Date of Adoption: June 18, 2001.

Purpose: To increase local flexibility and expand the scope of assistance to homeless families with children in the transitional housing, operating and rent (THOR) program.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 365-120-080.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapters 43.63A RCW, RCW 63A.650 [43.63A.650], and E2SHBa 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.

Reasons for this Finding: Local contractors and the THOR Advisory Committee have identified a need for more local flexibility in the use of operating subsidies. This amendment will raise the income eligibility limit from 30% to 50% of the area median (consistent with the THOR rental assistance limit) and the operating subsidies to 50% of the project's core operating budget. The funding allocations will not change. THOR contracts in thirty-one counties will be effective July 1, 2001. The CR-103 cannot be filed until September 24, 2001.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: July 1, 2001.

June 18, 2001

Martha Cline

Director

OTS-4960.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 00-05-020, filed 2/8/00, effective 3/10/00)

WAC 365-120-080   Eligibility for operating assistance for transitional housing.   (1) Projects must provide transitional housing in a structure designed for the targeted population of homeless families with children whose incomes are at or below ((thirty)) fifty percent of the area median income.

(2) Operating subsidies shall not exceed thirty percent of the project's core operating budget for the year.

(3) Rents shall not exceed ((thirty)) fifty percent of the income of the targeted population.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.63A RCW, RCW [43.]63A.650, and 1999 c 267. 00-05-020, 365-120-080, filed 2/8/00, effective 3/10/00.]

Washington State Code Reviser's Office