The bill seeks to improve economic security in Washington State by revising the home security fund and the essential needs and housing support program. It clarifies that essential needs or housing support is not an entitlement and sets specific eligibility criteria for low or extremely low-income elderly or disabled adults transitioning off benefits. The bill introduces a verification requirement for referrals to essential needs and housing support, allows for direct cash assistance under certain conditions, and mandates that funds be used flexibly according to clients' housing stability plans. Additionally, it establishes a new surcharge on recorded documents to fund various housing support initiatives, ensuring that a significant portion is allocated to local homeless housing plans.

Moreover, the bill amends existing laws to enhance support for extremely low-income households and streamline eligibility for public assistance programs. It designates supported projects as permanent supportive housing for households earning at or below 30% of the area median income and tasks the Department of Commerce with administering the landlord mitigation program using funds from the document recording fee. Key updates include allowing individuals receiving assistance to also receive referrals for essential needs and housing support, clarifying that victims of human trafficking do not need to provide a social security number for assistance, and outlining criteria for determining incapacity for gainful employment. The bill emphasizes the importance of data sharing between departments to improve coordination and support for eligible individuals.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.185C.220, 43.185C.230, 36.22.250, 74.04.005, 74.04.805, 74.62.030
Substitute Bill: 43.185C.220, 43.185C.230, 36.22.250, 74.04.005, 74.04.805, 74.62.030
Engrossed Substitute: 43.185C.220, 43.185C.230, 36.22.250, 74.04.005, 74.04.805, 74.62.030