Washington Housing Agency to Help Wildfire Victims

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SAN FRANCISCO — The Washington State Housing Finance Commission said it will help victims of recent wildfires in the state to access emergency housing faster.

As the Northwest region remains very dry amid high temperatures, fire crews have been battling several major fires in central and eastern Washington this month, prompting President Obama to declare an emergency in the state on July 23.

Obama authorized the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help local and state agencies with supplies and disaster relief.

On Thursday, Washington's Housing Finance agency said it has issued a waiver to allow people displaced by the wildfires, and who earn less than 60% of the area median income, to skip several time-consuming steps when applying for tax-credit apartments in Chelan and Okanogan counties.

"We hope this waiver can help alleviate just one of the hardships endured by those who have lost their homes," said Karen Miller, chair of the Housing Finance Commission.

The commission works to increase housing access and affordability to residents in Washington by financing housing facilities with proceeds from tax-exempt bonds, as well as offering tax credits to developers to build low-income housing.

Its low-income housing tax credit has created or rehabilitated more than 68,000 affordable apartments across Washington state, according to the commission.

Chelan and Okanogan counties have 19 tax-credit rental properties with 582 apartments.

Wildfire victims who apply for the tax-credit housing can simply self-certify that their income is under the required limits — generally 60% of median income in that area — instead of having to provide proof.

The commission said this will save up to a week of certifications and paperwork, removing one barrier for displaced families seeking temporary homes.

If approved, they can remain in their new housing through Nov. 23 before having to reapply and meet the normal requirements.

The commission last used this waiver to assist people displaced by the Oso mudslide earlier this year, and before that, those displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

 

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