(1) The department must use moneys from the housing trust fund and other legislative appropriations to finance in whole or in part any loans or grant projects that will provide housing for persons and families with special housing needs and with incomes at or below fifty percent of the median family income for the county or standard metropolitan statistical area where the project is located. At least thirty percent of these moneys used in any given funding cycle must be for the benefit of projects located in rural areas of the state as defined by the department. If the department determines that it has not received an adequate number of suitable applications for rural projects during any given funding cycle, the department may allocate unused moneys for projects in nonrural areas of the state.
(2) Activities eligible for assistance from the housing trust fund and other legislative appropriations include, but are not limited to:
(a) New construction, rehabilitation, or acquisition of low and very low-income housing units;
(b) Rent subsidies;
(c) Matching funds for social services directly related to providing housing for special-need tenants in assisted projects;
(d) Technical assistance, design and finance services and consultation, and administrative costs for eligible nonprofit community or neighborhood-based organizations;
(e) Administrative costs for housing assistance groups or organizations when such grant or loan will substantially increase the recipient's access to housing funds other than those available under this chapter;
(f) Shelters and related services for the homeless, including emergency shelters and overnight youth shelters;
(g) Mortgage subsidies, including temporary rental and mortgage payment subsidies to prevent homelessness;
(h) Mortgage insurance guarantee or payments for eligible projects;
(i) Down payment or closing cost assistance for eligible first-time home buyers;
(j) Acquisition of housing units for the purpose of preservation as low-income or very low-income housing;
(k) Projects making housing more accessible to families with members who have disabilities; and
(l) Remodeling and improvements as required to meet building code, licensing requirements, or legal operations to residential properties owned and operated by an entity eligible under RCW 43.185A.040, which were transferred as described in RCW 82.45.010(3)(t) by the parent of a child with developmental disabilities.
(3) Preference must be given for projects that include an early learning facility, as defined in RCW 43.31.565.
(4) Legislative appropriations from capital bond proceeds may be used only for the costs of projects authorized under subsection (2)(a), (i), and (j) of this section, and not for the administrative costs of the department, except that during the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium, the department may use up to three percent of the appropriations from capital bond proceeds for administrative costs associated with application, distribution, and project development activities of the housing assistance program.
(5) Moneys from repayment of loans from appropriations from capital bond proceeds may be used for all activities necessary for the proper functioning of the housing assistance program except for activities authorized under subsection (2)(b) and (c) of this section.
(6) Administrative costs associated with application, distribution, and project development activities of the department may not exceed three percent of the annual funds available for the housing assistance program. Reappropriations must not be included in the calculation of the annual funds available for determining the administrative costs.
(7) Administrative costs associated with compliance and monitoring activities of the department may not exceed one-quarter of one percent annually of the contracted amount of state investment in the housing assistance program.
[ 2021 c 332 § 7032; 2021 c 130 § 5; 2018 c 223 § 4; 2017 3rd sp.s. c 12 § 13; 2013 c 145 § 2; 2011 1st sp.s. c 50 § 953; 2006 c 371 § 236. Prior: 2005 c 518 § 1801; 2005 c 219 § 1; 2002 c 294 § 6; 1994 c 160 § 1; 1991 c 356 § 4; 1986 c 298 § 6.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2021 c 130 § 5 and by 2021 c 332 § 7032, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).
Effective date—2021 c 332: See note following RCW 43.19.501.
Findings—2018 c 223: See note following RCW 82.45.010.
Findings—Intent—Effective date—2017 3rd sp.s. c 12: See notes following RCW 43.31.565.
Effective dates—2011 1st sp.s. c 50: See note following RCW 15.76.115.
Effective date—2006 c 371: See note following RCW 27.34.330.
Effective date—2005 c 518: See note following RCW 28A.600.110.
Findings—2002 c 294: See note following RCW 36.22.178.