The bill amends RCW 74.13.802 to enhance the child welfare housing assistance program, which provides housing vouchers, rental assistance, and support services to eligible families. It specifies that the program will operate in both western and eastern counties of Washington and aims to reduce the need for foster care placements and shorten the duration of out-of-home care for children. New provisions allow the department or contracted entities to continue providing housing assistance even after child welfare services are no longer provided to the family. Additionally, the department is required to adopt formal procedures for the program's implementation.

The bill also expands the reporting requirements for the program, mandating annual reports to the legislature that include data on the demographics of families served, recommendations for legislative changes, and specific metrics such as the number of unhoused parents on waiting lists and funding allocations for various program components. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of serving families on waiting lists to ensure that all eligible families receive assistance, thereby aiming to eliminate waiting lists altogether.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 74.13.336
Substitute Bill: 74.13.802