EMERGENCY RULES
TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Date of Adoption: October 26, 1999.
Purpose: To provide grants to local communities to provide operating assistance for existing transitional housing units and rental assistance for homeless families with children.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: New section to chapter 365-120 WAC.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 43.63A RCW, [43.]63A.650 , and E2SHB 1493 (chapter 267, Laws of 1999).
Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest; and that state or federal law or federal rule or a federal deadline for state receipt of federal funds requires immediate adoption of a rule.
Reasons for this Finding: The state has set aside $5,000,000 for operating support and rental assistance for transitional housing for homeless families with children. The state requires that half of these funds ($2,500,000) be spent by June 30, 2000. Local contractors will need time to develop these new programs, and if they have to wait for the permanent WAC to be adopted it will leave six months or less for them to spend their allocations. Immediate adoption would allow for contract execution in November of 1999.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0. Effective Date of Rule: Immediately.
October 26, 1999
Jean L. Ameluxen
Director of
Intergovernmental Relations
The THORA program will provide grants for operating assistance for transitional housing facilities and rental assistance for homeless families with children. THORA will enable homeless families to make the transition from homelessness or emergency housing to permanent housing as they work toward self-sufficiency. In all instances, the term "department" refers to the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development. Funds will be distributed according to department formula.
(1) Operating Subsidy Program.
(a) Eligible projects will provide transitional housing to the targeted population of homeless families with children whose incomes are at or below 30 percent of the area median income, as adjusted for household size.
(b) Eligible households must be homeless and include a pregnant woman or one or more dependent children under the age of 18.
(c) Operating subsidies shall not exceed 30 percent of the project's core operating budget for the year.
(d) Rents shall not exceed 30 percent of the income of the targeted population.
(e) Operating subsidies may be used for the cost of heat, electricity, water and sewer, garbage, repairs, maintenance, janitorial, property management (off-site and residential), insurance, accounting, marketing, intake, inspections, and case management. The local contractor must obtain department approval before using operating subsidies for other uses.
(2) Rental Assistance Program.
(a) Eligible activities include no less than 91 days and no more than 24 months of assistance to help pay the cost of rent and utilities for amounts consistent with local market practices.
(b) Eligible households must be homeless and include a pregnant woman or one or more dependent children under the age of 18. Households must have incomes that are equal to or less than 50 percent of the area median income as adjusted for household size. Households must sign a written agreement to participate in a Housing Stability Plan.
(c) Local contractors must have written tenant selection, assistance denial or termination, and housing safety standards policies and procedures. All policies and procedures must be developed according to Department guidelines.
(d) Rent subsidies will be appropriate to individual family incomes. A minimum tenant payment must be required by the local agency.
(e) Program participants may not transfer their assistance to areas outside of the administering agency's jurisdiction.
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