reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
WA Rev Code § 43.185A.120 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.185A - Affordable Housing Program.|43.185A.120 - Affordable housing and community facilities rapid response loan program.

RCW 43.185A.120 Affordable housing and community facilities rapid response loan program.(1) The affordable housing and community facilities rapid response loan program is created in the department to assist eligible organizations, described under RCW 43.185A.040, to purchase land or real property for affordable housing and community facilities preservation or development in rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods or communities with a significant low-income population that is threatened with displacement by such gentrification. The department shall contract with the Washington state housing finance commission to establish and administer the program.(2) Loans or grants may be made through the affordable housing and community facilities rapid response loan program to purchase land or real property for the preservation or development of affordable housing or community facilities, including reasonable costs and fees.(3) The Washington state housing finance commission, with approval from the department, may adopt guidelines and requirements that are necessary to administer the affordable housing and community facilities rapid response loan program.(4) A loan or grant recipient must preserve affordable rental housing acquired or developed under this section as affordable housing for a minimum of thirty years.(5) Interest rates on loans made under this section may be as low as zero percent but may not exceed three percent. All loan repayment moneys received must be deposited into a program account established by the Washington state housing finance commission for the purpose of making new loans and grants under this section.(6) By December 1st of each year, beginning in 2008, the Washington state housing finance commission shall report to the department and the appropriate committees of the legislature: The number of loans and grants that were made in the program; for what purposes the loans and grants were made; to whom the loans and grants were made; and when the loans are expected to be paid back.[ 2008 c 112 § 2.]
WA Rev Code § 43.185A.900 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.185A - Affordable Housing Program.|43.185A.900 - Short title.

RCW 43.185A.900 Short title.This chapter may be known and cited as the affordable housing act.[ 1991 c 356 § 9.]
WA Rev Code § 43.185A.902 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.185A - Affordable Housing Program.|43.185A.902 - Conflict with federal requirements—1991 c 356.

RCW 43.185A.902 Conflict with federal requirements—1991 c 356.If any part of this act is found to be in conflict with federal requirements which are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state, the conflicting part of this act is inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict and with respect to the agencies directly affected, and this finding does not affect the operation of the remainder of this act in its application to the agencies concerned. The rules under this act shall meet federal requirements which are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the state.[ 1991 c 356 § 19.]
WA Rev Code § 43.185B.005 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.185B - Washington Housing Policy Act.|43.185B.005 - Finding.

RCW 43.185B.005 Finding.(1) The legislature finds that:(a) Housing is of vital statewide importance to the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the state;(b) Reducing homelessness and moving individuals and families toward stable, affordable housing is of vital statewide importance;(c) Safe, affordable housing is an essential factor in stabilizing communities;(d) Residents must have a choice of housing opportunities within the community where they choose to live;(e) Housing markets are linked to a healthy economy and can contribute to the state's economy;(f) Land supply is a major contributor to the cost of housing;(g) Housing must be an integral component of any comprehensive community and economic development strategy;(h) State and local government must continue working cooperatively toward the enhancement of increased housing units by reviewing, updating, and removing conflicting regulatory language;(i) State and local government should work together in developing creative ways to reduce the shortage of housing;(j) The lack of a coordinated state housing policy inhibits the effective delivery of housing for some of the state's most vulnerable citizens and those with limited incomes; and(k) It is in the public interest to adopt a statement of housing policy objectives.(2) The legislature declares that the purposes of the Washington housing policy act are to:(a) Provide policy direction to the public and private sectors in their attempt to meet the shelter needs of Washington residents;(b) Reevaluate housing and housing-related programs and policies in order to ensure proper coordination of those programs and policies to meet the housing needs of Washington residents;(c) Improve the delivery of state services and assistance to very low-income and low-income households and special needs populations;(d) Strengthen partnerships among all levels of government, and the public and private sectors, including for-profit and nonprofit organizations, in the production and operation of housing to targeted populations including low-income and moderate-income households;(e) Increase the supply of housing for persons with special needs;(f) Encourage collaborative planning with social service providers;(g) Encourage financial institutions to increase residential mortgage lending; and(h) Coordinate housing into comprehensive community and economic development strategies at the state and local level.[ 2005 c 484 § 22; 1993 c 478 § 1.]NOTES:Findings—Conflict with federal requirements—Effective date—2005 c 484: See RCW 43.185C.005, 43.185C.901, and 43.185C.902.Persons with handicaps: RCW 35.63.220, 35A.63.240, 36.70.990, 36.70A.410.
WA Rev Code § 43.185B.007 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.185B - Washington Housing Policy Act.|43.185B.007 - Goal.

RCW 43.185B.007 Goal.It is the goal of the state of Washington to coordinate, encourage, and direct, when necessary, the efforts of the public and private sectors of the state and to cooperate and participate, when necessary, in the attainment of a decent home in a healthy, safe environment for every resident of the state. The legislature declares that attainment of that goal is a state priority.[ 1993 c 478 § 2.]
WA Rev Code § 43.185B.009 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.185B - Washington Housing Policy Act.|43.185B.009 - Objectives.

RCW 43.185B.009 Objectives.The objectives of the Washington housing policy act shall be to attain the state's goal of a decent home in a healthy, safe environment for every resident of the state by strengthening public and private institutions that are able to:(1) Develop an adequate and affordable supply of housing for all economic segments of the population, including the destitute;(2) Identify and reduce the causal factors preventing the state from reaching its goal;(3) Assist very low-income and special needs households who cannot obtain affordable, safe, and adequate housing in the private market;(4) Encourage and maintain homeownership opportunities;(5) Reduce life-cycle housing costs while preserving public health and safety;(6) Preserve the supply of existing affordable housing;(7) Provide housing for special needs populations;(8) Ensure fair and equal access to the housing market;(9) Increase the availability of mortgage credit at low interest rates; and(10) Coordinate and be consistent with the goals, objectives, and required housing element of the comprehensive plan in the state's growth management act in RCW 36.70A.070.[ 2005 c 484 § 23; 1993 c 478 § 3.]NOTES:Findings—Conflict with federal requirements—Effective date—2005 c 484: See RCW 43.185C.005, 43.185C.901, and 43.185C.902.
WA Rev Code § 43.185B.010 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.185B - Washington Housing Policy Act.|43.185B.010 - Definitions.

RCW 43.185B.010 Definitions.Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.(1) "Affordable housing" means residential housing that is rented or owned by a person or household whose monthly housing costs, including utilities other than telephone, do not exceed thirty percent of the household's monthly income.(2) "Department" means the department of commerce.(3) "Director" means the director of commerce.(4) "Nonprofit organization" means any public or private nonprofit organization that: (a) Is organized under federal, state, or local laws; (b) has no part of its net earnings inuring to the benefit of any member, founder, contributor, or individual; and (c) has among its purposes significant activities related to the provision of decent housing that is affordable to very low-income, low-income, or moderate-income households and special needs populations.(5) "Regulatory barriers to affordable housing" and "regulatory barriers" mean any public policies (including those embodied in statutes, ordinances, regulations, or administrative procedures or processes) required to be identified by the state or local government in connection with its strategy under section 105(b)(4) of the Cranston-Gonzalez national affordable housing act (42 U.S.C. 12701 et seq.).(6) "Tenant-based organization" means a nonprofit organization whose governing body includes a majority of members who reside in the housing development and are considered low-income households.[ 2009 c 565 § 39; 1995 c 399 § 104; 1993 c 478 § 4.]
WA Rev Code § 43.185B.030 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.185B - Washington Housing Policy Act.|43.185B.030 - Affordable housing advisory board—Duties.

RCW 43.185B.030 Affordable housing advisory board—Duties.The affordable housing advisory board shall:(1) Analyze those solutions and programs that could begin to address the state's need for housing that is affordable for all economic segments of the state, and special needs populations, including but not limited to programs or proposals which provide for:(a) Financing for the acquisition, rehabilitation, preservation, or construction of housing;(b) Use of publicly owned land and buildings as sites for affordable housing;(c) Coordination of state initiatives with federal initiatives and financing programs that are referenced in the Cranston-Gonzalez national affordable housing act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12701 et seq.), as amended, and development of an approved housing strategy as required in the Cranston-Gonzalez national affordable housing act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12701 et seq.), as amended;(d) Identification and removal, where appropriate and not detrimental to the public health and safety, or environment, of state and local regulatory barriers to the development and placement of affordable housing;(e) Stimulating public and private sector cooperation in the development of affordable housing; and(f) Development of solutions and programs affecting housing, including the equitable geographic distribution of housing for all economic segments, as the advisory board deems necessary;(2) Consider both homeownership and rental housing as viable options for the provision of housing. The advisory board shall give consideration to various types of residential construction and innovative housing options, including but not limited to manufactured housing;(3) Review, evaluate, and make recommendations regarding existing and proposed housing programs and initiatives including but not limited to tax policies, land use policies, and financing programs. The advisory board shall provide recommendations to the director, along with the department's response in the annual housing report to the legislature required in RCW 43.185B.040; and(4) Prepare and submit to the director, by each December 1st, beginning December 1, 1993, a report detailing its findings and make specific program, legislative, and funding recommendations and any other recommendations it deems appropriate.[ 1993 c 478 § 6.]
WA Rev Code § 43.185B.040 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.185B - Washington Housing Policy Act.|43.185B.040 - Housing advisory plan—Report to legislature.

RCW 43.185B.040 Housing advisory plan—Report to legislature.(1) The department shall, in consultation with the affordable housing advisory board created in RCW 43.185B.020, prepare and from time to time amend a five-year housing advisory plan. The purpose of the plan is to document the need for affordable housing in the state and the extent to which that need is being met through public and private sector programs, to facilitate planning to meet the affordable housing needs of the state, and to enable the development of sound strategies and programs for affordable housing. The information in the five-year housing advisory plan must include:(a) An assessment of the state's housing market trends;(b) An assessment of the housing needs for all economic segments of the state and special needs populations;(c) An inventory of the supply and geographic distribution of affordable housing units made available through public and private sector programs;(d) A status report on the degree of progress made by the public and private sector toward meeting the housing needs of the state;(e) An identification of state and local regulatory barriers to affordable housing and proposed regulatory and administrative techniques designed to remove barriers to the development and placement of affordable housing; and(f) Specific recommendations, policies, or proposals for meeting the affordable housing needs of the state.(2)(a) The five-year housing advisory plan required under subsection (1) of this section must be submitted to the legislature on or before February 1, 1994, and subsequent plans must be submitted every five years thereafter.(b) Each February 1st, beginning February 1, 1995, the department shall submit an annual progress report, to the legislature, detailing the extent to which the state's affordable housing needs were met during the preceding year and recommendations for meeting those needs.[ 1993 c 478 § 12.]
WA Rev Code § 43.185B.900 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.185B - Washington Housing Policy Act.|43.185B.900 - Short title.

RCW 43.185B.900 Short title.This chapter may be known and cited as the "Washington housing policy act."[ 1993 c 478 § 24.]
WA Rev Code § 43.185C.005 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.185C - Homeless Housing and Assistance.|43.185C.005 - Findings.

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.]
WA Rev Code § 43.185C.020 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.185C - Homeless Housing and Assistance.|43.185C.020 - Homeless housing program.

RCW 43.185C.020 Homeless housing program.There is created within the department the homeless housing program to develop and coordinate a statewide strategic plan aimed at housing homeless persons. The program shall be developed and administered by the department with advice and input from the affordable housing advisory board established in RCW 43.185B.020.[ 2005 c 484 § 5.]
WA Rev Code § 43.185C.050 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.185C - Homeless Housing and Assistance.|43.185C.050 - Local homeless housing plans.

RCW 43.185C.050 Local homeless housing plans.(1) Each local homeless housing task force shall prepare and recommend to its local government legislative authority a five-year homeless housing plan for its jurisdictional area, which shall be not inconsistent with the department's statewide guidelines issued by December 1, 2018, and thereafter the department's five-year homeless housing strategic plan, and which shall be aimed at eliminating homelessness. The local government may amend the proposed local plan and shall adopt a plan by December 1, 2019. Performance in meeting the goals of this local plan shall be assessed annually in terms of the performance measures published by the department. Local plans may include specific local performance measures adopted by the local government legislative authority, and may include recommendations for any state legislation needed to meet the state or local plan goals.(2) Eligible activities under the local plans include:(a) Rental and furnishing of dwelling units for the use of homeless persons;(b) Costs of developing affordable housing for homeless persons, and services for formerly homeless individuals and families residing in transitional housing or permanent housing and still at risk of homelessness;(c) Operating subsidies for transitional housing or permanent housing serving formerly homeless families or individuals;(d) Services to prevent homelessness, such as emergency eviction prevention programs including temporary rental subsidies to prevent homelessness;(e) Temporary services to assist persons leaving state institutions and other state programs to prevent them from becoming or remaining homeless;(f) Outreach services for homeless individuals and families;(g) Development and management of local homeless plans including homeless census data collection; identification of goals, performance measures, strategies, and costs and evaluation of progress towards established goals;(h) Rental vouchers payable to landlords for persons who are homeless or below thirty percent of the median income or in immediate danger of becoming homeless; and(i) Other activities to reduce and prevent homelessness as identified for funding in the local plan.[ 2018 c 85 § 5; 2005 c 484 § 8.]NOTES:Intent—Short title—2018 c 85: See notes following RCW 43.185C.045.
WA Rev Code § 43.185C.061 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.185C - Homeless Housing and Assistance.|43.185C.061 - Home security fund account—Exemptions from set aside.

RCW 43.185C.061 Home security fund account—Exemptions from set aside.Home security fund account funds appropriated to carry out the activities of RCW 43.330.700 through 43.330.715, 43.330.911, 43.185C.010, 43.185C.250 through 43.185C.320, and 43.330.167 are not subject to the set aside under RCW 36.22.179(1)(b).[ 2015 c 69 § 27.]NOTES:Short title—2015 c 69: See RCW 43.330.911.
WA Rev Code § 43.185C.090 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.185C - Homeless Housing and Assistance.|43.185C.090 - Allocation of grant moneys—Issuance of criteria or guidelines.

RCW 43.185C.090 Allocation of grant moneys—Issuance of criteria or guidelines.The department shall allocate grant moneys from the *homeless housing account to finance in whole or in part programs and projects in approved local homeless housing plans to assist homeless individuals and families gain access to adequate housing, prevent at-risk individuals from becoming homeless, address the root causes of homelessness, track and report on homeless-related data, and facilitate the movement of homeless or formerly homeless individuals along the housing continuum toward more stable and independent housing. The department may issue criteria or guidelines to guide local governments in the application process.[ 2005 c 484 § 13.]NOTES:*Reviser's note: The "homeless housing account" was changed to the "home security fund account" by 2007 c 427 § 6.
WA Rev Code § 43.185C.100 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.185C - Homeless Housing and Assistance.|43.185C.100 - Technical assistance.

RCW 43.185C.100 Technical assistance.The department shall provide technical assistance to any participating local government that requests such assistance. Technical assistance activities may include:(1) Assisting local governments to identify appropriate parties to participate on local homeless housing task forces;(2) Assisting local governments to identify appropriate service providers with which the local governments may subcontract for service provision and development activities, when necessary;(3) Assisting local governments to implement or expand homeless census programs to meet homeless housing program requirements;(4) Assisting in the identification of "best practices" from other areas;(5) Assisting in identifying additional funding sources for specific projects; and(6) Training local government and subcontractor staff.[ 2005 c 484 § 14.]
WA Rev Code § 43.185C.110 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.185C - Homeless Housing and Assistance.|43.185C.110 - Progress reports—Uniform process.

RCW 43.185C.110 Progress reports—Uniform process.The department shall establish a uniform process for participating local governments to report progress toward reducing homelessness and meeting locally established goals.[ 2005 c 484 § 15.]
WA Rev Code § 43.185C.120 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.185C - Homeless Housing and Assistance.|43.185C.120 - Rules.

RCW 43.185C.120 Rules.The department may adopt such rules as may be necessary to effect the purposes of this chapter.[ 2005 c 484 § 16.]