Task Force to reconvene review committee after $445,167 in supplemental Commerce funds awarded

Task Force staff announced that the county received $445,167 in supplemental document-recording fee funds from the Washington State Department of Commerce for the 2025 funding period. The funds must support existing programs and services; staff said they will contact previously reviewed applicants and reconvene the original review committee to allocate the supplemental dollars. Staff said the funds will be distributed for one year and that they will first confirm continued need with agencies that submitted proposals in the earlier round. Task Force members who served on the initial review panel will be asked to re-review applications and recommend allocations. Separately, staff announced the start of a feasibility study to examine developing a hospice / skilled-nursing care facility to serve people experiencing homelessness. Staff said they are assembling an advisory board and will include stakeholders from across the county; the first advisory meeting was expected by the end of the month. The feasibility study is at an early stage and staff characterized it as exploratory and regionally focused.