Homes for heroes program

AN ACT Relating to creating a homes for heroes program; adding a 1
new section to chapter 43.330 RCW; and creating new sections.2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:3
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the workforce 4
crisis is impacting vital occupations such as firefighters, nurses, 5
servicemembers, police officers, and mental health professionals 6
particularly hard. These occupations are critical to the quality of 7
life and well-being of all Washingtonians.8
The legislature also recognizes the ongoing housing crisis that 9
has put homeownership out of reach for many. Median home prices have 10
been increasing dramatically over the past decade and increased by 11
23.9 percent alone in 2020. This housing crisis is a deterrent for 12
many health care professionals, law enforcement, social workers, and 13
other vital providers to accept recruitment opportunities in 14
Washington state. 15
Therefore, the legislature finds that it is necessary to provide 16
additional down payment assistance to targeted occupations to 17
encourage relocation to and homeownership in Washington state. It is 18
the intent of this act to help more heroes find homes.19
H-0034.1
HOUSE BILL 1022
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Connors, McClintock, Low, Barkis, Schmidt,
Marshall, Taylor, Barnard, Klicker, Reed, Alvarado, Shavers, Eslick,
Fosse, Simmons, Peterson, and Reeves
Prefiled 12/09/24. Read first time 01/13/25. Referred to Committee
on Housing.
p. 1 HB 1022
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.330 1
RCW to read as follows: 2
(1) The department shall contract with the housing finance 3
commission to design, develop, implement, and evaluate a statewide 4
pilot program to provide down payment and closing cost assistance to 5
people who work in targeted occupations and meet income requirements.6
(2) By December 1, 2025, the pilot program must provide loans to 7
income-eligible workers in targeted occupations for down payment and 8
closing costs for the purchase of a primary residence. Loans may not 9
exceed five percent of the first mortgage on the residence or 10
$25,000, whichever is less. Loans must be made available with no 11
interest. A pilot program participant may not be required to repay 12
the loan until the first mortgage is paid in full or the property is 13
sold, refinanced, rented, or transferred. 14
(3) To be eligible for a down payment and closing cost assistance 15
loan under this section, an individual must: 16
(a) Have a household income below 100 percent of the state median 17
household income; and 18
(b) Be employed in a permanent, full-time capacity as:19
(i) A corrections officer, peace officer, reserve officer, or 20
tribal police officer as defined in RCW 43.101.010;21
(ii) A firefighter; 22
(iii) A 911 communications officer, dispatcher, or operator;23
(iv) An emergency medical technician or first responder as 24
defined in RCW 18.73.030; 25
(v) A physician assistant as defined in RCW 18.71A.010;26
(vi) A registered nurse, nurse practitioner, advanced registered 27
nurse practitioner, licensed practical nurse, or nursing technician 28
as defined in chapter 18.79 RCW; 29
(vii) A credentialed health care professional as described under 30
RCW 18.130.040; 31
(viii) A direct care worker as defined in RCW 74.39A.009;32
(ix) A mental health professional as defined in RCW 71.05.020;33
(x) A social worker as defined in RCW 18.320.010; or34
(xi) An owner or employee of a licensed or certified child care 35
center, licensed or certified outdoor nature-based care, or licensed 36
family home provider; or 37
(c) Be a servicemember or veteran of the armed forces.38
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(4) The total amount of funding for the pilot program may not 1
exceed $15,000,000. No new loans may be made after June 30, 2027. All 2
loan repayments received must be returned to the state general fund.3
(5) By December 1, 2026, and in compliance with RCW 43.01.036, 4
the housing finance commission shall submit a preliminary report to 5
the appropriate committees of the legislature summarizing initial 6
results of the program including information about the number of 7
borrowers assisted, the average amount of the down payment 8
assistance, and the location of the property financed. A final report 9
of results is due to the appropriate committees of the legislature by 10
December 1, 2027. 11
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act may be known and cited as the 12
homes for heroes act.13
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p. 3 HB 1022