Advocacy

State Legislative Updates - go to the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance at www.wliha.org

Summary of 2008 State Legislative Session - coming soon

Summary of 2007 State Legislative Session
The Legislature authorized over $65 million in new operating and capital budget resources for housing-related services and programs.

2007-09 CAPITAL BUDGET

$130 million for the Housing Trust Fund.  Within the $130 million, specific set-asides are earmarked for the following:
                - $9 million for weatherization (Energy Matchmakers program);
                - $5 million for housing for individuals with developmental disabilities;
                - $2.5 million for nonprofit's and housing authorities for revolving loan, self-help housing programs for low and moderate income families;
                - $1 million for housing and shelter for victims of domestic violence;
                - $14 million for farm worker housing;
                - $5 million for housing and shelters for homeless families with children;
                - $4 million for farm infrastructure improvements;
                - $1.5 million for housing for low-income or homeless Native Americans; and
                - $4 million for loans and grants for purchase of mobile/manufactured home communities.
                Total in HTF set-asides: $46 million
                Total in non-obligated HTF funds: $84 million

Within available funding under the Housing Trust Fund, budget proviso language also directs the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) to develop an inventory of housing assistance programs. The inventory is to include all state funded programs, Housing Finance Commission programs, local government and housing authority programs, and all federally-funded housing assistance programs in the state. It will also include all property tax and sales tax provisions intended to support housing assistance programs. For each program, the inventory will include a description, appropriation and expenditure levels since the 1999-2001 biennium, eligibility criteria and benefit amount per unit or family, and the number of units or families assisted.

Land banking bill (HB 1401) funded at $1 million. This program will be administered by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission and will provide a revolving loan fund for land acquisition, with the purpose of maintaining affordable housing in future years.

2007-09 OPERATING BUDGET

Mobile/manufactured home landlord-tenant dispute resolution program (HB 1461) funded at $2.1 million from a combination of mobile home park resident fees and $435,000 in state general fund money.

Foster youth independent housing bill (HB 1922) funded at $1 million.

$200,000 provided to help build organizational capacity for nonprofit community land trusts.

$2 million provided for mobile/manufactured home relocation assistance.

Finally, HB 1359 renames "2060" as the Affordable Housing for All Account and renames "2163" as the Home Security Fund. HB 1359 also adds a new $8 surcharge, revenue from which will also go into the Home Security Fund Account and which will generate about $25.6 million this biennium for homeless housing assistance services and programs. Counties will retain 90% of the $25.6 million, and the state/CTED will retain 10% of the new revenue.

In non-housing programs affecting our work, the Operating Budget includes:

$100,000 for a study on improving effectiveness of the Growth Management Act

$1,763,000 for a statewide community based asset building coalitions program.

$354,000 for SSHB 1636 – Transfer of Development Rights

$1,000,000 for the IDA program

The home warranty bill and the contractor licensing bill died.

Tax Credits for Charitable Contributions died.

The Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity of Washington State adopted a State Legislative Agenda, a State Legislative Process and established a State Legislative Committee at their Oct. 20, 2007 board meeting.

State Legislative Agenda
Coming

Tax Credits for Charitable Contributions
HFHWA_Tax_Credits_for_Charitable_Contributions_Talking_Points

HFHWA State Legislative Committee
Karan Reed, Island County HFH and Vice President, HFHWA
Bill Daehling, President, HFHWA
Mary Fears, Snohomish County HFH and Treasurer, HFHWA
Mary Jo Harvey, Habitat-Spokane
Thomas Page, Secretary HFHWA
Theresa Richardson, TriCounty HFH

HFHWA State Legislative Process
HFHWA_Advocacy_Process