The Affordable Housing Consortium  works for you with the  state legislature in cooperation with the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance. We provide legislative testimony and ongoing communication with elected officials. We also sponsor events to create awareness and support, identify resources and impact public policy.

We research and identify barriers to safe, decent and affordable hosing for low and very low-income households. Using this information, we then propose both public and private initiatives intended to eliminate those barriers.

We evaluate the effectiveness of current state policy and how it impacts our current situation, and we provide support to those policies and programs that address our needs most successfully.

WRAP-UP OF 2009 LEGISLATIVE SESSION - from WLIHA:

The State Legislature adjourned on April 26^th, and while many of the budget cuts will increase the financial pressure on low-income families, many legislators clearly agreed that this was the wrong time to reduce help for people who are struggling the most.

By standing up for housing you stopped some of the worst cuts and even helped make some progress. Nearly 600 of you participated in the biggest Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day ever and more than 1,000 of you took action -  sending more than 3,000 messages to lawmakers about the Trust Fund, the budget, and vital policy bills.  Hundreds of you also called legislative hotline several times to reach out to your elected officials.

Here's a rundown of key housing and homelessness issues that were addressed during the legislative session:

The Housing Trust Fund:  The Housing Trust Fund was cut in half to $100 million for the 2009-2011 biennium.  This cut will hinder our ability to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live in a safe, decent, affordable home, but until the final days, legislators were considering a much larger cut.  We worked with our allies in the Senate and the House while you called, emailed, and visited your lawmakers to let them know that the Trust Fund is a vital economic engine for our state, providing housing and creating jobs.  Your efforts paid off, and the Housing Trust Fund remains a model for the rest of the country. We'll be working throughout the interim to build support to restore funding in the future.

GA-U: Saving General Assistance-Unemployable was one of the biggest victories of the session.  The $339 a month grant to people temporarily disabled remained intact and health benefits will continue through a managed care plan. This is a great example of the success of tireless advocacy from a broad coalition of allies, concerned citizens, and legislators.  Remember, at one point the Governor had completely eliminated the cash grants and severely cut the medical benefits. 

Protecting renters in foreclosed properties: Governor Gregoire signed SB 5810 last week, dramatically increasing protections for renters facing eviction because their landlord is in foreclosure.  When the new law goes into effect, renters will be entitled to notice and information about their rights early in the foreclosure process.  This will allow them to make informed decisions and will have 60 days notice, instead of 20, before they can be required to vacate.

Funding for homelessness programs: HB 2331 passed on the final weekend of the session.  This bill adds an additional $20 fee to most real estate transactions that the state will use to fund homelessness programs. It will also generate another $32 million for counties to use to address homelessness. 

Tenant Relocation Act: HB 1663 expands relocation assistance and notice of closure to tenants of residential motels being closed for health and safety reasons.  It ensures that people living in residential motels have an option other than homelessness when their motel is shuttered by the state or city for health and safety violations.

Transitional Housing Operating and Rent (THOR) Program: Funded at $8.5 million, which keeps the program whole.

Emergency Shelter Assistance Program (ESAP): Fully funded at current levels which will allow the 200 agencies across the state that operate through ESAP to continue to offer assistance to families and individuals at risk for homelessness by providing up to 90 days of shelter, rental assistance, first and last months rent, or many other vital survival services. 

Foster Care to 21 and the Independent Youth Housing Program: Foster care to 21 and the Independent Youth Housing Program help prevent homelessness among young adults. Both important programs were preserved and the Foster Care to 21 program even received a small increase to serve more young adults.  

Voting Rights Restoration: HB 1517 ends the unfairness in our state's system for the restoration of voting rights.  Prior to this bill felons had to pay all of their legal system debts, which are often insurmountable, before regaining their right to vote.  As we stand up for housing it is vital for us to have as many voices as possible.  HB 1517 empowers people who have paid their debt to society to stand up and represent themselves in the process.

We have a lot of work ahead of us to address the need for affordable housing that will certainly grow as the recession continues.  We'll be reaching out to our elected officials, seeking new champions for housing (especially in the Senate), and building partnerships to ensure that working families can afford housing and still have money for the basics like groceries and gas and childcare.  It will take all of us working together to find solutions to this economic crisis, restore the cuts to the Housing Trust Fund, and build a consensus for new revenue to ensure funding for housing and other vital safety services. 

There will be many opportunities for you to be involved.  We'll be seeking volunteers to help us register low income and homeless voters, offering training and education about housing and homelessness, and providing simple ways for you to be an effective citizen advocate.  If you have any questions or want to be more involved in the Housing Alliance, contact Michael, Michael@wliha.org ; 206-442-9455 x 203.  You can also find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Thanks!