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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-2030 Local Homeless Housing Plan Guidance 2.0 1 2025-2030 LOCAL HOMELESS HOUSING PLAN GUIDANCE 2025-2030 Local Homeless Housing Plan Guidance Table of Contents Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Background ............................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Research, evaluations, and reports to inform local plans ............................................................................................. 2 Requirements ........................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Components........................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Process ................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Reporting ................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Annual report on the local plan ........................................................................................................................................... 7 Annual report on expenditures ........................................................................................................................................... 7 Glossary ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Background Washington state law requires that each local homeless housing task force develop and recommend to its local government legislative authority a five-year local homeless housing plan ("local plan") for its jurisdictional area.1 The local plan provides goals, strategies, activities, performance measures and timelines to eliminate homelessness within the entire county.2 The local plan must be consistent with this local plan guidance issued by the Department of Commerce (Commerce).3 Commerce last published guidance for the planning period 2019-2024 in December 2018. In preparation for the next planning cycle, Commerce has prepared this guidance for counties, cities and local homeless housing task forces to support alignment between state and local homeless housing efforts. Beginning October 2024 through June 2026, Commerce has contracted with a consultant to provide support and technical assistance to local governments with preparing their local plans in accordance with this guidance. Commerce also has funding available for local governments who would like to engage a consultant to assist in developing or updating their local plans. There are several ways to meet the local homeless housing plan requirement:  Develop a new local plan consistent with this state guidance 1 RCW 43.185C.050, https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.185C.050 2 RCW 43.185C.080 provides additional requirements when a city asserts responsibility for homeless response within its borders, and does not intend to adopt the county plan to guide its response efforts, https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.185C.080 3 RCW 43.185C.160, https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.185C.160 Housing Division 2025-2030 LOCAL HOMELESS HOUSING PLAN GUIDANCE 2025-2030 LOCAL HOMELESS HOUSING PLAN GUIDANCE 2  Develop an addendum to an existing plan to fulfill the missing elements required by this state guidance. An addendum is subject to the "Requirements" included in this guidance.  In cases where the existing local plan uses different language and structure, but is otherwise consistent, develop a written explanation mapping the current local plan language and structure to this guidance. While counties (and applicable cities) may delegate the preparation and adoption of their respective local plans, they maintain the ultimate responsibility for the homeless housing program within their borders.4 Where necessary this guidance clearly delineates between counties and cities. Otherwise, Commerce uses the term "local government" to refer to: Any local governmental entity leading the jurisdictional response to homelessness: a county, city, special purpose district OR any governmental entity leading the jurisdictional response to homelessness via interlocal agreement or memorandum of understanding. Research, evaluations, and reports to inform local plans Commerce encourages local governments to review and reference the following reports, studies, and evaluations when preparing their local plans. These documents contain recommendations to address homelessness and housing insecurity applicable to local homeless crisis response systems: US Interagency Council on Homelessness's Strategic Plan "All In" William R. Ruckelshaus Center's "Pathways to Housing Security Report" Year 3 "Homeless Service Provider Trauma Study" prepared by Uncommon Bridges (Building Changes) "Homeless Service Provider Workforce Study" prepared by Uncommon Bridges (Building Changes) "California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness", University of California San Francisco "Homelessness is a Housing Problem" by Gregg Colburn and Clayton Aldern SAMSHA evidence based practices documents on Permanent Supportive Housing SAMHSA catalog of evidence based practices for people experiencing homelessness Commerce's Permanent Supportive Housing Toolkit- Permanent Supportive Housing “Toolkit” - Washington State Department of Commerce "Assessment of the housing needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians in Washington", report to the Washington State Legislature 4 Ibid. 2025-2030 LOCAL HOMELESS HOUSING PLAN GUIDANCE 3 Requirements Components Planning period The local plan must cover the five-year period from 2025 to 2030, unless otherwise approved in writing by Commerce. Plan objectives The local plan must include the 2024-2029 State Homeless Housing Strategic Plan objectives: Promote an equitable, accountable and transparent homeless crisis response system Strengthen the homeless service provider workforce Prevent episodes of homelessness whenever possible Prioritize assistance based on the greatest barriers to housing stability and the greatest risk of harm Seek to house everyone in a stable setting that meets their needs Local plans may include additional objectives developed by local government and local homeless housing task forces. All local plan objectives must have specific strategies or actions to achieve them, timelines for completion and measures of success or performance. Note: Please review the 2024-2029 State Homeless Housing Strategic Plan objectives to learn how Commerce will work to achieve the same objectives. For local governments that have adopted a new or revised local plan prior to the publication of this guidance, Commerce requires that local governments:  Develop and publish written explanations mapping the current local plan language and structure to the requirements in this guidance; OR  Adopt addendum that incorporates the requirements from this guidance into the local plan. Estimates of service levels Purpose: To provide baseline information about activities and investments to eliminate homelessness within the jurisdiction. The local plan must provide a summary of current investments to address homelessness and housing instability by project type and by funding source. For this component, the local plan must use HMIS project type definitions. The local plan must also use an analysis tool prepared by Commerce's consultant based on the annual Golden Report produced by Commerce for the state fiscal year 2024 (to be published in winter 2025). Local governments will report changes from the baseline in their annual reports (due each December). Survey of fund sources for homeless housing assistance programs and capital projects Purpose: To communicate resources available to the local government, whether actual or potential, to implement the local homeless housing plan and support the local homeless crisis response system. 2025-2030 LOCAL HOMELESS HOUSING PLAN GUIDANCE 4 The local plan must include a listing of all fund sources, actual or potential, available to the local government and the local homeless housing task force that could be used for homeless housing and assistance. At a minimum, the plan must provide information related to the following:  Local funds authorized by RCW 82.14.460 (Mental Health Sales and Use Tax)  Local funds authorized by RCW 82.14.530 (Housing and Related Services Sales and Use Tax)  Local funds authorized by RCW 82.14.540 (Affordable and Supportive Housing Sales and Use Tax)  Local funds authorized by RCW 84.52.105 (Local Housing Levies)  Local funds authorized by RCW 36.22.250 (Document Recording Surcharge, Local Portion)  Consolidated Homeless Grant/System Demonstration Grant (including Housing and Essential Needs)  Emergency Solutions Grant  Community Development Block Grant  Continuum of Care Grant (except Balance of State counties)  Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project Grants (except Balance of State counties) Note: For reference, the Washington State Department of Revenue provides the "Local Sales Tax Distributions Tool" and the "Local taxing district levy detail". For the fund sources listed previously, the local plan must document whether a local government does not meet the required criteria. Unless otherwise approved by Commerce, the local plan must include this information using the following table format: Fund source Source Status Allowable uses Amount received SFY24 Actual/projected received SFY25 Definitions of table headers:  Fund source: Official name of the fund source per law, regulation or funder  Source: Private, local, state, or federal source  Status: Not eligible/NA, not receiving/collecting, receiving/collecting, expired  Allowable uses: Operating, and/or capital  Amount received SFY24: Total dollars received from the fund source during state fiscal year 2024  Actual/Projected received SFY25: Total dollars received or expected from fund source during state fiscal year 2025 Local plans may add other information about funding sources beyond the items above. Estimates of permanent and emergency housing needs Purpose: To support a clear linkage between long-term land use planning and the development of homeless housing capital projects in consultation with homeless housing service providers. Local government departments must work collaboratively with other county homeless housing staff and area nonprofits to develop estimates of:  Future permanent housing need for households making 0-30% of the Area Median Income (AMI);  Future permanent housing need operated as a Permanent Supportive Housing model for households making 0-30% of the AMI; AND 2025-2030 LOCAL HOMELESS HOUSING PLAN GUIDANCE 5  Future emergency housing need (i.e., emergency shelter and emergency housing). The local plan must derive these estimates from Commerce's work pursuant to RCW 36.70A.070(2)(a). Such estimates must provide for the entire geographic jurisdictions covered by the local plan, except as otherwise provided in statute, and may break down the estimates by city, urban growth area, or other geography. The local plan must include a five-year estimate in line with the local plan planning period and may include the full 20-year projection of needed housing units provided by Commerce. Note: For reference, Commerce provides guidance for cities and counties on establishing housing targets for their communities in their comprehensive plan updates. See: "Updating GMA Housing Elements - Washington State Department of Commerce", and final projections of housing needs using the "Housing All Planning Tool (HAPT)". Prioritization criteria of homeless housing capital projects Purpose: To support the development of homeless housing capital developments that comply with the Growth Management Act and local comprehensive plans on sites with compatible uses, appropriate infrastructure and necessary amenities. Where local homeless housing plans identify actions related to the pre-development, development or construction of homeless housing capital projects, the local plan must identify guiding principles for all projects, such as consistency with local plans and regulations including comprehensive plans, zoning, and countywide planning policies and state laws. The plan must include the criteria and procedure used to evaluate prospective homeless housing capital projects. Such criteria must include all relevant factors that the homeless housing task force and local government would take into consideration when prioritizing homeless housing capital projects for public investment (e.g. new construction, expansion, renovation, rehabilitation or preservation). Documentation of public engagement The local plan must include a record of public engagement and outreach efforts that supported its development and finalization. Process Notice of plan development The local government must publish a notice announcing the development of its next local plan on its website and social media. The notice must include the expected date of adoption by the local government. Key stakeholder participation and collaboration The following stakeholders must be included in the development of the local plan pursuant to RCW 43.185C.080 and RCW 43.185C.160:  The two largest cities within the county or multi-county region, except where a city has asserted responsibility pursuant to RCW 43.185C.160  In cases where cities have:  Asserted responsibility for homeless response with their borders pursuant to RCW 43.185C.160; AND  Have elected to prepare their own local plan separate from the county or multi-county plan. 2025-2030 LOCAL HOMELESS HOUSING PLAN GUIDANCE 6 Such cities must coordinate with and include representatives of the local government coordinating the county or multi-county homeless response in the development of the city's local plan prior to its adoption.  One or more representatives from each of the following groups or organizations must be invited to participate in the development of the local plan:  Individuals with lived experience of homelessness (not including those already participating as members of the local homeless housing task force)  A representative of a Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organization OR a Managed Care Organization  A representative from a By and For organization within the local government's jurisdiction (Commerce may grant an exemption if a local government cannot fulfill this requirement)  Emergency shelter operators  Domestic violence/sexual assault shelter and housing providers  Homeless outreach providers  Rental subsidy administrators  Permanent Supportive Housing providers and operators  Coordinated entry staff  The list of representatives and their participation must be documented in the local plan. The local government must offer compensation to individuals who qualify as low-income or have experienced homelessness and participate in the development of the local plan. The provision of compensation must closely follow the State Office of Equity's guidelines. Notice of public hearing The local government must hold a public hearing prior to the adoption of the final local plan. Notice of a public hearing must be published at least 30 days in advance of the adoption of the final local plan in the local newspaper of record, on the local government's website and on its social media accounts. The local plan must document good faith efforts to distribute that public notice to people who have experienced homelessness and housing instability. Plan finalization and adoption Following applicable law and these guidelines, the local government must:  Ensure the local plan is adopted  Submit the final local plan or addendum to Commerce no later than December 2025 2025-2030 LOCAL HOMELESS HOUSING PLAN GUIDANCE 7 Reporting Annual report on the local plan Per RCW 43.185C.045(3), local governments are responsible for annually reporting updates to Commerce on the status of their local plan and its activities for the prior fiscal year. This report must include “the current condition of homelessness in its jurisdiction, its performance in meeting the goals in its local homeless housing plan, and any significant changes made to the plan.” This report is due to Commerce in December each year and will be posted on Commerce's website. Annual report on expenditures Along with each local government’s annual report, Commerce will continue to post information on the local government's homelessness spending from all sources by project during the prior state fiscal year. This is called the Annual Expenditure Report and Commerce sends a document to lead entities after the end of each fiscal year for review. The Annual Expenditure Report is posted on Commerce’s website. 2025-2030 LOCAL HOMELESS HOUSING PLAN GUIDANCE 8 Glossary Addendum: A supplement to the plan By and for organization: By-and-For Organizations are operated by and for the communities they serve. Their primary mission and history is serving a specific community. They are culturally based, directed, and substantially controlled by individuals from the population they serve. At the core of their programs, these organizations embody the community’s central cultural values. In the affordable housing context, these communities must have demonstrated disproportionate representation in homelessness, housing instability, and housing affordability. Based on national research and state-wide data, the following groups or communities have demonstrated disproportionate representation in homelessness, housing instability and housing affordability:  Black, Indigenous and People of Color including people identified as socially disadvantaged as defined in 13 CFR Sec. 124.103.  People with disabilities  People who are part of the d/Deaf and hard of hearing community  People with behavioral health conditions, including substance use disorder  People who identify as LGBTQIA+  Survivors of family violence and/or intimate partner violence  Incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals  Undocumented individuals, immigrants and refugees, and mixed-immigration-status families and communities Federally recognized Tribes and Nations are sovereign governments and are not considered By-and-For organizations. Comprehensive plan: a generalized coordinated land use policy statement of the governing body of a county or city that is adopted pursuant to Chapter 36.70A RCW. Emergency housing: Temporary indoor accommodations for individuals or families who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless that is intended to address the basic health, food, clothing and personal hygiene needs of individuals or families. Emergency housing may or may not require occupants to enter into a lease or an occupancy agreement. Growth Management Act: A series of state statutes, first adopted in 1990, that requires fast-growing cities and counties to develop a comprehensive plan to manage their population growth. It is primarily codified under Chapter 36.70A RCW, although it has been amended and added to in several other parts of the RCW. HB 1220 (2021): More information can be found on Commerce's website. 2025-2030 LOCAL HOMELESS HOUSING PLAN GUIDANCE 9 Local government: Any municipal corporation leading the local jurisdictional response to homelessness: a county, city special purpose district OR any governmental entity leading the local jurisdictional response to homelessness through an interlocal agreement or a memorandum of understanding. Local homeless housing plan: A plan aimed at eliminating homelessness prepared by a local homeless housing task force and recommended for adoption to its local government legislative authority. Local homeless housing task forces: A body created by a county or city government to develop a five-year homeless housing plan addressing short-term and long-term housing for homeless households. Objective: a component of the local plan that describes an aim, goal, or end of action that would result in the reduction of or elimination of homelessness. Planning period: The period covered by a planning activity. For local homeless housing plans, this is 2025- 2030. State Plan, State Homeless Housing Strategic Plan: A plan prepared and published by Commerce that outlines statewide goals and performance measures. State fiscal year, SFY: the state's 12-month accounting period running from July 1 to June 30 of the following year.