WA HB1429

Establishes the Extended Foster Care Housing Program to provide rental assistance for up to 36 months to youth receiving extended foster care services who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, with benefits ending at age 21

Requires eligible youth to pay no more than 30% of adjusted gross income toward rent (or 40% if rent and utilities exceed fair market rent), with rental assistance amounts based on local fair market rent

Addresses the problem that approximately 13% of young people in extended foster care experienced homelessness in state fiscal year 2024, often because accessing federal housing vouchers requires exiting foster care and losing support services

Mandates the Department of Children, Youth, and Families conduct competitive procurement for program operation and collect annual data on housing status of youth in extended foster care

Requires transition planning at least three months before a youth's 21st birthday, including assessment of housing stability, assistance applying for federal housing vouchers, and referrals to housing, education, employment, healthcare, and public benefits