Update youth homelessness program statutes
Agency
Commerce, Department of
Title of action
Update youth homelessness program statutes
Date significant agency action was initiated
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Category
Agency-request legislation
Brief description of significant agency actions for which the agency is initiating an environmental justice assessment.
In order to ensure there is consistency with best practices in serving homeless youth and efficiency in delivering OHY programming, Commerce proposes amending the following statutes:
RCW 43.63A.305 to include transitional housing as an eligible activity for the Independent Youth Housing Program and eliminate the 12% cap on administrative cost.
RCW 43.185C.315 and RCW 43.185C.010 to replace the derogatory term “Street Youth” in statute and replace it with the term “unaccompanied homeless youth” which has the same functional definition.
RCW 43.330.710 to clarify that OHY programs for young adults may provide services to emancipated minors who otherwise meet program eligibility criteria.
The definition of HOPE Centers in RCW 74.15.020 to align with the definition of HOPE Centers outlined in RCW 43.185C.010 clarifying that youth remain for 90 days.
RCW 74.15.020 to require Host Homes to notify OHY upon registering with the secretary of state.
RCW 43.330.726 to clarify that eligibility for Community Support Teams services extends to youth seeking shelter, as well as the roles and responsibilities of CST convening entities when a parent, guardian, or legal custodian objects to the support or assistance of the CST;
RCW 43.185C.280 and RCW 43.185C.285 to clarify that Crisis Residential Center administrators should notify parents unless a compelling reason exists not to, as defined in RCW 13.32A.082.
RCW 43.330.710 to add flexible financial assistance as an allowable cost of all OHY programs where a youth or young adult may need discrete support or funding to secure safe housing and such flexible funding may be paid directly to youth OR third-party vendors, such as landlords, in order to secure safe and stable housing.
RCW 43.330.702 to expand the definition of "child," "juvenile," "youth," and "minor" to include homeless young adults under age 21 who are in transitional living programs at the time they reach the age of 18 for the purposes of licensing requirements for group care facilities under 74.15 RCW and not under any other statute or for any other purpose.
RCW 43.330.702 to clarify that emancipated minors are considered young adults for the purposes of eligibility for OHY programs which serve young adults.
RCW 43.330.724 to reauthorize the Housing Stability for Youth in Courts Program
Methods for providing public comment for agency consideration as part of the environmental justice assessment.
Advisory groups, committee meetings, web-based comment form, surveys
Link to agency webpage where the action is posted.
Status