County praises state Legislature for new homeless housing assistance bill

April 21, 2005

County praises state Legislature for new homeless housing assistance bill

New program will help counties implement local homeless ten-year plans

Approximately $3 million annually will be available in King County to help fund local housing and homeless prevention services, thanks to new legislation adopted by the Washington State Legislature. The bill provides a powerful boost to regional ten-year plans to end homelessness, including the recently approved plan, "A Roof Over Every Bed in King County" released last month by the Committee to End Homelessness in King County.

"King County applauds the state Legislature for providing local jurisdictions with the funds to create or preserve desperately needed housing opportunities for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "This legislation demonstrates the growing commitment of individuals across our state who are joining together to create real solutions to homelessness. King County is pleased to be a partner with the state in this effort and grateful for the additional tools provided through this new program to help us begin implementation of our ten-year plan."

Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2163 (E2SHB 2163) creates a new state and local funding source to address homelessness statewide through a $10 surcharge for documents recorded by county auditors (typically real estate mortgages and housing transactions). Counties and cities that develop local or regional ten-year plans to end homelessness may retain a combined total of 60 percent of the surcharge to implement their plans. The remaining 40 percent will be used to create a state administered Homeless Housing Grant Program coordinated by the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development. These funds will be available to local governments on a competitive basis.

"It is only through sustained commitment that we will be truly able to end homelessness in our communities," said Sims. "We are grateful to Rep. Timm Ormsby (3rd District), the prime sponsor of this bill and also for the leadership of Rep. Mark Miloscia (30th District), the chair of the Housing Committee and Senator Rosemary McAuliffe (1st District) for their combined efforts to create bipartisan and statewide support for this important legislation."

According to the 2004 "One Night Count", which documents street homelessness as well as persons living in shelters and transitional housing, on any given night more than 8,300 people are estimated to be homeless in King County. This total includes 2,475 people in families with children, and more than 400 youth and young adults. About 2,500 people meet the definition of chronic homelessness. About 24,000 King County residents experience homelessness annually.

The goals and objectives of the state homeless housing plan are compatible with King County's ten-year plan to end homelessness. The Committee to End Homelessness in King County (CEHKC) is made up of representatives of nonprofit organizations, business, local governments, homeless advocates and the faith community. Initial leadership for the effort was provided by the Church Council of Greater Seattle, the City of Seattle, King County, United Way of King County, and local human service coalitions. King County was chosen by the CEHKC to oversee the implementation of the plan.

For more information on King County's Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness call Jeff Natter, CEHKC Director, at 206-205-5506 or go to www.cehkc.org.