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Commissioners discuss affordable‑housing financing options and role of county in homelessness response
Summary
Commissioners and staff discussed federal low‑income housing tax credits and community efforts to address homelessness, including examples like Sunrise Village and questions about the county’s role in running programs.
Cowlitz County commissioners spent a portion of their Jan. 13 meeting discussing affordable‑housing financing and the county’s potential role in addressing homelessness.
Chairman McDowell summarized information he said he had gathered after attending a separate city meeting and speaking with Jennifer Westerman from Hawswa (as identified in the record). He described the federal low‑income housing tax credit process administered by the Internal Revenue Service, saying an awarded allocation of tax credits can be marketed through an RFP and often attracts institutional investors. McDowell gave Sunrise Village as an example and said the winning bid for that project was about $10 million; he said tax credits are sometimes awarded for 15 years and then monetized by an investor who recoups returns over the credit period.
Commissioners and attendees debated what role county government should play in operating homelessness or supportive‑housing programs. Several commissioners said the county should avoid running direct service programs but could help facilitate or incentivize third‑party organizations. One commissioner said the county would be better positioned to “facilitate” through partnerships with tribes, hospitals and nonprofit providers; McDowell said he has a meeting planned with the Cowlitz Tribe and the local hospital system to explore options.
Speakers cautioned that applying for tax credits is a laborious process and typically driven by housing developers or agencies; county staff and commissioners noted private entities or banks commonly participate to monetize credits. Commissioners emphasized they do not want the county to be the program operator but are open to helping secure funding or partnerships that would allow community providers to run supportive programs.
Ending
Commissioners agreed to continue engagement with regional partners to explore funding and program models; no formal action or funding was approved at the meeting.
