Drafter

Clerk 11/10/2021

Title

AN ORDINANCE requiring public notice before entering into a purchase and sale agreement for the purchase of a hotel for the purpose of affordable housing, permanent or temporary supported housing, homeless shelter or a similar purpose; and amending Ordinance 12045, Section 18, and K.C.C. 4.56.152.

Body

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

1.  In December 2018, the King County regional affordable housing task force found that the region needs an additional 44,000 homes affordable for very low- and extremely low-income households over the next five years.

2.  In November 2015, King County declared a state of emergency to address the homelessness crisis.

3.  The Regional Action Framework identified a need for 6,500 additional units of supportive housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness.

4.  King County collects a one-tenth of one percent sales and use tax as authorized in RCW 82.14.530, referred to as the health through housing sales tax.

5.  King County has closed on purchases or entered into purchase and sale agreements for nine properties, including hotels throughout the county, using health through housing sales and use tax revenue.

6.  The executive has indicated an intent to acquire three additional properties by January 1, 2022, using health through housing sales and use tax revenue.

7.  The metropolitan King County council has determined that public involvement when King County considers purchasing hotels for the purpose of affordable housing, permanent or temporary supported housing, homeless shelter or a similar purpose will benefit county residents.

                     BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:

                     SECTION 1.  Ordinance 12045, Section 18, and K.C.C. 4.56.152 are hereby amended as follows:

                     A.  In acquiring real property or interests in real property, county departments and agencies shall comply with requirements as may be established from time to time by the council and with state and federal laws and regulations as they may apply.

                     B.  The provisions of chapter 8.26 RCW related to acquisition and relocation assistance shall apply to such acquisitions unless for a project or program the council determines otherwise by ordinance.

                     C.  In acquiring real property or interests in real property previously held out to the public to be a hotel, as defined by RCW 19.48.010, or apartment complex of ten or more units, for the purpose of creating affordable housing, permanent or temporary supported housing, homeless shelter or a similar purpose, the facilities management division shall publish a notice, in a newspaper of general circulation within the county and a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the real property is located, at least thirty days before the executive enters into a purchase and sale agreement to purchase the property.  The facilities management division shall also publish the notice on the division's website.  The public notice shall include:

                       1.  The location of the property, including property address and parcel number of the property;

                       2.  The purpose for which King County intends to purchase the property;

                       3.  The funding source proposed to be used to purchase the property;

                       4.  Information on how the public may provide comment on the purchase of the

property; and

                       5.  The name of county contact persons and phone numbers.