Three bills addressing homelessness response will receive hearings this week, including an AWC priority bill to stabilize housing by providing rental assistance.
HB 1277 sponsored by Rep. Timm Ormsby (D–Spokane), provides an additional revenue source for eviction prevention and housing stability services. The bill adds an extra $100 to the document recording fee and would fund the following:
- 5% of fees to permanent supportive housing;
- 2% of fees to landlord mitigation fund;
- Most of the remainder to the home security fund for eviction prevention rental assistance; and
- Project-based funding to nonprofit housing providers, foreclosure assistance, mediation eviction prevention services, homeless rental assistance, and tenant education and legal services.
This AWC priority bill is on the fast track and received a hearing during the second week of session. It is now scheduled for a committee vote.
HB 1101, sponsored by Rep. Jim Walsh (R–Aberdeen), creates a grant program for converting unused, county-owned buildings to housing for homeless persons. While we recognize that any extra capacity to shelter homeless individuals is a benefit to cities, AWC would like to see this proposal expanded to include city-owned buildings.
HB 1228, sponsored by Rep. Andrew Barkis (R–Olympia), addresses residential landlord-tenant requirements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill would:
- Suspend the eviction moratorium.
- Require an offer of payment plan with affidavit, and early resolution program notice before eviction of tenant with COVID-related back rent.
- Require the tenant to pay on-going rent.
- Create emergency rental assistance grants with $600 million in funding from the Rainy Day account.
Dates to remember
HB 1101 is scheduled for public hearing in the House Capital Budget Committee on Tuesday, January 26 at 1:30 pm.
HB 1228 is scheduled for public hearing in the House Housing, Human Services & Veterans Committee on Thursday, January 28 at 1:30 pm.
HB 1277 is scheduled for a committee vote in the House Housing, Human Services & Veterans Committee on Friday, January 29 at 10 am.