Task force proposes trimmed funding for homelessness, affordable‑housing programs as revenue falls

Clallam County staff presented recommendations from the homelessness task force and a review committee to the Board of County Commissioners on April 7, 2025, proposing reduced two‑year contract awards for homelessness and affordable‑housing programs as county revenues fall.

Staff reported the county received 12 proposals: nine for Homeless Housing and Assistance funds (the prior “2163” program) totaling $1,613,559.66, and three for Affordable Housing funds totaling $237,652. The county budgeted $360,000 per year for Homeless Housing and Assistance ($720,000 for two years) and $65,000 per year for Affordable Housing ( $130,000 for two years), both substantial reductions from prior cycles.

The review committee — four members of the homelessness task force — evaluated proposals by connection to funding priorities, availability of other funding, community need and past performance, then interviewed applicants. Committee members were John DeBoer (board member representing people with lived experience of homelessness), Laurel Schreiner (task‑force alternate representing United Way), Amy Miller (task‑force member representing the City of Port Angeles) and Lani Grenninger (task‑force member representing a local community group). Staff said the committee recommended partial funding for multiple programs to preserve geographic coverage and services to targeted populations.

Key recommendations presented to the board included:

- Trinity United Methodist Church — safe‑parking program for people living in vehicles: committee recommended $50,000 per year (recommended total $105,000 vs. applicant request $137,890). - Serenity House — shelter operations (existing countywide service): committee recommended $138,000 per year ( $276,000 total) versus an applicant two‑year request of $806,561.63; staff warned reduced funding could force decreased operating hours. - Taffy (agency name in proposal) — startup and operational support: committee recommended funding of $12,000 per year for the StartFleet/operations program and $30,000 per year for the Bridging the Gap operating support (partial funding of both requests). - Boys & Girls Club — teen homelessness prevention and resources: recommended $30,000 per year (partial funding despite a high score because committee judged the organization likely able to access other funds). - Forks Abuse (d.b.a. Mariposa House) — West End HOPE program (domestic violence services): recommended $30,000 per year to preserve services in an area with fewer resources. - Sarge’s Veterans Support — case manager and utilities/kitchen remodel requests: committee recommended $20,000 per year for case management and a reduced capital/utility award of $30,790.70 (year 1) and $20,000 (year 2) to leverage other funds and loans. - Healthy Families — housing navigator and emergency shelter rental support: committee recommended $50,000 per year for the housing navigator request and a split recommendation for the emergency-shelter rental support (approximately $20,178.30 in year 1 and $44,031 in year 2, for a reduced total). - Peninsula Housing Authority — Eklund and Gales architectural fees (24‑unit affordable housing project): committee recommended $15,000 in year 1 (applicant asked for $50,000 year 1).

Staff emphasized contract length and timing: recommended contracts would be two‑year agreements covering July 2025–June 2027, with separate contracts for homelessness and affordable‑housing funds. Staff also noted the county previously used fund reserves to increase awards in past cycles and those reserves are now low. Commissioners asked whether agencies could raise additional funds if the county provided partial awards; staff said several applicants indicated they would pursue other sources.

Also on the agenda was a resolution to appoint two city council representatives to the homelessness task force. Staff said Joe Sohaw (Forks City Council) and Amy Miller (Port Angeles City Council) were recommended for the seats; the board did not record a formal roll‑call vote in the session notes and staff said contracts would be returned to the board for signature at a future meeting.

Staff and commissioners discussed monitoring and reporting: the contracts will require periodic reporting; staff said data collection processes are being improved though limited fund size constrains options for a dedicated dashboard. Commissioners urged continued follow‑up to ensure programs meet metrics and to confirm other funding sources for partially‑funded projects.