Lawmakers call for more spending to address homelessness and affordable housing

Washington state would boost spending on programs to combat homelessness and provide more affordable housing through several changes to the two-year budget that House and Senate Democrats proposed on Monday.

Homelessness has reached a “crisis stage” in communities across the state and the Legislature also needs to help those at risk of losing their homes, said House Majority Leader Pat Sullivan, D-Covington.

Gov. Jay Inslee proposed adding $146 million to the current budget for homelessness programs. Democrats control both chambers of the Legislature.

The House Democratic plan calls for committing an additional $235 million to homelessness and housing programs. Senate Democrats want to spend an additional $140 million by increasing shelter capacity and keeping vulnerable families housed. It’s the largest chunk of new spending proposed, Democrats from both chambers said.

The Legislature has until March 12 to adopt any revisions to the budget, which lawmakers refer to as “supplemental.”

Inslee said in a written statement: “When I rolled out my supplemental budget in December, I prioritized homelessness and sheltering options for local governments. I am glad to see the House and Senate budget proposals also recognize that funding for homelessness and housing are essential this year. I am confident that the final budget will bring people indoors.”

On a per-capita basis, Washington ranks fifth in the nation in unsheltered homeless individuals, with about 10,000 people on any given night living outside or in places unfit for human habitation, according to the state.

“Homelessness is a chronic issue all up and down the West Coast as housing prices continue to increase,” said state Rep. June Robinson, D-Everett. “This will make a difference in local communities. Will it end homelessness? Probably not, but I am confident it will give our communities tools that they can use to really make a difference and get people to safe shelter.”

As part of their budget plan, House Democrats call for adding $100 million to the state Housing Trust Fund, which will be spent on new affordable housing projects, homeless shelters, and programs that maintain affordable housing stock.

If adopted, that would increase total spending in the trust fund to $275 million over two years, said state Rep. Timm Ormsby, a Spokane Democrat who is chair of the House Appropriations Committee.

Ormsby recalled how he met with constituents last year after the Legislature approved the two-year budget.

“I left there with a spring in my step, thinking we had done a good job – only to turn the corner and there was a couple huddled under a blanket to keep warm and it struck me we have more work to do,” he said.

Also on Monday, Senate Democrats released their plan to spend an additional $140 million on homelessness and housing programs.

State Sen. John Braun of Centralia is the highest-ranking Republican on the budget-writing Senate Ways & Means Committee.

“While there are good things in this proposal, that’s to be expected from so much additional spending,” Braun said in a statement. “I see an appropriation related to the homelessness situation, yet the majority is ignoring the public-safety and accountability components that should be part of the comprehensive response taxpayers deserve.

“To focus only on funding reflects the same one-dimensional approach the governor has taken,” Braun added.

Rachael Myers, executive director of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, said the House Democratic budget makes ”historic level investments in solutions to homelessness, especially housing, which is the most important tool for solving homelessness.”

Both budgets released by the House and Senate Democrats include an increase for rental assistance for the Housing and Essential Needs program, although the House has a larger increase, Myers said. The program provides access to personal health and hygiene items, as well as rental assistance for low-income individuals who are unable to work for at least 90 days due to a physical and/or mental incapacity.

“Overall both budgets show a strong commitment to solving homelessness and we hope the Senate will match the House because that’s ... the scale we need to make an impact,” Myers said in an email.

This story was originally published February 25, 2020 at 5:45 AM.