HomeMy WebLinkAbout030623 FW_ A week of critical opportunities
________________________________
From: Rob Huff, Housing Alliance
Sent: Monday, March 6, 2023 2:45:16 PM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
To: Kate Dean
Subject: A week of critical opportunities
________________________________
ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
________________________________
Read on for a review of Week 8, and other highlights.
<https://default.salsalabs.org/X481ee510-9892-4be5-869e-2f91e820ffee/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e>
<https://default.salsalabs.org/api/organization/d6d9d7bf-83bb-4447-9fae-f1a870cc96f0/logo/data>
Dear Kate,
Today is the start of the ninth week of the session, and this week is a critical opportunity to push House Bill 1389 forward for a full vote of the House of Representatives before the
March 8 cutoff. It's also an important week for budget advocacy!
Take action today!
We have extended the deadline for our organizational allies to sign on to a budget support letter until the end of the business day today. The letter urges legislators to support the
Housing Alliance budget priorities, including the need for the legislature to include $160 million in its final budget to prevent cuts to homeless services. Without this investment,
homeless services could be cut by up to 50% this year – something we cannot accept.
TAKE ACTION - Organizations can take action by Monday at 5pm by using this sign on letter. <https://default.salsalabs.org/Td9f7dc46-602c-4ed6-8833-a149d2b09da4/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e>
All advocates can weigh in by asking your lawmakers to prioritize these important housing and homelessness budget needs. This is a tight budget year, so our many big asks need to have
thousands of advocates across the state weighing in. Please take action today:
TAKE ACTION - State lawmakers must make bold investments to solve the affordable housing and homelessness crisis. <https://default.salsalabs.org/T7de079f3-8a7b-46f7-b0d7-b78aa0651646/d78f4f95-c470-42
e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e>
What is coming this week:
HB 1260/Alvarado <https://default.salsalabs.org/T861021f4-a01a-4162-a438-d24977fd668b/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e> , the bill that would end the payback requirement for low
income and disabled people who receive cash assistance from the Aged, Blind and Disabled program, passed out of the House with bipartisan support and will now move to the Senate Human
Services Committee!
The bill is scheduled for a hearing on Thursday, March 9, beginning at 8 a.m.
TAKE ACTION – Sign in PRO before 7 a.m. on March 9: https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=Senate&mId=30906&aId=153001&caId=21930&tId=3 <https://default.salsalabs.org/T07167fe2-ff5d-4833-a8
63-9c15a1988e5b/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e>
Other legislative highlights from last week
Priority bills:
* HB 1124/Peterson <https://default.salsalabs.org/T172464fb-c0c5-4cee-b39c-9862799e729c/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e> , the bill that would require a 6-month notification period
for any significant rent increase of 5% or more, is yet to be scheduled for a vote on the House floor.
Key support bills:
* HB 1474/Taylor <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tb3dfad9f-fff3-4921-8dc1-5cea27140416/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e> , the Covenant Investment Act, passed out of the House and
will now move to the Senate Housing Committee for consideration.
* HB 1110/Bateman <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tfffdf4c5-611e-48cf-a14a-446a64b74f71/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e> , the missing middle housing bill, is yet to be scheduled
for a vote on the House floor.
* SB 5198/Frame <https://default.salsalabs.org/T7aa64680-a82e-4d88-8fbd-585457787c5a/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e> , the bill concerning the sale or lease of manufactured housing
communities, passed out of the Senate and will now move to the House.
Highlights from the Friday meeting:
During last week’s meeting, Michele Thomas provided an overview of the budget process, key decision makers, and key budget asks from the Housing Alliance policy priorities, including:
* The state should make an investment of $400 million for the Housing Trust Fund and pass HB 1628 to create a permanent fund source for affordable housing.
* Pass HB 1628/Chopp <https://default.salsalabs.org/Teb2f2ad6-d44b-4ab9-b592-8acec77a0de6/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e> : Creates a new permanent fund source for the Housing
Trust Fund would ensure significant, predictable investments. Revenue generated from a new state level Real Estate Excise Tax on properties sold for $5 million or more.
Also authorizes new local option to fund affordable housing, with a new local Real Estate Excise Tax aka "REET 3"
* The state should invest $4 billion into affordable homes by passing SB 5202/Trudeau <https://default.salsalabs.org/T363b8abf-6ce2-48e0-a5bd-ba3cc9331c3c/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e>
or HB 1149/Tharinger <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tf7d25587-fe7a-49cf-9f52-5c300fa9c9f0/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e> .
* The State's Operating Budget should invest approximately $10 million for Black, Indigenous, and other people of color led organizations for organizational support and capacity building
to address inequitable access to Capital Budget (Housing Trust Fund) dollars.
* The state should protect homelessness prevention funding, strengthen safety-net programs, and invest in our workforce.
* Address the 50% decline in funding for homelessness prevention with General Fund dollars. The state's document recording fees are experiencing an almost 50% reduction and the state
must take action to fill the gap to prevent a loss of services.
* Cost is approximately $160 million
* HB 1260/Alvarado <https://default.salsalabs.org/T1edb47da-5554-46db-ad37-ada856b4e711/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e> : Change the Aged, Blind and Disabled program to end the
requirement that extremely low-income, disabled people pay back the benefit.
* Cost is $40 million
* Increase state contracts with providers of homeless services and permanent supportive housing to increase wages and benefits to stabilize our workforce.
* Cost is approximately $40 million
* The state should invest in eviction prevention.
* Continue funding for pre-eviction civil legal aid to assist tenants who are not yet eligible for right to counsel (because no eviction has yet been filed):
* Illegal lockouts are dramatically on the rise, costing tenants their homes and increasing homelessness. Civil legal aid is critical when no eviction has been filed.
* Ask is $4.4 million
* Increase funding for statewide Right to Counsel to properly operate the program, meet statutory requirements and serve eligible tenants.
* Ask is $5 million
* The state should increase investment in Housing & Essential Needs (HEN) rental assistance.
* Include a budget proviso to prevent unspent HEN funds from being lost into the general fund.
* Increase funding to match the one-time investments in the last two years. This would need an additional $11 million over the Governor's increase of $15 million to prevent cuts from
the current funding level.
Michele shared that requests for funding in the state operating budget are really hard this year, and that the Senate has already killed a number of good bills because they cost money.
She added that with many federal pandemic relief funds coming to an end this year, the adjustment back to funding key priorities with state-only funds is difficult.
<https://default.salsalabs.org/481ee510-9892-4be5-869e-2f91e820ffee/414b6b8c-e6b9-4fb9-9f16-e58972529c74.jpg> Friday’s meeting also included a visit from Senator Joe Nguyen (D - 34)
live during voting on the Senate floor. Sen. Nguyen urged us to be prepared to move budget asks forward – to be ready to share stories as well as the fiscal context of any ask. He also
shared a reading list of books that he uses to inspire and guide his work:
1. “Thinking Fast and Slow,” by Daniel Kahneman: https://www.powells.com/searchresults?keyword=thinking%20fast%20and%20slow <https://default.salsalabs.org/T0d20e70f-18d8-4573-b95a-6e98f2a464ad/d78f4f
95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e>
2. “Nudge,” by Richard H. Thaler: https://www.powells.com/searchresults?keyword=Nudge <https://default.salsalabs.org/T4a0727eb-991c-4ca3-a6a1-d0624dcf95db/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e>
3. “Master of the Senate: The Years of Lyndon Johnson,” by Robert Caro: https://www.powells.com/book/master-of-the-senate-the-years-of-lyndon-johnson-9780394528366 <https://default.salsalabs.org/T078
7d85a-778f-4211-97d9-2bd4e7c53360/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e>
Watch for additional sign on letters and timely action alerts this week!
In solidarity,
Rob Huff
Communications Specialist
Follow Us
<https://www.facebook.com/groups/residentactionproject/> <https://twitter.com/intent/follow?screen_name=RAPWashington> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/3027173/>
WASHINGTON LOW INCOME HOUSING ALLIANCE
304 Alaskan Way S., Suite 302
Seattle, Washington 98104
(206) 442-9455
info@wliha.org
View this email in your web browser <https://housingalliance.salsalabs.org/2023legsessionweek8?wvpId=d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e>
Unsubscribe <https://housingalliance.salsalabs.org/manage-your-subscription?eId=481ee510-9892-4be5-869e-2f91e820ffee&eType=EmailBlastContent&sId=d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e>
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is the start of the ninth week of the session, and this week is a critical opportunity to push House Bill 1389 forward for a full vote of the House of Representatives before the March
8 cutoff. It's also an important week for budget advocacy!
Take action today!
We have extended the deadline for our organizational allies to sign on to a budget support letter until the end of the business day today. The letter urges legislators to support the
Housing Alliance budget priorities, including the need for the legislature to include $160 million in its final budget to prevent cuts to homeless services. Without this investment,
homeless services could be cut by up to 50% this year – something we cannot accept.
TAKE ACTION - Organizations can take action by Monday at 5pm by using this sign on letter. <https://default.salsalabs.org/Td9f7dc46-602c-4ed6-8833-a149d2b09da4/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e>
All advocates can weigh in by asking your lawmakers to prioritize these important housing and homelessness budget needs. This is a tight budget year, so our many big asks need to have
thousands of advocates across the state weighing in. Please take action today:
TAKE ACTION - State lawmakers must make bold investments to solve the affordable housing and homelessness crisis. <https://default.salsalabs.org/T7de079f3-8a7b-46f7-b0d7-b78aa0651646/d78f4f95-c470-42
e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e>
What is coming this week:
HB 1260/Alvarado <https://default.salsalabs.org/T861021f4-a01a-4162-a438-d24977fd668b/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e> , the bill that would end the payback requirement for low
income and disabled people who receive cash assistance from the Aged, Blind and Disabled program, passed out of the House with bipartisan support and will now move to the Senate Human
Services Committee!
The bill is scheduled for a hearing on Thursday, March 9, beginning at 8 a.m.
TAKE ACTION – Sign in PRO before 7 a.m. on March 9: https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=Senate&mId=30906&aId=153001&caId=21930&tId=3 <https://default.salsalabs.org/T07167fe2-ff5d-4833-a8
63-9c15a1988e5b/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e>
Other legislative highlights from last week
Priority bills:
* HB 1124/Peterson <https://default.salsalabs.org/T172464fb-c0c5-4cee-b39c-9862799e729c/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e> , the bill that would require a 6-month notification period
for any significant rent increase of 5% or more, is yet to be scheduled for a vote on the House floor.
Key support bills:
* HB 1474/Taylor <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tb3dfad9f-fff3-4921-8dc1-5cea27140416/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e> , the Covenant Investment Act, passed out of the House and
will now move to the Senate Housing Committee for consideration.
* HB 1110/Bateman <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tfffdf4c5-611e-48cf-a14a-446a64b74f71/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e> , the missing middle housing bill, is yet to be scheduled
for a vote on the House floor.
* SB 5198/Frame <https://default.salsalabs.org/T7aa64680-a82e-4d88-8fbd-585457787c5a/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e> , the bill concerning the sale or lease of manufactured housing
communities, passed out of the Senate and will now move to the House.
Highlights from the Friday meeting:
During last week’s meeting, Michele Thomas provided an overview of the budget process, key decision makers, and key budget asks from the Housing Alliance policy priorities, including:
* The state should make an investment of $400 million for the Housing Trust Fund and pass HB 1628 to create a permanent fund source for affordable housing.
* Pass HB 1628/Chopp <https://default.salsalabs.org/Teb2f2ad6-d44b-4ab9-b592-8acec77a0de6/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e> : Creates a new permanent fund source for the Housing
Trust Fund would ensure significant, predictable investments. Revenue generated from a new state level Real Estate Excise Tax on properties sold for $5 million or more.
Also authorizes new local option to fund affordable housing, with a new local Real Estate Excise Tax aka "REET 3"
* The state should invest $4 billion into affordable homes by passing SB 5202/Trudeau <https://default.salsalabs.org/T363b8abf-6ce2-48e0-a5bd-ba3cc9331c3c/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e>
or HB 1149/Tharinger <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tf7d25587-fe7a-49cf-9f52-5c300fa9c9f0/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e> .
* The State's Operating Budget should invest approximately $10 million for Black, Indigenous, and other people of color led organizations for organizational support and capacity building
to address inequitable access to Capital Budget (Housing Trust Fund) dollars.
* The state should protect homelessness prevention funding, strengthen safety-net programs, and invest in our workforce.
* Address the 50% decline in funding for homelessness prevention with General Fund dollars. The state's document recording fees are experiencing an almost 50% reduction and the state
must take action to fill the gap to prevent a loss of services.
* Cost is approximately $160 million
* HB 1260/Alvarado <https://default.salsalabs.org/T1edb47da-5554-46db-ad37-ada856b4e711/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e> : Change the Aged, Blind and Disabled program to end the
requirement that extremely low-income, disabled people pay back the benefit.
* Cost is $40 million
* Increase state contracts with providers of homeless services and permanent supportive housing to increase wages and benefits to stabilize our workforce.
* Cost is approximately $40 million
* The state should invest in eviction prevention.
* Continue funding for pre-eviction civil legal aid to assist tenants who are not yet eligible for right to counsel (because no eviction has yet been filed):
* Illegal lockouts are dramatically on the rise, costing tenants their homes and increasing homelessness. Civil legal aid is critical when no eviction has been filed.
* Ask is $4.4 million
* Increase funding for statewide Right to Counsel to properly operate the program, meet statutory requirements and serve eligible tenants.
* Ask is $5 million
* The state should increase investment in Housing & Essential Needs (HEN) rental assistance.
* Include a budget proviso to prevent unspent HEN funds from being lost into the general fund.
* Increase funding to match the one-time investments in the last two years. This would need an additional $11 million over the Governor's increase of $15 million to prevent cuts from
the current funding level.
Michele shared that requests for funding in the state operating budget are really hard this year, and that the Senate has already killed a number of good bills because they cost money.
She added that with many federal pandemic relief funds coming to an end this year, the adjustment back to funding key priorities with state-only funds is difficult.
<https://default.salsalabs.org/481ee510-9892-4be5-869e-2f91e820ffee/414b6b8c-e6b9-4fb9-9f16-e58972529c74.jpg> Friday’s meeting also included a visit from Senator Joe Nguyen (D - 34)
live during voting on the Senate floor. Sen. Nguyen urged us to be prepared to move budget asks forward – to be ready to share stories as well as the fiscal context of any ask. He also
shared a reading list of books that he uses to inspire and guide his work:
1. “Thinking Fast and Slow,” by Daniel Kahneman: https://www.powells.com/searchresults?keyword=thinking%20fast%20and%20slow <https://default.salsalabs.org/T0d20e70f-18d8-4573-b95a-6e98f2a464ad/d78f4f
95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e>
2. “Nudge,” by Richard H. Thaler: https://www.powells.com/searchresults?keyword=Nudge <https://default.salsalabs.org/T4a0727eb-991c-4ca3-a6a1-d0624dcf95db/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e>
3. “Master of the Senate: The Years of Lyndon Johnson,” by Robert Caro: https://www.powells.com/book/master-of-the-senate-the-years-of-lyndon-johnson-9780394528366 <https://default.salsalabs.org/T078
7d85a-778f-4211-97d9-2bd4e7c53360/d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e>
Watch for additional sign on letters and timely action alerts this week!
In solidarity,
Rob Huff
Communications Specialist
Follow Us
<https://www.facebook.com/groups/residentactionproject/> <https://twitter.com/intent/follow?screen_name=RAPWashington> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/3027173/>
WASHINGTON LOW INCOME HOUSING ALLIANCE
304 Alaskan Way S., Suite 302
Seattle, Washington 98104
(206) 442-9455
info@wliha.org
View this email in your web browser <https://housingalliance.salsalabs.org/2023legsessionweek8?wvpId=d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e>
Unsubscribe <https://housingalliance.salsalabs.org/manage-your-subscription?eId=481ee510-9892-4be5-869e-2f91e820ffee&eType=EmailBlastContent&sId=d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e>
or Manage Your Preferences <https://housingalliance.salsalabs.org/manage-your-subscription?eId=481ee510-9892-4be5-869e-2f91e820ffee&eType=EmailBlastContent&sId=d78f4f95-c470-42e9-947d-6619e8b97b6e>