House committee hears bill to create statutory rights for senior independent housing residents

The Washington State House Committee on Housing on Feb. 3 heard testimony on House Bill 1542, a measure that would define "senior independent housing," establish minimum rights for residents age 55 and older who live in independent-living communities, authorize enforcement under the state Consumer Protection Act and require the Department of Commerce to report on providers and units statewide.

The bill, sponsor Representative Christine Reeves said, responds to complaints from constituents in South King County about unresponsive management and safety lapses. "When you are recruiting specific populations of people to live in a specific housing facility, there should be some fundamental rights that are assigned to that group of people living in this facility, particularly as seniors," Representative Reeves said.

Audrey Vaisik, staff to the committee, told members the bill defines senior independent housing as housing "advertised,…