Document recording surcharge fee for low-income housing (House Bill 2060)
History
House Bill 2060, effective June 13, 2002, enacted a surcharge of $10 per instrument recorded in each county for affordable housing benefiting persons at 50% or less of the median family income (very-low income people). Please refer to the current HUD income limits for Clark County.
During the first year, (June 2002 - July 2003) Clark County collected $771,400. The County Auditor's office can keep up to 5% of the money to administer the collection of funds. Of the remaining funds, 60% stay in Clark County for low-income housing and 40% is transmitted to the state for use by the Washington State Dept. of Community, Trade, and Economic Development for affordable housing.
The Bill states eligible activities as:
Acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation of housing projects or units within housing projects that are affordable to very low-income persons;
Supporting building operation and maintenance costs of housing projects or units within housing projects built with housing trust funds, that are affordable to very low-income persons, and that require a supplement to rent income to cover ongoing operating expenses;
Rental assistance vouchers for housing projects or units within housing projects that are affordable to very low-income persons; and
Operating costs for emergency shelters and licensed overnight youth shelters.
Local process
The CDBG and HOME Program hosted two community meetings to solicit recommendations for the use of the local funding. The first meeting was an idea gathering session. The second meeting was a consensus building session. The group developed the following community recommendations regarding the use of the funds:
Capital funds for transitional and permanent housing;
Operating funds for shelters, transitional and permanent housing;
Funding for the creation of a local housing bond.
The Clark Housing Review Board will be the oversight body for the funding.
On April 2nd, 2003, the Board of Commissioners held a work session and approved the communities recommendations.
An interlocal agreement between the County and the cities within the county has been executed for allocation of HB 2060 funds consistent with local housing needs.
