RCW 43.185C.005
Findings.
Despite laudable efforts by all levels of government, private individuals, nonprofit organizations, and charitable foundations to end homelessness, the number of homeless persons in Washington is unacceptably high. The state's homeless population, furthermore, includes a large number of families with children, youth, and employed persons. The legislature finds that the fiscal and societal costs of homelessness are high for both the public and private sectors, and that ending homelessness should be a goal for state and local government.
The legislature finds that there are many causes of homelessness, including a shortage of affordable housing; a shortage of family-wage jobs which undermines housing affordability; a lack of an accessible and affordable health care system available to all who suffer from physical and mental illnesses and chemical and alcohol dependency; domestic violence; and a lack of education and job skills necessary to acquire adequate wage jobs in the economy of the twenty-first century.
The support and commitment of all sectors of the statewide community is critical to the chances of success in ending homelessness in Washington. While the provision of housing and housing-related services to the homeless should be administered at the local level to best address specific community needs, the legislature also recognizes the need for the state to play a primary coordinating, supporting, and monitoring role. There must be a clear assignment of responsibilities and a clear statement of achievable and quantifiable goals. Systematic statewide data collection on homelessness in Washington must be a critical component of such a program enabling the state to work with local governments to count homeless persons and assist them in finding housing.
The systematic collection and rigorous evaluation of homeless data, a search for and implementation through adequate resource allocation of best practices, and the systematic measurement of progress toward interim goals and the ultimate goal of ending homelessness are all necessary components of a statewide effort to end homelessness in Washington by July 1, 2015.
[ 2005 c 484 § 1.]
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 43 - State Government—Executive
Chapter 43.185C - Homeless Housing and Assistance.
43.185C.020 - Homeless housing program.
43.185C.045 - Homeless housing strategic plan—Annual report of department and local governments.
43.185C.050 - Local homeless housing plans.
43.185C.060 - Home security fund account—Performance metrics—Expenditure review.
43.185C.061 - Home security fund account—Exemptions from set aside.
43.185C.070 - Grant applications.
43.185C.080 - Homeless housing grants—Participation.
43.185C.090 - Allocation of grant moneys—Issuance of criteria or guidelines.
43.185C.100 - Technical assistance.
43.185C.110 - Progress reports—Uniform process.
43.185C.130 - Protection of state's interest in grant program projects.
43.185C.140 - Public assistance eligibility—Payments exempt.
43.185C.150 - Expenditures within authorized funds—Existing expenditures not reduced or supplanted.
43.185C.160 - County homeless housing task forces—Homeless housing plans—Reports by counties.
43.185C.170 - Interagency council on homelessness—Duties—Reports.
43.185C.180 - Washington homeless client management information system.
43.185C.185 - Eviction prevention rental assistance program.
43.185C.190 - Affordable housing for all account.
43.185C.200 - Transitional housing assistance to offenders—Pilot program.
43.185C.210 - Transitional housing operating and rent program.
43.185C.215 - Transitional housing operating and rent account.
43.185C.220 - Essential needs and housing support program—Distribution of funds.
43.185C.230 - Verification of eligibility—Medical care services.
43.185C.255 - Youth services—Multidisciplinary team—Duties.
43.185C.2951 - Youth services—Crisis residential centers—Incremental increase in beds.
43.185C.300 - Youth services—Secure facilities—Limit on reimbursement or compensation.
43.185C.315 - Youth services—HOPE centers—Establishment—Requirements.
43.185C.320 - Youth services—HOPE centers—Eligibility—Minors.
43.185C.330 - Youth services—HOPE centers—Responsible living skills programs—Awarding of contracts.
43.185C.901 - Conflict with federal requirements—2005 c 484.