Washington House address homeless encampments

OLYMPIA — Homeless individuals may have an opportunity to move into permanent housing under legislation considered by a Washington House committee on Thursday.

Senate Bill 5662 would establish an office within the Department of Social and Health Services to mitigate the increase of homeless encampments on public rights-of-way. The office would work towards transitioning affected individuals into permanent housing.

The Department of Commerce would work with the office by providing grants to local governments and nonprofits, aiding in the transition to permanent housing.

Rep. Andrew Barkis, R-Olympia, urged committee members to vote no on SB 5662. Barkis said he is concerned that this bill would funnel millions of dollars into a new effort that existing programs can take on.

“We as a body can do this without creating yet another agency,” Barkis said.

SB 5662 could cost the state approximately $5.4 million this biennium and $10.4 million in the upcoming one. This fiscal impact does not include the grant funding that would be distributed during the effort.

All three proposed supplemental operating budgets being considered in Olympia account for funding needed to carry out this effort over the next few years.

If enacted, the established office must complete construction or housing plans before engaging with homeless encampments to transition them to housing. Staff members would attempt to accommodate individuals’ partners, families and pets as they transition.

Various regional teams would bring the transition effort together, carry it out and track progress. A data analysis team would have to submit an annual progress report to the governor beginning in January 2023.

The House Housing, Human Services and Veterans Committee voted 5-4 during an executive session on Thursday to move SB 5662 out of committee and onto the Washington House floor.

The funding helps to provide around 9,000 units to the state. Still, it only scratches the surface of the 250,000 units that legislators say are needed.

Gov. Inslee proposed another $430,000 million in the capital budget with more in the state operating budget to mitigate the housing crisis further.

Since 2017, the legislature has invested approximately $450 million into increasing shelter capacity and affordable housing stock, said Jim Baumgart, senior policy advisor to Inslee, during a public hearing on Tuesday.

“This investment is only a fraction of what is necessary to begin addressing the shortage of housing affecting every community in this state,” Baumgart said.