Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 99-20-104.

Title of Rule: State funding of local emergency shelter and transitional housing, operating and rent programs.

Purpose: To amend WAC 365-120-080 for the transitional housing, operating and rent (THOR) program for homeless families with children to make to changes recommended by CTED and its Homeless Families Advisory Committee.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 43.63A RCW, RCW 43.63A.650, E2SHBa 1493 (chapter 267, Laws of 1999.)

Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 365-120 WAC.

Summary: Changes include raising the income eligibility limit for operating subsidies to 50% of the area median income and the operating subsidy limit to 50% of the project's core operating budget. This amendment has no impact on funding allocations.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: The Homeless Families Advisory Committee and all thirty-two program contractors, during a program workshop held on March 20 and 21, 2001, recommended the proposed changes. This amendment will allow for more local flexibility in the use of operating subsidies and permit more homeless families to access the THOR program.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Jennifer Turin (THOR), Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, (360) 725-2942; and Enforcement: Ray Price, Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, (360) 725-2912.

Name of Proponent: Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, governmental.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: Chapter 365-120 WAC, State funding of local emergency shelter and transitional housing, operating and rent programs. The transitional housing, operating and rent program provides housing assistance for homeless families with children through rental assistance and operating subsidies for transitional housing. The proposed changes will allow more homeless families to access the program and give local contractors more flexibility in using funds.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: The following changes were made to WAC 365-120-080 Eligibility for operating assistance for transitional housing: (1) Changed the income limit for the targeted population of homeless families with children from 30% of area median to 50% of area median. This change will allow more homeless families to access THOR program assistance. (2) Changed the maximum subsidy allowed for operating expenses of transitional housing for homeless families with children from 30% to 50%. This change will give program contractors increased flexibility in the use of THOR funds.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Since the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development has determined that there is no impact on small businesses through implementation of these changes, a small business economic impact statement is not necessary.

Section 201, chapter 403, Laws of 1995, does not apply to this rule adoption.

Hearing Location: Office of Community Development, 906 Columbia Street S.W., Conference Room 1, Olympia, WA 98504, on January 8, 2001 [2002], at 11:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: TDD (360) 753-2200.

Submit Written Comments to: Jennifer Turin, Program Manager, Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, 906 Columbia Street S.W., P.O. Box 48300, Olympia, WA 98504-8300.

Date of Intended Adoption: January 8, 2001 [2002].

November 27, 2001

Martha Choe

Director

OTS-4960.2

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)) fifty percent of the project's core operating budget for the year.

(3) Rents shall not exceed thirty 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