Bill > HB1177

This bill amends the existing child welfare housing assistance program to expand and improve support for families involved with or at risk of entering the child welfare system. The program provides housing vouchers, rental assistance, navigation, and support services to eligible families, including parents with children who are dependent under child welfare laws or at risk of foster care placement due to housing instability. The bill allows the department or contracted entities to continue providing housing assistance even after child welfare services have concluded. It requires the department to establish formal implementation procedures and operate the program in both eastern and western counties of Washington state. The bill mandates annual reporting to the legislature starting November 1, 2024, with detailed data including program distribution by race, geography, ethnicity, and gender, waiting list information, and funding allocation breakdowns. Additionally, the bill requires the department to attempt to serve all eligible families and eliminate waiting lists, subject to available funding. Families can be referred to the program by various professionals, including caseworkers, attorneys, and social workers, and the program's design involves consultation with a diverse stakeholder group to ensure equitable and effective implementation.

Budget and Finance, Education, Labor and Employment

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1177&Year=2025&Initiative=false