Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Housing, Community Development & Veterans Committee |
HB 1805
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. |
Brief Description: Providing rental assistance to mobile home park tenants.
Sponsors: Representatives Orcutt and Pollet.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/8/19
Staff: Serena Dolly (786-7150).
Background:
Office of Mobile and Manufactured Home Relocation Assistance.
The Office of Mobile and Manufactured Home Relocation Assistance (Office), located in the Department of Commerce (COM), provides general assistance to mobile and manufactured home resident organizations, tenant organizations, and mobile and manufactured home community owners. Among its duties, the Office provides technical assistance to tenants who are participating in the conversion of a mobile home park to resident ownership and provides financial assistance to homeowners under the Mobile Home Relocation Assistance Program when mobile home parks close.
Summary of Bill:
A Mobile Home/Manufactured Housing Rental Assistance Program (Program) is created within the Office of Mobile and Manufactured Home Relocation Assistance. The purpose of the Program is to provide rental assistance to low-income tenants who own a mobile or manufactured home and rent the land on which the homes are located.
To qualify for rental assistance, a tenant must:
have an annual income less than 80 percent of the median family income, adjusted for household size;
be over age 55; and
have experienced a rent increase that exceeds inflation.
A qualifying tenant must apply to the COM for assistance. Rental assistance is provided on a monthly basis and may not exceed the lesser of $200 or 50 percent of the monthly rent for the lot. Once approved, the tenant may receive rental assistance for one year. A tenant must report any changes in income or monthly rent to the COM. A tenant may reapply annually.
The COM may not use funds from the Mobile Home Relocation Assistance Program for rental assistance. If $2 million is not appropriated for rental assistance for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, the act is null and void.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 2, 2019.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.