Permanent Supportive Housing Advisory Committee

The 2022 Legislature passed Chapter 266, Laws of 2022 (SHB 1724), creating the Permanent Supportive Housing Advisory Committee to provide guidance and recommendations on the administration of permanent supportive housing programs managed by the Department. 

Membership

Permanent supportive housing (PSH) is defined in RCW 36.70A.030 (16) as non-time-limited housing for persons with disabling conditions who have experienced homelessness or risk of homelessness and are offered voluntary supportive services aimed at assisting the client in maintaining the terms of their lease agreement.

SHB1724 (Chapter 266, Laws of 2022) prescribes 26 distinct member positions to be appointed by Commerce, 11 of which are persons with lived experience in PSH representing various populations such as persons of color, persons with developmental disabilities, persons older than 55, and others.

Commerce contracted with BDS Planning and Urban Design to assist with member recruitment and facilitation of the first three quarterly meetings. BDS and Commerce collaborated to solicit applications from as diverse an applicant pool as possible, considering applicants’ expressed identity concerning race, geographic location, gender identity, ethnicity, presence of a disabling condition, and age. BDS received 260 applications for the 26 positions. Selections for appointment were made by placing all applicants and their self-identified criteria in a matrix and proceeding through a process of elimination, making sure to aim for diversity.

Topics of Consideration

The Committee will provide Commerce advice and recommendations on alignment and the best use of funds for PSH development and maintenance. The Legislature has appropriated several funding sources to expand permanent supportive housing: 

  • Washington’s Housing Trust Fund provides construction capital or funding for rapidly acquiring existing structures for use as PSH.
  • The Office of Apple Health and Homes is launching the new “prescription for housing” program that pairs persons eligible for Washington’s Foundational Community Supports Program with housing specifically for this population.
  • Commerce also administers nearly $45 million per year in funds for operating and maintenance costs and the cost of supportive services for housing units dedicated as PSH.
  • A new funding source created by Chapter 214, Laws of 2021 (ESHB 1277) provides a dedicated funding source to be used broadly for expanding the capacity of PSH units. This fund source will be administered locally by county governments and subject to recommendations by the Committee.
  • Committee By-laws (PDF)

Committee Meetings

Meetings are held quarterly as follows. Meeting materials will be added after each meeting.

Resources

Contact

Email: Melodie.Pazolt@commerce.wa.gov