It is declared to be the public policy of the state and a recognized governmental function to assist in making affordable and decent housing available throughout the state and by so doing to contribute to the general welfare. Decent housing for the people of our state is a most important public concern. Interest rates and construction costs have made it impossible for many Washington citizens to purchase their own homes. Older people, disabled persons, and low and moderate-income families often cannot afford to rent decent housing. There exists throughout the state a serious shortage of safe, sanitary and energy efficient housing available at prices within the financial means of our citizens. General economic development within the state is also impeded by a lack of affordable housing. The state's economy, which is dependent on the timber, wood products, and construction industries, has been damaged by inadequate investment in housing construction and rehabilitation. The result has been high unemployment and economic hardship affecting the prosperity of all the people of the state, particularly those in the wood products industry.
It is the purpose of this chapter to establish a state housing finance commission to act as a financial conduit which, without using public funds or lending the credit of the state or local government, can issue nonrecourse revenue bonds and participate in federal, state, and local housing programs and thereby make additional funds available at affordable rates to help provide housing throughout the state. It is also a primary purpose of this chapter to encourage the use of Washington state forest products in residential construction. This chapter is enacted to accomplish these and related purposes and shall be liberally construed to carry out its purposes and objectives.
[ 1983 c 161 § 1; ]
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
"Bonds" means the bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness of the commission, the interest paid on which may or may not qualify for tax exemption.
"Certifying authority" means: (a) For improvements involving solar electric systems, the Washington climate and rural energy development center at Washington State University, established under RCW 28B.30.642; or (b) for all other energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements, any utility company or other institution qualified to assess and certify the feasibility and benefit of energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements in a manner that is efficient and minimizes the amount of time or cost.
"Code" means the federal internal revenue code of 1954, as now or hereafter amended, and the regulations and rulings promulgated thereunder.
"Commission" means the Washington state housing finance commission or any board, body, commission, department, or officer succeeding to the principal functions thereof or to whom the powers conferred upon the commission shall be given by law.
"Costs of housing" means all costs related to the development, design, acquisition, construction, reconstruction, leasing, rehabilitation, and other improvements of housing, as determined by the commission.
"Eligible applicant" means, with respect to the sustainable energy trust program, an owner of a residential, agricultural, commercial, state, or municipal property.
"Eligible person" means a person or family eligible in accordance with standards promulgated by the commission. Such persons shall include those persons whose income is insufficient to obtain at a reasonable cost, without financial assistance, decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the area in which the person or family resides, and may include such other persons whom the commission determines to be eligible.
"Energy efficiency improvement" means an installation or modification that is designed to reduce energy consumption in residential, agricultural, commercial, state, or municipal properties. The term includes, but is not limited to: Insulation; storm windows and doors; automatic energy control systems; heating, ventilating, or air conditioning and distribution system modifications or replacements in buildings or central plants; caulking and weather stripping; energy recovery systems; geothermal heat pumps; and day lighting systems.
"Housing" means specific new, existing, or improved residential dwellings within this state or dwellings to be constructed within this state. The term includes land, buildings, and manufactured dwellings, and improvements, furnishings, and equipment, and such other nonhousing facilities, furnishings, equipment, and costs as may be incidental or appurtenant thereto if in the judgment of the commission the facilities, furnishings, equipment and costs are an integral part of the project. Housing may consist of single-family or multifamily dwellings in one or more structures located on contiguous or noncontiguous parcels or any combination thereof. Improvements may include such equipment and materials as are appropriate to accomplish energy efficiency within a dwelling. The term also includes a dwelling constructed by a person who occupies and owns the dwelling, and nursing homes licensed under chapter 18.51 RCW.
"Mortgage" means a mortgage, mortgage deed, deed of trust, security agreement, or other instrument securing a mortgage loan and constituting a lien on or security interest in housing. The property may be held in fee simple or on a leasehold under a lease having a remaining term, at the time the mortgage is acquired, of not less than the term of repayment of the mortgage loan secured by the mortgage. The property may also be housing which is evidenced by an interest in a cooperative association or corporation if ownership of the interest entitles the owner of the interest to occupancy of a dwelling owned by the association or corporation.
"Mortgage lender" means any of the following entities which customarily provide service or otherwise aid in the financing of housing and which are approved as a mortgage lender by the commission: A bank, trust company, savings bank, national banking association, savings and loan association, building and loan association, mortgage banker, mortgage company, credit union, life insurance company, or any other financial institution, governmental agency, municipal corporation, or any holding company for any of the entities specified in this subsection.
"Mortgage loan" means an interest-bearing loan or a participation therein, made to a borrower, for the purpose of financing the costs of housing, evidenced by a promissory note, and which may or may not be secured (a) under a mortgage agreement, (b) under any other security agreement, regardless of whether the collateral is personal or real property, or (c) by insurance or a loan guarantee of a third party. However, an unsecured loan shall not be considered a mortgage loan under this definition unless the amount of the loan is under two thousand five hundred dollars.
"Qualified improvement" means an energy efficiency improvement which has been approved by a certifying authority or a net metering system as defined under RCW 80.60.010.
[ 2009 c 65 § 2; 1990 c 167 § 1; 1983 c 161 § 2; ]
Bonds issued under this chapter shall be issued in the name of the commission. The bonds shall not be obligations of the state of Washington and shall be obligations only of the commission payable from the special fund or funds created by the commission for their payment. Such funds shall not be or constitute public moneys or funds of the state of Washington but at all times shall be kept segregated and set apart from other funds.
Bonds issued under this chapter shall contain a recital on their face to the effect that payment of the principal of, interest on, and prepayment premium, if any, on the bonds, shall be a valid claim only as against the special fund or funds relating thereto, that neither the faith and credit nor the taxing power of the state or any municipal corporation, subdivision, or agency of the state, other than the commission as set forth in this chapter, is pledged to the payment of the principal of, interest on, and prepayment premium, if any, on the bonds.
Contracts entered into by the commission shall be entered into in the name of the commission and not in the name of the state of Washington. The obligations of the commission under the contracts shall be obligations only of the commission and are not in any way obligations of the state of Washington.
[ 1983 c 161 § 3; ]
There is hereby established a public body corporate and politic, with perpetual corporate succession, to be known as the Washington state housing finance commission. The commission is an instrumentality of the state exercising essential government functions and, for purposes of the code, acts as a constituted authority on behalf of the state when it issues bonds pursuant to this chapter. The commission is a "public body" within the meaning of RCW 39.53.010.
The commission shall consist of the following voting members:
The state treasurer, ex officio;
The *director of community, trade, and economic development, ex officio;
An elected local government official, ex officio, with experience in local housing programs, who shall be appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate;
A representative of housing consumer interests, appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate;
A representative of labor interests, appointed by the governor, with the consent of the senate, after consultation with representatives of organized labor;
A representative of low-income persons, appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate;
Five members of the public appointed by the governor, with the consent of the senate, on the basis of geographic distribution and their expertise in housing, real estate, finance, energy efficiency, or construction, one of whom shall be appointed by the governor as chair of the commission and who shall serve on the commission and as chair of the commission at the pleasure of the governor.
The term of the persons appointed by the governor, other than the chair, shall be four years from the date of their appointment, except that the terms of three of the initial appointees shall be for two years from the date of their appointment. The governor shall designate the appointees who will serve the two-year terms. An appointee may be removed by the governor for cause pursuant to RCW 43.06.070 and 43.06.080. The governor shall fill any vacancy in an appointed position by appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term. If the **department of community development is abolished, the resulting vacancy shall be filled by a state official who shall be appointed to the commission by the governor. If this official occupies an office or position for which senate confirmation is not required, then his or her appointment to the commission shall be subject to the consent of the senate. The members of the commission shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.240 and may be reimbursed, solely from the funds of the commission, for expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties under this chapter, subject to the provisions of RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. A majority of the commission constitutes a quorum. Designees shall be appointed in such manner and shall exercise such powers as are specified by the rules of the commission.
[ 1995 c 399 § 98; 1985 c 6 § 14; 1984 c 287 § 90; 1983 c 161 § 4; ]
In addition to other powers and duties prescribed in this chapter, and in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter to provide decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for eligible persons, the commission is empowered to:
Issue bonds in accordance with this chapter;
Invest in, purchase, or make commitments to purchase or take assignments from mortgage lenders of mortgages or mortgage loans;
Make loans to or deposits with mortgage lenders for the purpose of making mortgage loans;
Make loans for down payment assistance to home buyers in conjunction with other commission programs; and
Participate fully in federal and other governmental programs and to take such actions as are necessary and consistent with this chapter to secure to itself and the people of the state the benefits of those programs and to meet their requirements, including such actions as the commission considers appropriate in order to have the interest payments on its bonds and other obligations treated as tax exempt under the code.
The commission shall establish eligibility standards for eligible persons, considering at least the following factors:
Income;
Family size;
Cost, condition, and energy efficiency of available residential housing;
Availability of decent, safe, and sanitary housing;
Age or infirmity; and
Applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
The state auditor shall audit the books, records, and affairs of the commission annually to determine, among other things, if the use of bond proceeds complies with the general plan of housing finance objectives including compliance with the objective for the use of financing assistance for implementation of cost-effective energy efficiency measures in dwellings.
[ 2013 c 13 § 1; 1986 c 264 § 1; 1983 c 161 § 5; ]
The commission does not have the power of eminent domain and the commission does not have the power to levy any taxes of any kind.
[ 1983 c 161 § 6; ]
The commission shall adopt a general plan of housing finance objectives to be implemented by the commission during the period of the plan. The commission may exercise the powers authorized under this chapter prior to the adoption of the initial plan. In developing the plan, the commission shall consider and set objectives for:
The use of funds for single-family and multifamily housing;
The use of funds for new construction, rehabilitation, including refinancing of existing debt, and home purchases;
The housing needs of low-income and moderate-income persons and families, and of elderly or persons with disabilities;
The use of funds in coordination with federal, state, and local housing programs for low-income persons;
The use of funds in urban, rural, suburban, and special areas of the state;
The use of financing assistance to stabilize and upgrade declining urban neighborhoods;
The use of financing assistance for economically depressed areas, areas of minority concentration, reservations, and in mortgage-deficient areas;
The geographical distribution of bond proceeds so that the benefits of the housing programs provided under this chapter will be available to address demand on a fair basis throughout the state;
The use of financing assistance for implementation of cost-effective energy efficiency measures in dwellings.
The plan shall include an estimate of the amount of bonds the commission will issue during the term of the plan and how bond proceeds will be expended.
The plan shall be adopted by resolution of the commission following at least one public hearing thereon, notice of which shall be made by mailing to the clerk of the governing body of each county and by publication in the Washington State Register no more than forty and no less than twenty days prior to the hearing. A draft of the plan shall be made available not less than thirty days prior to any such public hearing. At least every two years, the commission shall report to the legislature regarding implementation of the plan.
The commission may periodically update the plan.
The commission shall adopt rules designed to result in the use of bond proceeds in a manner consistent with the plan. The commission may periodically update its rules.
This section is designed to deal only with the use of bond proceeds and nothing in this section shall be construed as a limitation on the commission's authority to issue bonds.
[ 2020 c 274 § 25; 1999 c 372 § 11; 1999 c 131 § 1; 1983 c 161 § 7; ]
In addition to other powers and duties specified in this chapter, the commission may:
Establish in resolutions relating to any issuance of bonds, or in any financing documents relating to such issuance, such standards and requirements applicable to the purchase of mortgages and mortgage loans or the making of loans to mortgage lenders as the commission deems necessary or desirable, including but not limited to: (a) The time within which mortgage lenders must make commitments and disbursements for mortgages or mortgage loans; (b) the location and other characteristics of single-family housing or multifamily housing to be financed by mortgages and mortgage loans; (c) the terms and conditions of mortgages and mortgage loans to be acquired; (d) the amounts and types of insurance coverage required on mortgages, mortgage loans, and bonds; (e) the representations and warranties of mortgage lenders confirming compliance with such standards and requirements; (f) restrictions as to interest rate and other terms of mortgages or mortgage loans or the return realized therefrom by mortgage lenders; (g) the type and amount of collateral security to be provided to assure repayment of any loans from the commission and to assure repayment of bonds; and (h) any other matters related to the purchase of mortgages or mortgage loans or the making of loans to lending institutions as shall be deemed relevant by the commission;
Sue and be sued in its own name;
Make and execute contracts and all other instruments necessary or convenient for the exercise of its purposes or powers, including but not limited to contracts or agreements for the origination, servicing, and administration of mortgages or mortgage loans, and the borrowing of money;
Procure such insurance, including but not limited to insurance: (a) Against any loss in connection with its property and other assets, including but not limited to mortgages or mortgage loans, in such amounts and from such insurers as the commission deems desirable, and (b) to indemnify members of the commission for acts done in the course of their duties;
Provide for the investment of any funds, including funds held in reserve, not required for immediate disbursement, and provide for the selection of investments;
Fix, revise, and collect fees and charges in connection with the investigation and financing of housing or in connection with assignments, contracts, purchases of mortgages or mortgage loans, or any other actions permitted under this chapter or by the commission; and receive grants and contributions;
Make such expenditures as are appropriate for paying the administrative costs of the commission and for carrying out the provisions of this chapter. These expenditures may be made only from funds consisting of the commission's receipts from fees and charges, grants and contributions, the proceeds of bonds issued by the commission, and other revenues; these expenditures shall not be made from funds of the state of Washington;
Establish such special funds, and controls on deposits to and disbursements from them, as it finds convenient for the implementation of this chapter;
Conduct such investigations and feasibility studies as it deems appropriate;
Proceed with foreclosure actions or accept deeds in lieu of foreclosure together with the assignments of leases and rentals incidental thereto. Any properties acquired by the commission through such actions shall be sold as soon as practicable through persons licensed under chapter 18.85 RCW or at public auction, or by transfer to a public agency. In preparation for the disposition of the properties, the commission may own, lease, clear, construct, reconstruct, rehabilitate, repair, maintain, manage, operate, assign, or encumber the properties;
Take assignments of leases and rentals;
Subject to any provisions of the commission's contracts with the holders of obligations of the commission, consent to any modification with respect to rate of interest, time, and payment of any installment of principal or interest or any other term of any contract, mortgage, mortgage loan, mortgage loan commitment, contract, or agreement of any kind;
Subject to provisions of the commission's contracts with the holders of bonds, permit the reduction of rental or carrying charges to persons unable to pay the regular rent or schedule of charges if, by reason of other income of the commission or by reason of payment by any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States or of this state, the reduction can be made without jeopardizing the economic stability of the housing being financed;
Sell, at public or private sale, with or without public bidding, any mortgage, mortgage loan, or other instrument or asset held by the commission;
Employ, contract with, or engage engineers, architects, attorneys, financial advisors, bond underwriters, mortgage lenders, mortgage administrators, housing construction or financing experts, other technical or professional assistants, and such other personnel as are necessary. The commission may delegate to the appropriate persons the power to execute legal instruments on its behalf;
Receive contributions or grants from any source unless otherwise prohibited;
Impose covenants running with the land in order to satisfy and enforce the requirements of applicable state and federal law and commission policy with respect to housing or other facilities financed by the commission or assisted by federal, state, or local programs administered by the commission, by executing and recording regulatory agreements or other covenants between the commission and the person or entity to be bound. These regulatory agreements and covenants shall run with the land and be enforceable by the commission or its successors or assigns against the person or entity making the regulatory agreement or covenants or its successors or assigns, even though there may be no privity of estate or privity of contract between the commission or its successors or assigns and the person or entity against whom enforcement is sought. The term of any such covenant shall be set forth in the recorded agreement containing the covenant. This subsection shall apply to regulatory agreements and covenants previously entered into by the commission as well as regulatory agreements and covenants entered into by the commission on or after July 27, 1997;
Delegate any of its powers and duties if consistent with the purposes of this chapter;
Exercise any other power reasonably required to implement the purposes of this chapter.
From February 15, 2010, through June 30, 2011, neither the commission nor its designees may grant any monetary performance-based awards or incentives to any employee. This subsection does not prohibit the payment of awards provided for in chapter 41.60 RCW.
[ 2010 c 2 § 5; 1997 c 163 § 1; 1983 c 161 § 8; ]
The commission shall adopt written policies to provide for the selection of bond counsel. The policies shall provide for the creation and maintenance of a roster of attorneys whom the commission believes possess the requisite special expertise and professional standing to provide bond counsel opinions which would be accepted by the underwriters, bondholders, and other members of the financial community, and which would be in furtherance of the public interest in obtaining the lowest possible interest rates on the bonds issued by the commission. Any attorney may apply to have his or her name placed on the roster, but may not be placed on the roster unless the attorney demonstrates to the commission's satisfaction that the attorney would issue the kind of opinions required by this section.
Prior to selecting an attorney or attorneys to provide bond counsel services, the commission shall provide all attorneys on the roster with a notice of its intentions to select bond counsel and shall invite each of them to submit to the commission his or her fee schedule for providing bond counsel services. The commission shall have wide discretion in selecting the attorney or attorneys it considers to be most appropriate to provide the services, but in the exercise of this discretion the commission shall consider all submitted fee schedules and the public interest in achieving both savings in bond counsel fees and issuance of bonds on terms most favorable to the commission. At least once every two calendar years, the commission shall select anew an attorney or attorneys to serve as bond counsel. However, the commission may retain an attorney for longer than two years when necessary to complete work on a particular bond issue. An attorney previously retained may be selected again but only after the commission has provided other attorneys on the roster with an opportunity to be selected and has made the fee schedule review required under this subsection. In addition to or as an alternative to retaining counsel for a period of time, the commission may appoint an attorney to serve as counsel in respect to only a particular bond issue.
[ 1983 c 161 § 9; ]
The commission shall adopt written policies to provide for the selection of underwriters. The policies shall provide for the creation of a roster of underwriters whom the commission believes possess the requisite special expertise and professional standing to provide bond marketing services which would be accepted by bondholders and other members of the financial community, and which would be in furtherance of the public interest in marketing the commission's bonds at the lowest possible costs. Any underwriter may apply to have its name placed on the roster, but may not be placed on the roster unless it demonstrates to the commission's satisfaction that it meets the requirements of this section.
Whenever the commission decides that it needs the services of an underwriter, it shall provide all underwriters on the roster with a notice of its intentions and shall invite each of them to submit to the commission an itemization of its fees and other charges for providing underwriting services on the issue. The itemization shall be by categories designed by the commission. The commission shall have wide discretion in selecting the underwriter it considers to be most appropriate to provide the services, but in the exercise of this discretion the commission shall consider the underwriter's fees and other charges and the public interest in achieving both savings in the total costs of underwriting services and issuance of bonds on terms most favorable to the commission.
[ 1983 c 161 § 10; ]
The commission shall submit the initial policies adopted under RCW 43.180.090 and 43.180.100 to the chief clerk of the house and the secretary of the senate for transmittal to and review by the appropriate standing committees and the joint administrative rules review committee. By January 1, 1984 the commission shall have adopted policies in the form of rules and regulations under chapter 34.05 RCW. Such rules and regulations may only be changed or revised in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW.
[ 1983 c 161 § 11; ]
The legislature recognizes that the demand for mortgage loans for nonrental single-family housing will probably greatly exceed the supply of bond proceeds available to satisfy the demand. Therefore, the commission shall adopt rules providing procedures to assure that the bond proceeds available for that kind of housing shall be made available to qualified mortgagors in a fair and equitable manner.
[ 1983 c 161 § 12; ]
The commission is encouraged to adopt policies which will assure that bondholders will be protected against the failure to make mortgage payments financed under this chapter. Such policies may require, among other things, mortgage insurance.
[ 1983 c 161 § 13; ]
The commission shall adopt rules providing for financing assistance to implement cost-effective energy efficiency improvements.
[ 1983 c 161 § 14; ]
The commission's bonds shall bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times, be in such denominations, be in such form, be registered or registrable in such manner, be made transferable, exchangeable, and interchangeable, be payable in such medium of payment, at such place or places, be subject to such terms of redemption, bear such fixed or variable rate or rates of interest, be payable at such time or times, and be sold in such manner and at such price or prices, as the commission determines. The bonds shall be executed by the chair, by either its duly elected secretary or its treasurer, and by the trustee or paying agent if the commission determines to use a trustee or paying agent for the bonds. Execution of the bonds may be by manual or facsimile signature.
The bonds of the commission shall be subject to such terms, conditions, covenants, and protective provisions as are found necessary or desirable by the commission, including, but not limited to, pledges of the commission's assets, setting aside of reserves, limitations on additional forms of indebtedness, and the mortgaging of all or any part of the commission's real or personal property, then owned or thereafter acquired, and other provisions the commission finds are necessary or desirable for the security of bond holders.
Any security interest created in the unexpended bond proceeds and in the special funds created by the commission shall be immediately valid and binding against such moneys and any securities in which such moneys may be invested without commission or trustee possession thereof, and the security interest shall be prior to any party having any competing claim in such moneys or securities, without filing or recording pursuant to *chapter 62A.9 RCW and regardless of whether the party has notice of the security interest.
When issuing bonds, the commission may provide for the future issuance of additional bonds or parity debt on a parity with outstanding bonds, and the terms and conditions of their issuance. The commission may refund or advance refund any bond of the commission in accordance with chapter 39.53 RCW or issue bonds with a subordinate lien against the fund or funds securing outstanding bonds.
The chair of the state finance committee or the chair's designee shall be notified in advance of the issuance of bonds by the commission in order to promote the orderly offering of obligations in the financial markets.
The members of the commission and any person executing the bonds are not liable personally on the indebtedness or subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the issuance thereof.
The commission may, out of any fund available therefor, purchase its bonds in the open market.
[ 1983 c 161 § 15; ]
The total amount of outstanding indebtedness of the commission may not exceed $14,000,000,000 at any time. The calculation of outstanding indebtedness shall include the initial principal amount of an issue and shall not include interest that is either currently payable or that accrues as a part of the face amount of an issue payable at maturity or earlier redemption. Outstanding indebtedness shall not include notes or bonds as to which the obligation of the commission has been satisfied and discharged by refunding or for which payment has been provided by reserves or otherwise.
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The Washington works housing program is created to increase opportunities for nonprofit organizations and public agencies to purchase, acquire, build, and own real property to be used for affordable housing for low and moderate-income households. The Washington works housing program is intended to provide access to new funding mechanisms and build long-term community equity by increasing the stock of permanently affordable housing owned by nonprofit organizations and public agencies.
The Washington works housing program is intended to provide these opportunities for public agencies and nonprofit organizations, including those materially participating as a managing member or general partner of a partnership, limited liability company, or equivalent organization, through the issuance of tax exempt or taxable revenue bonds issued by the commission in conjunction with a subsidy necessary to make bond issues to finance affordable housing properties financially feasible. The program is intended to provide financing for affordable housing that will meet the income and rent restrictions in (c) and (d) of this subsection during the period of initial bond indebtedness and thereafter.
During the period of initial bond indebtedness under the program, the owner of the property must meet one of the following requirements: A minimum of twenty percent of the units will be occupied by households earning less than fifty percent of area median income and an additional thirty-one percent of the units will be occupied by persons earning less than eighty percent of area median income; or forty percent of the units will be occupied by households earning less than sixty percent of area median income and an additional eleven percent of the units will be occupied by households earning less than eighty percent of area median income.
After the initial bond indebtedness is retired, the rents charged for units in the project will be adjusted to be sufficient to pay reasonable operation and maintenance expenses, including necessary capital needs, and to make reasonable deposits into a reserve account with the intent of providing affordable housing to very low or low-income households for the remaining useful life of the property. The reasonableness of the rent levels must be periodically approved by the commission based on information provided by the owner of the property about income, expenses, and necessary reserve levels. The determination of the commission regarding the reasonableness of the rent levels will be final.
The commission will enter into a recorded regulatory agreement with the borrower at the time of the issuance of bonds under the program for the purpose of ensuring that the property will meet the income and rent restrictions established in this section. The commission may charge such compliance fees as necessary to ensure enforcement of the income and rent restrictions during the useful life of the property.
One billion dollars of the outstanding indebtedness of the commission is for the primary purpose of implementing the Washington works housing program.
If no subsidies are available to make the program in subsection (2) of this section feasible, then the commission may pass a resolution stating these facts and authorize the use of a portion of the one billion dollars of indebtedness intended for the program to support its other bond programs until such time as the one billion dollars is exhausted or subsidies are available to make the program feasible.
[ 2022 c 70 § 1; 2018 c 78 § 1; 2010 1st sp.s. c 6 § 2; 2009 c 291 § 1; 2008 c 111 § 1; 2006 c 262 § 1; 1999 c 131 § 2; 1996 c 310 § 2; 1986 c 264 § 2; 1983 c 161 § 16; ]
Proceeds from the sale of all bonds issued under this chapter received by the commission shall be deposited forthwith by the commission in any trust company, savings bank, savings and loan association, or bank having the powers of a trust company within or without the state, in a special fund or funds established for the particular purposes for which the bonds were issued and sold, which money shall not be funds of the state of Washington. Such fund or funds shall at all times be segregated and set apart from all other funds and held in trust for the purposes for which such bonds were issued as determined by the commission. Money other than bond sale proceeds received by the commission for these same purposes, such as private contributions or grants from the federal government, may be deposited in such fund or funds. Proceeds received from the sale of the bonds may also be used to defray the expenses of the commission in connection with and incidental to the issuance and sale of bonds, as well as expenses for studies, surveys, estimates, plans, inspections, and examinations of or incidental to the purposes for which the bonds were issued, and other costs advanced therefor by third parties or by the commission. In lieu of the commission receiving and handling these moneys in the manner outlined in this section, the commission may appoint trustees, depositaries, paying agents, and other financial institutions within or without the state to perform the functions outlined and to receive, hold, disburse, invest, and reinvest such funds on its behalf and for the protection of the bondholders.
[ 1983 c 161 § 17; ]
All revenues received by the commission including funds received from contributions or grants or in any other form to pay principal of and interest on bonds or for other bond requirements such as reserves shall be deposited by the commission in any trust company, savings bank, savings and loan association, or bank having the powers of a trust company within or without the state, to the credit of a special trust fund or funds. The commission may establish a bond fund or funds, and a reserve, sinking fund and other accounts therein, for payment of principal and interest and for other special requirements of the bonds as determined by the commission. In lieu of the commission receiving and handling these moneys as outlined in this section, the commission may appoint trustees, depositaries, paying agents, and other financial institutions to perform the functions outlined and to receive, hold, disburse, invest, and reinvest such funds on its behalf and for the protection of the bondholders. Such revenues and funds, whether received and held by the commission or by others on its behalf, shall not be or constitute public funds of the state of Washington but at all times shall be kept segregated and apart from all other funds.
[ 1983 c 161 § 18; ]
Bonds issued under this chapter are hereby made securities in which all public officers and public bodies of the state and its political subdivisions, all insurance companies, trust companies in their commercial departments, savings banks, cooperative banks, banking associations, investment companies, executors, trustees and other fiduciaries, and all other persons whatsoever who are now or may hereafter be authorized to invest in obligations of the state may properly and legally invest funds, including capital in their control or belonging to them. Such bonds are hereby made securities which may properly and legally be deposited with and received by any state or municipal officer or any agency or political subdivisions of the state for any purpose for which the deposit of bonds and other obligations of the state are now or may hereafter be authorized by law.
[ 1983 c 161 § 19; ]
For purposes of the code:
The legislature reserves the right at any time to alter or change the structure, organization, programs, or activities of the commission and to terminate the commission, so long as the action does not impair any outstanding contracts entered into by the commission;
Any net earnings of the commission beyond that necessary to retire its bonds and to carry out the purposes of this chapter shall not inure to the benefit of any person other than the state;
Upon dissolution of the commission, title to all of its remaining property shall vest in the state;
The commission constitutes the only housing finance agency of the state of Washington; and
In order to take advantage of the maximum amount of tax exempt bonds for housing financing available pursuant to the code, any state ceiling with respect to housing shall be allocated in accordance with the following formula:
Eighty percent of the state ceiling shall be allocated to the commission and twenty percent shall be allocated to the other issuing authorities in the state.
The allocation to the issuing authorities other than the commission shall be distributed to such issuing authorities in amounts as determined following public notice by the *department of community, trade, and economic development pursuant to rules promulgated by it. The distribution shall be in response to applications received from such issuing authorities and shall be based on the following factors: (i) The amount of housing to be made available by such applicant; (ii) the population within the jurisdiction of the applicant; (iii) coordination with other applicable federal and state housing programs; (iv) the likelihood of implementing the proposed financing during that year; and (v) consistency with the plan of the commission. On or before February 1 of each year, the *department of community, trade, and economic development shall distribute the state ceiling allocation among such issuing authorities and any unused portion shall be added to the allocation of the commission. Each issuing authority other than the commission shall confirm its allocation distribution by providing to the *department of community, trade, and economic development no later than June 1 a copy of an executed bond purchase contract or alternative documentation deemed sufficient by the commission to evidence the reasonable likelihood of the allocation distribution being fully used. Any portion of such allocation not so confirmed shall be added to the allocation of the commission on July 1. Prior to July 1, the commission shall provide written notice of the allocation decrease to the affected issuing authority. The reallocation shall not limit the authority of the commission to assign a portion of its allocation pursuant to subsection (5)(c) of this section.
The commission may assign a portion of its allocation to another issuing agency.
[ 1995 c 399 § 99; 1986 c 264 § 3; 1985 c 6 § 15; 1984 c 28 § 1; 1983 c 161 § 20; ]
The commission, in cooperation with the *department of community, trade, and economic development, and the state investment board, shall develop and implement a housing finance program that:
Provides subsidized or unsubsidized mortgage financing for single-family homeownership, including a single condominium unit, located in the state of Washington;
Requests the state investment board to make investments, within its policies and investment guidelines, in mortgage-backed securities that are collateralized by loans made within the state of Washington; and
Provides flexible loan underwriting guidelines, including but not limited to provisions that will allow reduced downpayment requirements for the purchaser.
[ 1994 c 235 § 1; ]
The housing finance program developed under RCW 43.180.220 shall:
Be limited to borrowers with incomes that do not exceed one hundred fifteen percent of the state or county median family income, whichever is higher, adjusted for family size;
Be limited to first-time home buyers as defined in RCW 43.185A.010;
Be targeted so that priority is given to low-income households as defined in RCW 43.185A.010;
To the extent funds are made available, provide either downpayment or closing costs assistance to households eligible for assistance under chapter 43.185A RCW and this chapter; and
Provide notification to active participants of the state retirement systems managed by the department of retirement systems under chapter 41.50 RCW.
[ 1994 c 235 § 2; ]
The commission shall submit to the legislature in its annual report a summary of the progress of the housing finance program developed under RCW 43.180.220. The report shall include, but not be limited to the number of loans made and location of property financed under RCW 43.180.220 and 43.180.230.
The commission shall take such steps as are necessary to ensure that RCW 43.180.220 and 43.180.230 are implemented on June 9, 1994.
[ 1994 c 235 § 3; ]
The commission shall implement a condominium conversion tenant-to-homeowner program focused on opportunities for first-time homeownership. The program must assist tenants in multifamily residential buildings that are planned to be converted to condominium ownership by providing information and resources relating to homeownership. The commission must refer such tenants to its home loan and down payment assistance programs as well as any applicable homebuyer education seminars available through local partnerships. The commission may establish income eligibility requirements for tenants and qualifying purchase price thresholds under the program that are consistent with the requirements and thresholds under existing commission programs.
[ 2022 c 165 § 2; ]
By January 1, 2007, the Washington state housing finance commission shall create and implement a veteran homeownership downpayment assistance program to work in conjunction with the commission's housing finance programs. The program will assist the following individuals purchase a home:
Washington state residents who are veterans, as defined by RCW 41.04.007;
Members and former members of the Washington national guard and reserve; and
Never remarried spouses and dependent children of deceased veterans, as defined by RCW 41.04.007.
The commission shall adopt rules providing procedures to assure that the downpayment assistance program is available for qualified veterans in a fair and equitable manner.
[ 2006 c 252 § 1; ]
If economically feasible, the commission shall develop and implement a sustainable energy trust program to provide financing for qualified improvement projects. In developing the sustainable energy trust program, the commission shall establish eligibility criteria for financing that will enable it to choose eligible applicants who are likely to repay loans made or acquired by the commission and funded from the proceeds of commission bonds.
The commission shall, if economically feasible:
Issue bonds, as defined in RCW 43.180.020, for the purpose of financing loans for qualified energy efficiency and renewable energy improvement projects in accordance with RCW 43.180.150;
Participate fully in federal and other governmental programs and take actions that are necessary and consistent with this chapter to secure to itself and the people of the state the benefits of programs to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies;
Contract with a certifying authority to accept applications for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvement projects, to review applications, including binding fixed price bids for the improvements, and to approve qualified improvements for financing by the commission. For solar electric systems, the certifying authority must use an application certification process similar to the investment cost recovery incentive application process provided under RCW 82.16.120. No work by a certifying authority may commence under this section until a request has been made by the commission; and
Before entering into a contract with a certifying authority as defined in RCW 43.180.020(2)(b), consult with the Washington State University energy extension [extension energy] program to determine which potential improvement technologies are appropriate.
No general fund resources may be expended to implement this section.
[ 2009 c 65 § 3; ]
The commission may:
Issue bonds for the purpose of financing all or part of the project costs of facilities that are primarily for the production, processing, or handling of aviation biofuels or for the production, processing, or handling of nonfossil biogenic feedstocks to be used in the production of aviation biofuels;
Make or purchase loans for financing of these facilities; or
Enter into financing documents relating to the repayment of those loans or the provision of, or security for, debt service on the bonds.
In connection with the financing of project costs of facilities that are primarily for the production, processing, or handling of aviation biofuels, the commission may exercise the other powers granted the commission under this chapter, including the requirements under RCW 43.180.170 and 43.180.180.
For the purposes of this section:
"Aviation biofuels" means fuels for aviation from nonfossil biogenic feedstocks that meet the fuel quality technical standards of the American society for testing materials for aviation fuels and coproducts.
"Facilities" means land, rights in land, buildings, structures, equipment, landscaping, utilities, approaches, roadways and parking, handling and storage areas, and similar ancillary facilities.
"Financing document" means a lease, sublease, installment sale agreement, conditional sale agreement, loan agreement, mortgage, deed of trust guaranty agreement, or other agreement for the purpose of providing funds to pay or secure debt service on bonds.
"Project costs" means costs of:
Acquisition, construction, and improvement of any facilities included in a facility;
Architectural, engineering, consulting, accounting, and legal costs related directly to the development, financing, and construction of a facility, including costs of studies assessing the feasibility of a facility;
Finance costs, including discounts, if any, the costs of issuing bonds, and costs incurred in carrying out any trust agreement;
Interest during construction and during the six months after estimated completion of construction, and capitalized debt service or repair and replacement or other appropriate reserves;
The refunding of any outstanding obligations incurred for any of the costs outlined in this subsection; and
Other costs incidental to any of the costs listed in this section.
[ 2012 c 63 § 3; ]
The commission may develop and implement a program to provide financing for beginning farmers. In developing the program, the commission shall establish eligibility criteria for financing that will enable it to choose applicants who are likely to repay loans made or acquired by the commission and funded from the proceeds of commission bonds.
The commission may:
Issue revenue bonds as defined in RCW 43.180.020(1) for the purpose of financing loans to beginning farmers in accordance with RCW 43.180.150;
Do all things necessary to provide for the exemption of interest on its bonds from federal income taxation; and
Participate fully in federal and other governmental programs and take such actions as are necessary and consistent with this chapter to secure to itself and the people of the state the benefits of those programs for beginning farmers.
[ 2005 c 120 § 2; ]
It is the intent of the legislature to investigate methods by which the state may establish or facilitate financing models that allow electric utilities in the state to maximize federal tax incentives and monetize the depreciation of renewable energy systems and other distributed energy assets, with the goal of providing improved access to the benefits of these assets to low and moderate-income households as well as broad system benefits to utility ratepayers and state taxpayers.
By December 31, 2017, the commission must prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of the legislature a report that assesses financing tools or models for the aggregation, by public or private entities, of federal tax incentives and other financial benefits accruing from the installation, ownership, and operation of renewable energy systems and other distributed energy resources. The report must:
Assess the legal, financial, and economic feasibility of one or more financing tools or models for the aggregation of federal tax incentives and other financial benefits accruing from the installation, ownership, and operation of renewable energy systems and other distributed energy resources;
Consider the state and federal legal aspects of such a financing tool or model, including considerations of how to structure the role of the state or any subdivision of the state in a manner that is consistent with the Constitution of the state of Washington; and
Describe any legislation that may be necessary to facilitate, implement, or create incentives for the private sector to implement such a financing tool or model within the state.
Beginning July 1, 2018, the commission may implement a financing tool or model for the aggregation, by public or private entities, of federal tax incentives and other financial benefits accruing from the installation, ownership, and operation of renewable energy systems and other distributed energy resources if the commission determines that it is legally, financially, and economically feasible and that it would further the public policy goals set forth in subsection (1) of this section.
As used in RCW 43.180.310 through 43.180.360, the following terms have the meanings indicated unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
"Construction" or "construct" means construction and acquisition, whether by device, purchase, gift, lease, or otherwise.
"Facilities" means land, rights in land, buildings, structures, equipment, landscaping, utilities, approaches, roadways and parking, handling and storage areas, and similar ancillary facilities.
"Financing document" means a lease, sublease, installment sale agreement, conditional sale agreement, loan agreement, mortgage, deed of trust guaranty agreement, or other agreement for the purpose of providing funds to pay or secure debt service on revenue bonds.
"Improvement" means reconstruction, remodeling, rehabilitation, extension, and enlargement. "To improve" means to reconstruct, to remodel, to rehabilitate, to extend, and to enlarge.
"Nonprofit corporation" means a nonprofit organization described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or similar successor provisions, any public development authority, or any organization identified in RCW 43.185A.040.
"Nonprofit facilities" means facilities owned or used by a nonprofit corporation for any nonprofit activity described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that qualifies such a corporation for an exemption from federal income taxes under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or similar successor provisions provided that facilities which may be funded pursuant to chapter 28B.07, 35.82, or 70.37 RCW shall not be included in this definition.
"Project costs" means costs of (a) acquisition, construction, and improvement of any facilities included in a nonprofit facility; (b) architectural, engineering, consulting, accounting, and legal costs related directly to the development, financing, and construction of a nonprofit facility, including costs of studies assessing the feasibility of a nonprofit facility; (c) finance costs, including discounts, if any, the costs of issuing revenue bonds, and costs incurred in carrying out any trust agreement; (d) interest during construction and during the six months after estimated completion of construction, and capitalized debt service or repair and replacement or other appropriate reserves; (e) the refunding of any outstanding obligations incurred for any of the costs outlined in this subsection; and (f) other costs incidental to any of the costs listed in this section.
"Revenue bond" means a taxable or tax-exempt nonrecourse revenue bond, nonrecourse revenue note, or other nonrecourse revenue obligation issued for the purpose of providing financing to a nonprofit corporation on an interim or permanent basis.
"User" means one or more persons acting as lessee, purchaser, mortgagor, or borrower under a financing document and may include a party who transfers the right of use and occupancy to another party by lease, sublease, or otherwise.
[ 2018 c 78 § 2; 1997 c 44 § 1; 1990 c 167 § 2; ]
The commission has the following powers with respect to nonprofit facilities together with all powers incidental thereto or necessary for the performance thereof:
To make secured loans to nonprofit corporations for the purpose of providing temporary or permanent financing or refinancing of all or part of the project cost of any nonprofit facility, including the refunding of any outstanding obligations, mortgages, or advances issued, made, or given by any person for the project costs of a nonprofit corporation; and to charge and collect interest on the loans for the loan payments upon such terms and conditions as its commissioners consider advisable which are not in conflict with this subchapter;
To issue revenue bonds for the purpose of financing all or part of the project cost of any nonprofit facility and to secure the payment of the revenue bonds as provided in this subchapter;
To collect fees or charges from users or prospective users of nonprofit facilities to recover actual or anticipated administrative costs;
To execute financing documents incidental to the powers enumerated in this section;
To accept grants and gifts;
To establish such special funds with any financial institution providing fiduciary services within or without the state as it deems necessary and appropriate and invest money therein.
[ 1990 c 167 § 3; ]
The proceeds of the revenue bonds of each issue shall be used solely for the purposes set forth in this subchapter and shall be disbursed in such manner and under such restrictions, if any, provided in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the revenue bonds or in the trust agreement securing the bonds. If the proceeds of the revenue bonds of any series issued with respect to the cost of any nonprofit facility exceeds the cost of the nonprofit facility for which issued, the surplus shall be deposited to the credit of the debt service fund for the revenue bonds or used to purchase the revenue bonds in the open market.
The commission may issue interim notes in the manner provided for the issuance of revenue bonds to fund nonprofit facilities prior to issuing other revenue bonds to fund such facilities. The commission may issue revenue bonds to fund nonprofit facilities that are exchangeable for other revenue bonds, when these other revenue bonds are executed and available for delivery.
The principal of and interest on any revenue bonds issued by the commission shall be secured by a pledge of unexpended bond proceeds and the revenues and receipts derived from the nonprofit facilities funded by the revenue bonds pursuant to financing documents. The resolution under which the revenue bonds are authorized to be issued and any financing document may contain agreements and provisions respecting the maintenance or use of the nonprofit facility covered thereby, the fixing and collection of rents, purchase price payments or loan payments, the creation and maintenance of special funds from such revenues or from revenue bond proceeds, the rights and remedies available in the event of default, and other provisions relating to the security for the bonds, all as the commission considers advisable which are not in conflict with this subchapter.
All revenue bonds issued under this subchapter and any interest coupons applicable thereto are negotiable instruments within the meaning of Article 8 of the uniform commercial code, Title 62A RCW, regardless of form or character.
Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, such bonds and interim notes may be issued and sold in accordance with chapter 39.46 RCW.
[ 1990 c 167 § 4; ]
The commission may provide by resolution for the issuance of revenue refunding bonds for the purpose of refunding any obligations issued for a nonprofit facility, including the payment of any redemption premium thereon and any interest accrued or to accrue to the date of redemption or maturity of the revenue bonds and, if considered advisable by the commission, for the additional purpose of financing improvements, extensions, or enlargements to the nonprofit facility for another nonprofit facility. The issuance of the revenue refunding bonds, the maturities and other details thereof, the rights of the owners thereof, and the rights, duties, and obligations of the commission in respect to the same shall be governed by this chapter insofar as applicable.
[ 1990 c 167 § 5; ]
Any bonds issued under this subchapter may be secured by a trust agreement between the commission and a corporate trustee, which may be any trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company within or without the state. The trust agreement may evidence a pledge or assignment of the financing documents and lease, sale, or loan revenues to be received from a lessee or purchaser of or borrower with respect to a nonprofit facility for the payment of principal of and interest and any premium on the bonds as the same shall become due and payable and may provide for creation and maintenance of reserves for these purposes. A trust agreement or resolution providing for the issuance of the revenue bonds may contain such provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the bondowners as may be reasonable and proper and not in violation of law, including covenants setting forth the duties in relation to the acquisition of property and the construction, improvement, maintenance, use, repair, operation, and insurance of the nonprofit facility for which the bonds are authorized, and the custody, safeguarding, and application of all money. Any bank or trust company incorporated under the laws of the state which may act as depository of the proceeds of revenue bonds or of revenues may furnish such indemnifying bonds or pledge such securities as may be required by the commission. A trust agreement may set forth the rights and remedies of the bondowners and of the trustee and may restrict the individual right of action by bondowners as is customary in trust agreements or trust indentures securing bonds and debentures of private corporations. In addition, a trust agreement may contain such provisions as the commission considers reasonable and proper for the security of the bondowners which are not in conflict with this subchapter.
[ 1990 c 167 § 6; ]
A lessee or contracting party under a sale contract or loan agreement shall not be required to be the eventual user of a nonprofit facility if any sublessee or assignee assumes all of the obligations of the lessee or contracting party under the lease, sale contract, or loan agreement, but the lessee or contracting party or their successors shall remain primarily liable for all of its obligations under the lease, sale contract, or loan agreement and the use of the nonprofit facility shall be consistent with the purposes of this subchapter.
[ 1990 c 167 § 7; ]
The proceedings authorizing any revenue bonds under this subchapter or any financing document securing the revenue bonds may provide that if there is a default in the payment of the principal of or the interest on the bonds or in the performance of any agreement contained in the proceedings or financing document, the payment and performance may be enforced by mandamus or by the appointment of a receiver in equity with power to charge and collect rents, purchase price payments, and loan repayments, and to apply the revenues from the nonprofit facility in accordance with the proceedings or provisions of the financing document. Any financing document entered into under this subchapter may also provide that if there is a default in the payment thereof or a violation of any agreement contained in the financing document, the nonprofit facility may be foreclosed and sold under proceedings in equity or in any other manner now or hereafter permitted by law. Any financing document may also provide that any trustee under the financing document or the holder of any revenue bonds secured thereby may become the purchaser at any foreclosure sale if it is the highest bidder.
[ 1990 c 167 § 8; ]
If any part of this chapter is found to be in conflict with federal requirements which are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state, the conflicting part of this chapter is hereby declared to be inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict and with respect to the agencies directly affected, and such finding or determination shall not affect the operation of the remainder of this chapter in its application to the agencies concerned. The rules under this chapter shall meet federal requirements which are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the state.
[ 1983 c 161 § 21; ]
This chapter, being necessary for the welfare of the state and its inhabitants, shall be liberally construed to effect the purposes thereof.
[ 1983 c 161 § 23; ]
As used in this chapter and RCW 82.04.408, section captions constitute no part of the law.
[ 1983 c 161 § 24; ]
Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.
Section 10 of this act shall take effect on January 1, 1984.
[ 1983 c 161 § 32; ]
For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to marital relationships and married persons, and references to dissolution of marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships that have been terminated, dissolved, or invalidated, to the extent that such interpretation does not conflict with federal law. Where necessary to implement chapter 521, Laws of 2009, gender-specific terms such as husband and wife used in any statute, rule, or other law shall be construed to be gender neutral, and applicable to individuals in state registered domestic partnerships.
[ 2009 c 521 § 109; ]