Washington State bill expands housing assistance for trafficking victims and low-income seniors

The House Appropriations Committee convened on April 3, 2025, to discuss significant amendments to the Essential Needs and Housing (HEN) program, which provides critical support for individuals facing housing instability. The meeting focused on a striking amendment that aims to expand eligibility and enhance the program's funding mechanisms.

The HEN program, administered by the Department of Commerce, offers time-limited rent assistance and essential services to individuals who qualify based on specific criteria, including income limits and citizenship status. Currently, benefits cannot be provided as cash assistance. The program primarily serves low-income individuals, including those who are elderly, disabled, or victims of human trafficking.

Key discussions highlighted the proposed changes under Engross Substitute Senate Bill 5232. The bill seeks to broaden eligibility to include victims of human trafficking without the current citizenship-related requirements. It also allows for direct cash assistance to be provided through debit cash cards, enabling recipients to address their immediate housing needs more flexibly. Additionally, the bill proposes to increase the administration rate for HEN support entities from 7% to 15% and modifies the re-verification process for rental assistance from every three months to annually.

Fiscal implications were also addressed during the meeting. The Department of Commerce indicated that the HEN program is not an entitlement program, meaning it can only serve as many individuals as funding allows. The estimated cost to provide housing benefits is approximately $19,000 per individual per fiscal year. With the proposed expansion, it is anticipated that around 250 additional individuals may qualify for support, with an estimated 35% likely to require housing assistance.

The committee also noted that the bill would not alter the total revenues and expenditures from the Home Security Fund, although some programs within the Office of Homeless Youth may experience changes due to the introduction of cash assistance. Furthermore, the Department of Social and Health Services indicated that there would be additional workload requirements to update their eligibility systems to accommodate the new provisions.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the committee's commitment to enhancing support for vulnerable populations through the HEN program, with a focus on improving access and flexibility in assistance. The proposed amendments are set to provide a more comprehensive safety net for individuals facing housing challenges, with further discussions and evaluations expected as the bill progresses.