(1) An eligible youth participating in the independent youth housing program must:

     (a) Sign a program compliance agreement stating that the youth agrees to:

     (i) Timely pay his or her portion of the independent housing cost;

     (ii) Comply with an independent living plan; and

     (iii) Comply with other program requirements and policies the department may establish; and

     (b) Maintain his or her status as an eligible youth, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section.

     (2) The department shall establish policies and procedures to allow the youth to remain in the program and continue to receive a housing stipend if the youth's total income exceeds fifty percent of the area median income during the course of his or her participation in the program. The policies must require the youth to:

     (a) Participate in the individual development account program established under RCW 43.31.460 and invest a portion, to be determined by the department, of his or her income that exceeds fifty percent of the area median income in an individual development account; or

     (b) If the youth is unable to participate in the individual development account program due to the program's capacity limits or eligibility requirements, participate in an alternate supervised savings program approved by the department, as long as the youth qualifies for and may participate in this savings program.

     (3) An eligible youth may participate in the independent youth housing program for any duration of time and may apply to enroll in the program with the department at any time.

     (4)(a) A youth may be terminated from the independent youth housing program for a violation of department policies.

     (b) Youth who are terminated from the program may apply to the department for reenrollment in the program through a procedure to be developed by the department. The department shall establish criteria to evaluate a reenrollment application and may accept or deny a reenrollment application based on the department's evaluation.

[2007 c 316 § 4.]

NOTES:

     Finding -- 2007 c 316: See note following RCW 43.63A.305.