There is a little bit of good news to report. We are grateful to Senator Hans Zeiger for sponsoring Senate Bill 5361, legislation that would enact recommendations of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee’s (JLARC) review of the differences between the costs of building non-profit and for-profit housing. The bill would require more cost reporting (something we asked for last session) and would require a look at how increase for-profit developer participation in tax credit projects. You can read the tex of the bill here: http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2019-20/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5361.pdf

We are also appreciative of Senator Joe Nguyen who has sponsored legislation, Senate Bill 5441, to extend the Early Release Voucher from 3 months to 6 months. The ERV program is run by the State Department of Corrections and gives qualified people leaving prison a voucher for three months. We think the voucher should be extended to at least 12 months with full funding. You’ll remember that Seattle For Growth has been an advocate of this program and extending the voucher for years. You can read the text of the bill here: http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2019-20/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5441.pdf

These bills represent some progress in Olympia for efficiency in the housing subsidy system, something we’ve advocated for a long time. We need to reduce costs, and that may mean allowing for-profit builders to build affordable housing And helping people leaving prison with rent is much more important and helpful than more rules and regulation. Remember, efficiency is compassionate.