HOUSING

Counties provide and support housing needs in a variety of ways. Because of direct and indirect impacts counties create to housing availability, location and cost, housing is also a required element of growth management plans.

In addition, some counties manage or assist in low-income housing programs. They may directly administer a residential program for those with special needs. They may run local housing authorities, which manage federally subsidized programs such as Section 8. Counties may assist in building and developing housing for migrant farm workers through their local non-profits and may work with their local financial institutions to develop capital projects from a diverse stream of funding resources.

WSAC Policy: Counties support the elimination of duplicative planning and regulatory burdens that impact housing affordability and support the reduction of other regulatory requirements that significantly impact housing affordability without a commensurate benefit for the environment or the general welfare of our communities.

Counties also support additional sources of revenue from both the state and federal level to assist in funding housing for low-income groups and other specific populations. Counties support the legislature increasing the amount of funding dedicated to the Housing Trust Fund for the needs of special populations, the elderly, and those with low-incomes. They support increased administrative flexibility in developing housing programs and the reduction of state organizational barriers. Counties support adequate allowances for administrative expenses being included in whatever additional funds are provided that are administered by counties for affordable and/or special needs housing.

Counties support a state building code that provides a uniform level of public safety and consumer protection for construction throughout the state, but that also retains local flexibility for greater protection or other unique situations where an area desires it.