County to accept $445,167 in Commerce funds for homelessness assistance; allocation will go through homelessness task force

The Clallam County Board of Commissioners moved Aug. 12 to approve an agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce for $445,167 in supplemental homelessness assistance funding for the state fiscal year 2025.

Why it matters: County staff said the funds are additional document reporting fees collected and allocated by the state to counties to support homelessness programs. County Health and Human Services will take the funds to the homelessness task force subcommittee to develop distribution recommendations.

Details: County staff characterized the money as “supplemental funds” intended to sustain and maintain current program operations rather than to create a new program. Commissioners asked whether the funding would flow directly to a specific provider; staff confirmed allocation decisions will come through the homelessness task force and are not earmarked to a single service provider. The board approved the agreement and noted the Health and Human Services subcommittee and homelessness task force will set distribution priorities.

Public comment and context: During public comment earlier in the meeting, a resident asked for more transparency on homelessness spending and related impacts to county services; the motion and staff response reiterate that allocation will follow established task-force recommendations.

Next steps: Health and Human Services will return to the homelessness task force subcommittee with details and recommendations prior to funds distribution.