New law lets Snohomish County pour millions into rental assistance

OLYMPIA — A bill enabling Snohomish County to redirect as much as $5 million a year into rental assistance for people and families was signed into law Friday by Gov. Jay Inslee.

Senate Bill 5604 provides local governments greater flexibility in the spending of tax collections targeted for mental health treatment programs and affordable housing.

It deals with two different sales and use taxes collected in some cities and counties around the state, including Snohomish County.

One is a one-tenth of a cent sales tax, proceeds from which must be spent on chemical dependency and mental health treatment services. Under the new law, those dollars can be used for repairs and modifications to existing buildings in which programs and services are offered. Snohomish County has collected this tax since 2008.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/new-law-lets-snohomish-county-pour-millions-into-rental-assistance/ar-AA19Soq5