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Sine Die part 2 - A Disappointing Budget

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Housing Alliance Public Policy Team

Lawmakers gavelled an end to the 2016 Legislative Session late on Tuesday (3/29/16) after passing supplemental capital and operating budgets.

While we are pleased to see some very important investments in affordable housing and homelessness programs, especially for homeless youth, overall the budget compromise is disappointing. Washington is facing a housing affordability crisis and homelessness has reached emergency levels in many communities across the state. This budget fails to adequately invest in the solutions we need to address this crisis. Both the House and Senate had budget options on the table that would have made a real difference in addressing homelessness and public will has never been higher – people recognize that we need to do more. The legislature missed an opportunity.

Below you will find our full statement to the press, followed by a comprehensive table comparing all the budget proposals from the 2016 Legislative Session.

 

Statement to the press

Investments in affordable housing and homelessness in the compromise operating and capital budgets are a small step forward in recognizing the crisis afflicting tens of thousands of families and individuals in communities across Washington. However, these investments fail to expand the proven solutions we need to address homelessness.

The supplemental budgets fall far short of addressing the existing need on the streets and in communities across our state. The original House Operating Budget proposal (HB 2376) was passed by the Democratic-majority House of Representatives and included an additional $37.5 million for affordable housing and supportive services for those in need. The Bring Washington Home Act, (SB 6647) proposed by Senate Democratic Leader Sharon Nelson (D-34, Maury Island) would have invested an additional $186.8 million in a range of affordable housing solutions, homelessness outreach and intervention, and supportive services. Either of these earlier proposals would have made a significant positive impact in the lives of the families and individuals across Washington who are homeless or at risk of becoming so - but the Republican-controlled State Senate refused to give either proposal serious consideration beyond a cursory public hearing.

The final compromise Capital and Operating Budgets passed by the Legislature does total approximately $15 Million for affordable housing and homelessness services. Some of the investments and re-appropriation of funds support important youth homelessness programs, including: $2 Million for the Homeless Student Stability Act (HB 1682), $1.028 Million for HOPE Beds for homeless youth, and $800,000 for Street Youth Services. Unfortunately, the vast majority of this is from existing program funding and does not actually invest new resources in proven solutions to homelessness.  

The final compromise Capital Budget (HB 2380) provides an additional $8 million for affordable housing, including for the Housing Trust Fund, which will fund affordable homes through a competitive grant process and will also fund four specific projects including two youth shelters. Additionally a new program is created, modeled from a similar program in Oregon, which provides incentives for landlords to rent to tenants relying on federal Housing Choice (section 8) vouchers by funding reimbursement for damages to units that exceed normal wear and tear. This new program seeks to help break down unnecessary and unfair barriers to housing by addressing the unfounded fears of landlords that low-income renters cause more damage to units.

Overall, these budgets do not keep pace with the growing need in Washington State.

Recent data from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction shows that 35,511 pubic school children were homeless at some point in the last school year. During the recent point in time count in January, 4,505 people were counted outside in the middle of the night, after the shelters were full in King County. That represented a 19% increase over 2015. Snohomish County saw a 54% increase in unsheltered homelessness in that same period. Kitsap County saw a 30% increase, including a doubling of people living unsheltered.

Significantly greater investment is needed to address this crisis. The Washington Low Income Housing Alliance will continue to work with elected officials toward meaningful, comprehensive solutions. 

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2016 Legislative Session Budget Proposals

BUDGET ITEM

GOVERNOR BUDGET – 12.17.15

HOUSE BUDGET – 2.22.16

SENATE BUDGET - 2.24.16 

SENATE
BUDGET -
3.11.16

FINAL BUDGET -
3.29.16

FUND SOURCE

HOUSING & ESSENTIAL NEEDS

 

No Change

No Change

No Change

No Change No Change General Fund

AGED, BLIND, & DISABLED PROGRAM

 

No Change

No Change

No Change

No Change No Change General Fund

MEDICAL CARE SERVICES

 

No Change

No Change

Analysis in Progress

No Change No Change General Fund

SSI FACILITATION SERVICES

 

No Change

No Change

No Change

No Change No Change General Fund

TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES

 

No Change

No Change

No Change

No Change No Change General Fund (State and Federal)

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOUSING SUPPORT & STEP DOWN SERVICES

+$2.8 Million

+$2.762 Million

 

+$2.762 Million

+$2.762 Million +2.762 Million $2 Million from General Fund, $762 from General Fund - Federal Approrpriation
AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
THE CATEGORICALLY NEEDY BLIND DISABLED AND COMMUNITY OPTIONS PROGRAM ENTRY SYSTEM (COPES) POPULATIONS ARE REMOVED FROM MANAGED CARE AND NOW COVERED UNDER FEE-FOR-SERVICE BEGINNING JULY 1, 2016 No Change No Change Yes. See section 213(1)(b)

Yes. See section 213(1)(b)

*language updated from 2.24.16 budget, but still could result in transfer to fee-for service.

No Change N/A
CONSOLIDATED HOMELESS GRANT

CONSOLIDATED HOMELESSNESS GRANT RESTORATION

 

Not Included

+$6.62 Million

+$7.466 Million

+$6.62 Million +$6.62 Million  $4.782 Million from the Home Security Fund and $1.838 Million from the Affordable Housing for All Account (Commerce)

CONSOLIDATED HOMELESSNESS GRANT YOUTH INVESTMENT

 

Not Included

+$787,000

Not Included

+$787,000 +$787,000 Home Security Fund

EMERGENCY HOMELESSNESS INVESTMENTS FUNDED VIA BUDGET STABILIZATION ACCOUNT WITH AUTHORIZATION FROM HB 2988                            

RAPID REHOUSING, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

 

Not Included

+$5 Million

Not Included

Not Included Not Included N/A

RAPID REHOUSING, FAMILIES

 

 

Not Included

+$2.5 Million

Not Included

Not Included Not Included N/A

RENTAL ASSISTANCE

 

Not Included

+$10 Million

Not Included

Not Included Not Included N/A

PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SERVICES & SHELTER

 

Not Included

+$19.729 Million

Not Included

Not Included Not Included N/A

YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT HOMELESSNESS INVESTMENTS

HOPE BEDS

 

Not Included

$1.028 Million for 23 HOPE Beds

+1.506 Million for 10 CRC & 18 HOPE Beds

+$1.028 Million for HOPE Beds and  +$1.028 Million for HOPE Beds and +$248,000 for licensing of additional HOPE and CRC beds $1.028 Million for HOPE Beds from the Home Security Fund
CRISIS RESIDENTIAL CENTER (CRC) BEDS Not Included Not Included See above +$714,000 for ten crisis residential centers beds +$714,000 for ten crisis residential centers beds Home Security Fund

YOUNG ADULT SHELTER BEDS

 

Not Included

$420,000

Not Included

+$420,000 +$420,000 $210,000 from the Home Security Fund and $210,000 from the General Fund

STREET YOUTH SERVICES

 

Not Included

$800,000

+555,000
($120,000 set aside for South King County)

+$800,000 ($120,000 set aside for South King County) +$800,000 ($120,000 set aside for South King County) General Fund

HOMELESS STUDENT STABILITY ACT FUNDING (HB 1682)

 

Not Included

+$4 Million

Not Included

Not Included +$2 Million $1 Million for Home Security Fund and $1 Million from General Fund
HOUSING TRUST FUND TRANSFER TO HOME SECURITY FUND AND/OR GENERAL FUND
DURING THE 2015-2017 BIENNIUM, THE LEGISLATURS MAY TRANSFER FROM THE WASHINGTON HOUSING TRUST FUND TO THE HOME SECURITY FUND ACCOUNT AND TO THE STATE GENERAL FUND SUCH AMOUNTS AS REFLECT THE EXCESS BALANCE IN THE FUND. Not Included Not Included Not Included Not Included Section 936, page 324 N/A
OTHER WASHINGTON HOUSING TRUST ACCOUNT TRANSFERS (THIS ACCOUNT FUNDS O&M AND HOUSING TRUST FUND PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT, AMONG OTHER THINGS)
HOUSING TRUST ACCOUNT TRANSFER TO GENERAL FUND 0 0 -$1 Million -$1 Million -$3 Million N/A
HOUSING TRUST ACCOUNT TRANSFER TO HOME SECURITY FUND 0 0 -$4 Million -$4 Million -$7 Million N/A

MEDCAID WAIVER FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING (1115 WAIVER REQUEST SUBMITTED BY DSHS AND HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY)

BUDGET LANGUAGE RESTRICTING USE OF ANY NEW FEDERAL FUNDS OBTAINED FROM THIS WAIVER N/A N/A Yes. See section 213(1)(c) Yes. See section 213(1)(c) - (g) Yes. See section 213(1)(c) - (g) N/A
 

 

CAPITAL BUDGET ITEM

GOVERNOR BUDGET – 12.17.15

HOUSE CAPITAL BUDGET – 2.24.16

SENATE CAPITAL BUDGET –
2.24.16

Final Budget - 3.29.16 Fund Source

WEATHERIZATION MATCHMAKER PROGRAM

+$5 Million

0

0

0 N/A

HOUSING TRUST FUND PORTFOLIO PRESERVATION PROGRAM

+$2.5 Million

0

0

0 N/A

RAPID HOUSING IMPROVEMENTS TO BRING PRIVATE MARKET RENTAL HOMES INTO COMPLIANCE WITH ESTABLISHED HOUSING STANDARDS

+$1.5 Million

0

0

0 N/A

RAPID HOUSING ACQUISITION DEMONSTRATION TO DEVELOP CONGREGATE SMALL UNIT DWELLINGS OR CONVERT SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES INTO MULTI-FAMILY HOMES

+$1.275 Million

0

0

0 N/A

HOUSING TRUST FUND

+$1 Million
For Affordable Senior Housing

-$4.3 Million

0

+3.5 Million $.5 Million from State Taxable Building Construction Account and $3 Million from Washington Housing Trust Account (Commerce)
Housing Trust Fund project set-asides (total dollars, see bill for project details, HB 2380 section 1005) 0 -$4.3 Million 0 -$4.75 Million Housing Trust Fund

LANDLORD MITIGATION FUND (ONLY ACCESSIBLE IN JURISDICTIONS THAT PROHIBIT RENTAL SOURCE OF INCOME DISCRIMINATION)

+$125,000

+$125,000 (from Commerce's Housing Trust Account)

0

+$125,000 Washington Housing Trust  Account (Commerce)

STUDY OF HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR VETERANS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS & THE CONVERSION OF UNITS TO PROVIDE PSH FOR GERIATRIC VETERANS WITH PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS

+$100,000

+$100,000 (from Commerce’s Housing Trust Account)

0

+$100,000 Washington Housing Trust  Account (Commerce)

HOMELESS YOUTH COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM (INCLUDES SET ASIDES FOR $1.03/COCOON HOUSE AND $1.545/PSKS YOUTH FACILITY IN SEATTLE)

0

+$5 Million

0

0 N/A

RIVERTON PARK HOME-OWNERSHIP PROJECT

0

+$600,000 

0

+$600,000  Ultra energy efficient affordable housing appropriation

MENTAL HEALTH HOUSING HEALTH HOMES

0

0

+$7.5 million 

+$6 Million See section 1005 9(a) $3 Million from State Taxable Building Construction Account and $3 Million from the Washington Housing Trust Account (Commerce)

MENTAL HEALTH HOUSING, FIRST AND DENNY

0

0

$500,000

$500,000 State Building Construction Account
Health Home, Pierce County (contingent on Pierce County passing the MID per RCW 82.14.460) 0 0 0 +$1.5 Million  State Taxable Building Construction Account

 

 


 

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