FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1720

C 50 L 15

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning healthy housing.

Sponsors: Representatives Robinson, Peterson, Stanford, Riccelli, Gregerson, Senn, Appleton, Ortiz-Self, Tarleton, Jinkins and Santos.

House Committee on Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs

Senate Committee on Human Services, Mental Health & Housing

Background:

Low-Income Residential Weatherization Program.

The Low-Income Residential Weatherization Program (Program) was established in 1987. The program is administered by the Department of Commerce (Commerce) and seeks to achieve monetary and energy savings for low-income households and other energy consumers by directing public and private weatherization resources from sponsoring entities or other sources to low-income households. Fund sources include the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) within the United States Department of Energy (DOE), the Bonneville Power Administration, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program within the United States Health and Human Services Department. Commerce also receives state funds, which are matched by utility companies that sell gas and electric heat. Commerce defines "low-income," but the amount may not exceed 80 percent of median household income, adjusted for household size, for the county in which the dwelling unit to be weatherized is located.

Weatherization services provided under the Program include energy and resource conservation, energy efficiency improvements, repairs, indoor quality improvements, health and safety improvements, and client education. Commerce solicits proposals for low-income weatherization programs from potential sponsors and allocates funding.

United States Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program/Weatherization Plus Health Initiative.

The WAP was created in 1976 to assist low-income families who lacked resources to invest in energy efficiency. The WAP also plays a role in ensuring the health and safety of low-income homes. The DOE-funded Weatherization Plus Health Initiative connects the WAP network with providers of healthy homes services. Healthy homes services include lead hazard control, remediation of asthma triggers (including moisture, mold, and pests), reduction in exposure to radon and other toxic chemicals, and prevention of injuries caused by old or dilapidated housing.

United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

In 1999 the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) created the Healthy Homes Initiative. Under the Healthy Homes program, the HUD addresses multiple childhood diseases and injuries in the home and environmental health and safety concerns including mold, lead, allergens, asthma, carbon monoxide, home safety, pesticides, and radon through grants that focus on developing low-cost methods for hazard assessment, and educating residents and communities on how to mitigate hazards. The HUD specifies seven healthy home principles to keep a healthy home, including keeping homes, clean, safe, and contaminant free.

Summary:

Sponsors submitting proposals under the Program may propose to use grant awards and matching funds to make healthy housing improvements to homes undergoing weatherization. Projects that improve the health and safety of residents are added to the types of projects that receive prioritized funding from the Program. Commerce must also develop policies that improve the health and safety of residents in homes and buildings requiring improvements.

Healthy housing is defined as increasing the health and safety of a home by integrating energy efficiency activities and indoor environmental measures, consistent with the Weatherization Plus Health Initiative of the DOE and the healthy housing principles adopted by the HUD.

Votes on Final Passage: