HASCO-Housing Authority of Snohomish County
 

Posted by Gary O'Rielly on Jul 21, 2020
   Duane Leonard, Executive Director-HASCO

Our guest speaker via Zoom last week spoke about the Housing Authority of Snohomish County. Another great program with lots of information on the organization and their contributions to  Snohomish County. Duane, thanks so much for being with us last week on ZOOM. 

Duane has extensive experience in public sector finance including working at the Washington State Auditor’s Office and the City of Tacoma. Duane served on the Washington State Treasurer’s Local Government Investment Pool Advisory Committee from 1997 to 2003. During his twenty years at the Housing Authority, Duane has overseen the finances of the agency as it grew from approximately 1,600 vouchers and 830 housing units to over 3,400 vouchers and 2,100 units of housing.

History of the Housing Authorities in the United States

The U.S. Housing Authority Act of 1937 created the United States Housing Authority to provide Federal subsidies to Local Housing Agencies. Washington Stated passed "enabling legislation" allowing for the creation of the Local Housing Agencies in 1939. They are hybrids. Independent Local Government Agencies established to receive Federal resources; with broad powers to carry out their purpose, but no ability to assess local taxes.

Housing Authority in Snohomish County

The Housing Authority of Snohomish County (HASCO) was established in 1971 to provide affordable housing, enhance quality of life, and build safer & stronger communities. HASCO has helped a significant number of people in its 40 year history. Today, state and local governments are taking the lead for meeting the housing needs of their communities. In recognition of declining federal funds and an affordable housing stock that is not growing fast enough to meet the needs of Snohomish County citizens, HASCO has moved beyond its original mission of serving very low income households to also assist working families who are being squeezed by stagnant wages and increasing housing costs.

Why were Housing Authorities created. Here are the declarations in the act:
  1. There exists unsafe housing conditions in the state (area of operation).
  2. The conditions cannot be relieved or cleared by the private sector.
  3. Remediation is a public purpose for which public money can be spent.
  4. In the public interest to work on such projects as soon as possible to relieve unemployment now (1939) which constitutes and emergency, the necessity is in the public interest, and declared a matter of legislative determination.
 
HASCO's focus has been on preservation of existing housing and accessing Tenant Based Assistance subsidies (Housing Choice Vouchers-Section 8). Over 90% of units they own have been purchased on the open market. They are not a Code Enforcement nor Dispute Resolution agency. HASCO is a landlord who own approximately 2,400 multifamily units. They also administer the United States Housing and Urban Development Housing Choice Voucher Program.
 
HASCO was a founding member of both the Housing Consortium and the Alliance for Housing Affordability which is an advocacy organization that they are actively involved in both organizations. Sources of income come from the Section 8-Vouchers as a fee for service program and most income is earned by collecting rents from their property. HASCO can issue tax-exempt debt. HASCO owns and manages 2,416 units in 46 locations in the county. 470 units are elderly subsidized units and 143 units are homeowners in three manufactured home parks. The remaining 1,800 units are workforce housing competing in the open market.

Concluding thoughts: Government sponsorship is required but neither the private sector or the Government can solve this problem alone. Citizens must demand action from their elected leaders to support affordable housing. The problem will not get any better by itself. So much more could be added to this article. Anyone wishing to see the full presentation can let us know and we will send it to you.