Bill Summary:

• AN ACT Relating to creating a tenant assistance program; amending RCW 36.22.250; adding new sections to chapter 43.31 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 44.28 RCW; creating a new section; and providing expiration dates.

What the Bill says:

• This bill creates a new housing grant program for low income people. It would be a feel good but for the new taxes it will create to fund it.

Our Summary Opinion:

• This bill has some credible thoughts regarding the percentages of income to qualify as a tenant for a monthly rental assistance grant of max $400 but it sets the bar as such that with a state that has a horrific housing cost only homeless unemployed persons or those on SSI (max $967 mo) might qualify and they will wind up being excluded because the rent will never be below 30% of their income. Who will benefit? Not the tax payers who will have to fund another bureaucratic agency which will not accomplish the goal set forth in the bill..