(1) The home security fund account is created in the state treasury, subject to appropriation. The state's portion of the surcharge established in RCW 36.22.179 and 36.22.1791 and 36.22.176 must be deposited in the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only for homeless housing programs as described in this chapter, including the eviction prevention rental assistance program established in RCW 43.185C.185.
(2)(a) By December 15, 2021, the department, in consultation with stakeholder groups specified in RCW 43.185C.185(2)(c), must create a set of performance metrics for each county receiving funding under RCW 36.22.176. The metrics must target actions within a county's control that will prevent and reduce homelessness, such as increasing the number of permanent supportive housing units and increasing or maintaining an adequate number of noncongregate shelter beds.
(b)(i) Beginning July 1, 2023, and by July 1st every two years thereafter, the department must award funds for project-based vouchers for nonprofit housing providers and related services, rapid rehousing, and housing acquisition under RCW 36.22.176 to eligible grantees in a manner that 15 percent of funding is distributed as a performance-based allocation based on performance metrics created under (a) of this subsection, in addition to any base allocation of funding for the county.
(ii) Any county that demonstrates that it has met or exceeded the majority of the target actions to prevent and reduce homelessness over the previous two years must receive the remaining 15 percent performance-based allocation. Any county that fails to meet or exceed the majority of target actions to prevent and reduce homelessness must enter into a corrective action plan with the department. To receive its performance-based allocation, a county must agree to undertake the corrective actions outlined in the corrective action plan and any reporting and monitoring deemed necessary by the department. Any county that fails to meet or exceed the majority of targets for two consecutive years after entering into a corrective action plan may be subject to a reduction in the performance-based portion of the funds received in (b)(i) of this subsection, at the discretion of the department in consultation with stakeholder groups specified in RCW 43.185C.185(2)(c). Performance-based allocations unspent due to lack of compliance with a corrective action plan created under this subsection (2)(b) may be distributed to other counties that have met or exceeded their target actions.
(3) The department must distinguish allotments from the account made to carry out the activities in RCW 43.330.167, 43.330.700 through 43.330.715, 43.330.911, 43.185C.010, 43.185C.250 through 43.185C.320, and 36.22.179(1)(b).
(4) The office of financial management must secure an independent expenditure review of state funds received under RCW 36.22.179(1)(b) on a biennial basis. The purpose of the review is to assess the consistency in achieving policy priorities within the private market rental housing segment for housing persons experiencing homelessness. The independent reviewer must notify the department and the office of financial management of its findings. The first biennial expenditure review, for the 2017-2019 fiscal biennium, is due February 1, 2020. Independent reviews conducted thereafter are due February 1st of each even-numbered year.
(5) During the 2019-2021 and 2021-2023 fiscal biennia, expenditures from the account may also be used for shelter capacity grants.
[ 2021 c 334 § 980; 2021 c 214 § 4; 2020 c 357 § 915; 2018 c 85 § 6; 2014 c 200 § 2; 2007 c 427 § 6; 2005 c 484 § 10.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2021 c 214 § 4 and by 2021 c 334 § 980, 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).
Conflict with federal requirements—Effective date—2021 c 334: See notes following RCW 43.79.555.
Findings—Intent—Department of commerce and William D. Ruckelshaus center examination of homelessness—Reports—2021 c 214: See note following RCW 36.22.176.
Effective date—2020 c 357: See note following RCW 43.79.545.
Intent—Short title—2018 c 85: See notes following RCW 43.185C.045.