Naco – Housing platform Thomas Swanson Legislative Policy Analyst (253) 798-3631 Thomas.Swanson@co.pierce.wa.us

Housing The Need for Affordable, Workforce and Entry Level Housing Responsibility for all segments of the population Including: very-low, low, & moderate income and special needs households Remove all discrimination from the housing market Prohibiting exclusionary zoning practices Enforce Title VIII (1968 Fair Housing Act) Protections for race, color, religion, sex, familial status or national origin Urge HUD to provide resources to comply with Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Final Rule and Assessment of Fair (AFH) planning process Increase flexibility for CDBG funds Provide enhanced technical assistance (best-practices, toolkits & sample multi-jurisdictional agreements) Encourage mixed-income housing Concentrating assisted housing geographically should be avoided Encourage innovating technology, design approval and construction to lower housing costs Assess impact of local land use policies on housing costs

Federal role in Housing HOME Investment Partnership – low to moderate income housing National Housing Trust Fund – formulate allocations directly to local governments Federally Owned Residential Property – foreclosed/abandoned Fed insured, make affordable Preservation of Low-Income Housing Stock – incentivize transfer to preservation entities Restructuring the FHA Portfolio – easy burden of operating Sec. 8 Preserve Section 8 Housing Expand voucher limits from 20 to 35 and timely reallocate unused vouchers Restore 50th percentile of fair market standard (deconcentrate families in poverty) Greater flexibility in inspections Remove disincentives to forming admin consortia for voucher programs Use of Tax Code for Multifamily Rentals – stimulate investment in affordable housing

Federal role in Housing Low-Income Housing Tax Credit – make permanent, leads to new apartment construction/rehabs Commercial Revitalization Tax Credit – supports business growth in distressed areas Single-Family Homeownership Tax Credit –provide for low & moderate income ownership Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) - continued support of Fanny & Freddie Lead-Based Paint – offset increased cost (within HOME & CDBG programs) Homeless Assistance – convert categorical programs to block grants (greater flexibility) Full funding of Shelter Plus Care programs (outside McKinney Supportive Housing) End hospital, BH facility & jail/prison discharge into homelessness (support transition programs) Support/develop housing & support services to reintegrate ex-offenders End Veteran Homelessness – HUD-VASH voucher expansion with SSVF grant programs

Federal role in Housing Special Needs Housing – Aging Populations – aging-in-place focus (equity conversion, accessory dwelling, group homes) Persons w/ AIDS – better coordination of delivery of health care & services (HOPWA program) Refining the Mortgage Revenue Bond Program – increase purchase price limits Employer Assisted Housing – provide a tax credit to offset costs Foreclosures – encourage refinancing/restructuring mortgages

county role in Housing Planning – develop guidelines for areas of development opportunity, based on demographics Housing Element in Local Plan – project future housing needs of all types & incomes Local Land Use Policies and Procedures – impact on overall housing costs Inclusionary Zoning – Incentivize inclusive zoning and density bonuses to expand affordable housing Permitting Processes – simplify, reduce duplication, clarify, consolidate, reduce barriers