SB 6205: A Bill to Crack Down on Housing Grant Corruption

Washington’s housing grant system — designed to help struggling families with things like loans, foreclosure prevention, and home repairs — has instead become a playground for insiders and corruption. Serious whistleblower allegations show state-funded housing grants being steered to people with connections, with at least one case involving a nonprofit official’s daughter receiving $350,000 toward a $425,000 home, and other funds reportedly used to pay personal credit card debt. Learn more here.

Senate Bill 6205 sponsored by Sen. John Braun confronts this insider corruption head-on. It would strengthen accountability and transparency for state housing grants by requiring the WA State Department of Commerce to audit how these funds are distributed and report back to the Legislature — so that grants go to the truly disadvantaged, not to insiders with connections.

This bill matters because:

• It prevents insider access and misuse of government funds meant for economically disadvantaged people.
• It creates real reporting and oversight, not the current opaque process that allowed abuse.
• It restores public trust in how housing aid is managed and spent.

State spending has doubled over the past decade. Just last year, Democrat leaders and the governor enacted the largest tax increases in Washington state history. And this year, they’re already pushing to impose a state income tax.

Before lawmakers ask taxpayers for even more, they must first deliver real transparency and accountability for the money already being spent. This bill is a necessary place to start.

The clock is ticking. The Senate Housing & Local Government Committee will hear the transparency bill SB 6205 this Wednesday, January 28 at 10:30 a.m.

This is our chance to show broad support for accountability, fairness, and fiscal integrity.  We need your help kill this bill!

Here’s how you can make your voice count:

 Sign in PRO to testify at the hearing

 Submit written testimony supporting the bill

A brief statement from you — even a sentence or two — helps legislators understand the strong public demand for clean government and real oversight.