January 2008, the HFC's outstanding debt reached $4 billion. Once the HFC reaches the
current debt limit of $4.5 billion, it must stop issuing debt to finance additional affordable
housing and nonprofit facilities.
Summary of Bill:
The HFC's debt limit is raised to $6.5 billion.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The Housing Finance Commission's (HFC) bonds are not backed by the full-faith
and credit of the state, and its programs are federal programs that encourage the private sector
to develop affordable housing.
Along with the need for affordable housing for families is the increasing need for senior
housing. If the HFC issues bonds to meet the current demand, it will run out of authority by
2008.
The Governor is concerned that moderate income people are paying more of their incomes
for housing, and the state's home-ownership rate is declining. The HFC's financing tools are
needed to keep up with the need.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Ormsby, prime sponsor; Kim Herman, Housing Finance Commission; and Kari Burrell, Governor's Policy Office.