The House Finance Committee heard public testimony on Substitute House Bill 1880, which would create housing benefit districts.
Bill Information: Concerning housing benefit districts. Bill Information Page (link)
Sponsors: Ryu, Pollet, Hackney, Valdez
Status: Public hearing held in the House Committee on Finance Fri., Feb. 4 at 8 a.m.
Full Senate Bill Report
Bill Analysis
The bill analysis and bill report are prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.
The legislative authority of a city meeting location and population criteria may establish a housing benefit district (district) for the purpose of acquiring, land banking, redevelopment contracting, selling, improving, funding, and leasing land for the creation of affordable low-income, and middle-income housing and community development projects consistent with existing housing plans. The boundaries of the district are coextensive with the city's boundaries, and the city legislative authority serves as the governing body.
Affordable housing means residential housing for which the monthly costs, including utilities
other than telephone, do not exceed 30 percent of the monthly income.
Special Purpose Districts
A special-purpose district (SPD) is a limited purpose local government separate from a city, town, or county government. The SPDs provide a limited number of public facilities or services, depending on the particular purpose for which the district was created. The SPDs are generally created through the county or city legislative authority to meet a specific need of the local community.
Click here for more information on SHB 1880.
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jhender
Without knowing more about this bill one might think "Special Housing District" is synonymous with "ghetto". Wouldn't it make more sense to use these funds to help subsidize housing for low income people in a manner that integrates them into the greater community?
Saturday, February 5, 2022 Report this
JulesJames
Constructing cheaply-built housing for "Special Housing Districts" with government dollars is building blight. Investing into Section 8 vouchers is building hope and community.
Saturday, February 5, 2022 Report this
RuthApter
We've all seen what happens with low income housing projects. We definitely don't want to build ghettos. And all the studies I've read have said when you integrate subsidized housing in more upscale neighborhoods that there's a direct benefit to the people living in some of the better neighborhoods. For one thing you'll meet neighbors who have more resources than you instead of being isolated and surrounded by people they're all in the same boat. The schools tend to be better. What they found in Seattle it was if you move to poor person into an upscale zip code the outcome was surprisingly better.
Sunday, February 6, 2022 Report this