(1) The department shall establish a shelter assistance program to provide, within available funds, shelter for persons eligible under this chapter. "Shelter," "shelter support," or "shelter assistance" means a facility under contract to the department providing room and board in a supervised living arrangement, normally in a group or dormitory setting, to eligible recipients under this chapter. This may include supervised domiciliary facilities operated under the auspices of public or private agencies. No facility under contract to the department shall allow the consumption of alcoholic beverages on the premises. The department may contract with counties and cities for such shelter services. To the extent possible, the department shall not displace existing emergency shelter beds for use as shelter under this chapter. In areas of the state in which it is not feasible to develop shelters, due to low numbers of people needing shelter services, or in which sufficient numbers of shelter beds are not available, the department may provide shelter through an intensive protective payee program, unless the department grants an exception on an individual basis for less intense supervision.
(2) Persons continuously eligible for the disability lifeline program since July 25, 1987, who transfer to the program established by this chapter, have the option to continue their present living situation, but only through a protective payee.
[2010 1st sp.s. c 8 § 31; 1989 1st ex.s. c 18 § 3; 1988 c 163 § 4; 1987 c 406 § 7.]
Notes: Findings -- Intent -- Short title -- Effective date -- 2010 1st sp.s. c 8: See notes following RCW 74.04.225.
Study and report -- Severability -- Effective date -- 1989 1st ex.s. c 18: See notes following RCW 74.50.011.