The bill amends RCW 74.13.802 to enhance the child welfare housing assistance program in Washington State, which provides housing vouchers, rental assistance, and support services to eligible families. Key provisions include the ability for the department or contracted entities to continue providing housing assistance even after child welfare services are no longer being offered to the family. Additionally, the department is required to adopt formal procedures for the program's implementation. The bill also emphasizes the importance of stable housing in reducing the need for foster care placements and aims to support families facing housing instability.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the department to report annually on various metrics related to the program, including the number of unhoused parents on waiting lists for vouchers and the percentage of funding allocated for housing assistance versus program administration. It also establishes a stakeholder group to assist in the program's design, ensuring equitable distribution of support and addressing eligibility criteria. The bill aims to serve all eligible families and eliminate waiting lists, contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 74.13.336
Substitute Bill: 74.13.802
Bill as Passed Legislature: 74.13.802
Session Law: 74.13.802