Action for housing advocates

The 2018 state legislative session starts today! In this post:

• Register for Housing Alliance updates - biweekly calls on legislative action
• Hearings scheduled for important housing bills. You can comment!
• Sign up for housing advocacy day, action alerts; read 2018 housing priorities

REGISTER FOR UPDATES

Join the Housing Alliance for biweekly updates on the 2018 state legislative session. We welcome all affordable housing and homelessness advocates to join. These calls will take place every other Friday at 10 am on each of the following dates:

• Friday, January 12, 10-11 am
• Friday, January  26, 10-11 am
• Friday, February 9, 10-11 am
• Friday, February 23, 10-11 am
• Friday, March 9, 10-11 am

You can register for the Housing Alliance session updates for advocates at: 
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3949266934439923457


There are three ways you can access these calls:

1. Connect using a web-connected computer, with either free computer-based audio or by dialing in from a separate phone for audio.
2. Connect using the GoToWebinar app for IOS or Android on your smart phone. This is free if you use a WiFi connection and will count against your data allowance if you're on a cellular connection.
3. Connect using any phone (land line, basic cell phone or smart phone) with the long-distance number provided when you register.  

The Housing Alliance wants these calls to be as accessible as possible, regardless of finances or technical resources. If you need help figuring out how to use these tools or finding a way to participate without spending money, please register using the link provided and indicate on your registration form that you'd like support. The earlier you do this the better, so that the Housing Alliance can find a good solution in plenty of time before the webinar starts.

Important housing hearings:

SB 5407 (Sen. Frockt) Preservation of housing options - Outlaws discrimination based on tenants use of rental or income supports. HEARING: January 11, 8 am in the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance

• To comment on this bill: https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill//5407

ABOUT: In Washington, King  County and some cities have local ordinances  that prohibit  a  landlord  from  discriminating  against  a  tenant  who  receives a Section 8 subsidy, and some ordinances include additional types of government assistance. This bill would broaden those protections and extend them statewide.
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Capital Budget - Legislators failed to pass the capital budget last session, delaying critical investments in our affordable housing supply through the Housing Trust Fund.

ESHB 1075 (House version of the capitol budget). The capitol budget is up for a vote Wednesday in the House Committee on the Capital Budget. If it passes, the bill will be considered for a floor vote by all House members.The bill would make $106.7 million available for affordable housing projects under the Housing Trust Fund. 

• $2.2 million is set aside for competitive housing projects that benefit people with developmental disabilities.
• $24.4 million is set aside for housing projects that provide supportive housing and case-management services for people with chronic mental illness. (There is a high percentage of dual diagnosis of both developmental disabilities and mental illness)
• To read a summary of the House proposed capital budget: http://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/Budget/Detail/2018/hcSummaryDocs_0104.pdf 
  
• To comment on this bill: https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill//1075

SB 6090 (NEW Senate version of the capitol budget). There is a public hearing scheduled for January 11 at 3:30 pm in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means. The bill could come up for a vote on the floor as early as Friday, January 12. It invests the same amount in the Housing Trust Fund, with similar set asides to benefit people with developmental disabilities and mental illness. (A summary is not yet available)

• To comment on this bill: https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill//6090

FYI: A Hirst compromise is still in the works, but progress has been made over the last month. "Hirst" refers to a court decision that affects access to well water in rural areas. Last year, the Senate refused to vote on the capitol budget over failure to reach agreement on rural water rights.


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HB 2040 (Rep. Frame) Increasing notice of termination - This extends written notice of rental termination from 20 days to 30 days, and if the tenant has occupied the residence for 2 or more years, to 60 days.

• To comment on this bill: https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill//2040

YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN ...

• 2018 Housing Alliance Legislative Priorities

• Save the date - The Housing and Homelessness Housing Day is February 1. Register here.

• Housing Action Alerts - You can sign up for alerts from the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance here.

The Arc of King County is member of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance and sits on its public policy committee.