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Skagit County Public Health reviews HOME CAPER; VOA North construction under way, TBRA served 40 households
Summary
At a Sept. 22 public hearing Skagit County Public Health summarized the HOME Consortium CAPER for plan year 2024, reporting HOME‑ARP and HOME program spending on development projects (including VOA North) and tenant‑based rental assistance that served 40 households, mostly extremely low‑income.
Skagit County Public Health on Sept. 22 presented the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the HOME Consortium’s 2024 program year at a public hearing, describing spending and project activity funded through HUD’s HOME and HOME‑ARP programs.
Madeline Anthony of Skagit County Public Health’s community services team told the Board of County Commissioners the CAPER covers the reporting period from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and that the consortium — for which Skagit County is the lead jurisdiction — includes Island and Whatcom counties and local partners. Commissioners clarified during the hearing that the city of Bellingham receives its own HOME allocation and is not included in Whatcom County’s figures.
Anthony said the consortium used much of its HOME funding for affordable housing development projects and carried over funds from prior years to support construction activity. She reported the consortium received HOME‑ARP funding of $3,590,000 and described several development projects that are underway or planned: - VOA North (Burlington, Skagit County): 42 affordable units; construction began in July; 12 units are set aside for the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program; units will be restricted at lower income levels (discussed as 30% and 50% of area median income). - Colcham View Housing (Mount Vernon): a planned Community Action project estimated at 25 units, with six units set aside to work with the school district for families experiencing homelessness. - Generations Place (Langley, Island County): a planned 14‑unit affordable rental project; Community Action and another local nonprofit were described as newly certified CHDOs (Community Housing Development Organizations) during the presentation.
On tenant‑based rental assistance (TBRA), Anthony said the consortium served 40 households during the reporting year; the majority were single‑parent or two‑parent family households referred from the coordinated entry system, and 93% of TBRA participants were at or below 30% of area median income.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about program rules and long‑term affordability. Anthony said HOME affordability requirements attach to projects funded by HOME, and commissioners discussed an affordability period of 20 years for HOME‑funded units.
The public hearing included comments from residents. Anthony Romano, who identified himself as owner of Plot 44681, described receiving enforcement letters from Public Health related to a septic system and said he had not been able to resolve the issue; he asked county staff for follow up. Earlier, a resident raised concerns about a parks‑and‑recreation property swap (Plot 44674) and said the swap had devalued their property.
No decision was taken at the hearing; commissioners closed the public comment period and noted that written comments would remain open through the following day. The board moved, seconded and closed the public hearing before adjourning the public‑agenda session.
