PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Subject of Possible Rule Making: New sections and changes to the existing emergency shelter assistance program (ESAP) WAC 365-120-010 through 365-120-060. The Washington state homeless families plan directs CTED to be the principal state department responsible for providing shelter and housing services to homeless families with children. The plan calls for an increase in ESAP funding and transitional housing programs, including support for operating costs of transitional housing facilities and rental assistance for homeless families with children. This WAC would establish guidelines for these programs.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Washington State Supreme Court's December 1997 decision in Washington State Coalition for the Homeless v. Department of Social and Health Services. The legislature has passed E2SHB 1493 (chapter 267, Laws of 1999). Chapter 43.63A RCW and RCW 43.63A.650.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The emergency shelter assistance program is being amended to clarify the existing rules, allow for local flexibility, and aid in the administration of the program. These amendments will update existing definitions, the funding allocation process, applicant eligibility criteria, and allowable activities. New sections will be added to provide guidelines for the allocation and use of funds in the transitional housing program.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: CTED has been working with the Homeless Families Advisory Committee to draft policies and procedures for the new programs described in the homeless families with children plan. The advisory committee is composed of low-income housing providers across the state. CTED staff met with the advisory committee on July 28, 29 and September 1, 1999, to create program guidelines, and has been soliciting additional comments from this group by telephone and e-mail. The final draft of the WAC language will be sent to the committee for review and endorsement. CTED will also mail the proposed WAC to all interested parties prior to the WAC hearing with an invitation for comments. Community forums will be held on October 27 and 28, 1999.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, Attn: Jennifer Turin, Program Manager, P.O. Box 48300, Olympia, WA 98504-8300, phone (360) 753-1928, fax (360) 586-5880, e-mail jent@cted.wa.gov.
October 5, 1999
Jean L. Ameluxen
Director of
Intergovernmental Relations