Lewis County approves contract amendments to expand homelessness services through June 2026

The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners approved amendments to several provider agreements on Oct. 14 that add funding and extend contract timelines for homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing and coordinated-entry services through June 30, 2026.

Mija Hanlon, director of Public Health Social Services, presented five amendments that the board approved together. The amendments add funding to agreements with Coastal Community Action Program, Housing Resource Center, the Salvation Army, Reliable Enterprises (a short-term gap fill), and Hope Alliance. Each amendment extends the contract performance date to June 30, 2026 and was approved 3-0.

The largest amendment, Resolution 25-284, increases the county's agreement with Coastal Community Action Program by $584,250, bringing the total for that agreement to $779,000. Hanlon said the homeless-prevention component of that agreement is increased from $12,500 to $50,000.

Resolution 25-285 amends the county's agreement with Housing Resource Center, adding $87,500 for a total contract value of $175,000 tied to individual-family shelter services. Resolution 25-286 amends the agreement with the Salvation Army, adding $93,750 for a total of $125,000 for coordinated-entry services; Hanlon said the county approved a request for proposals for these services the prior day and that a future amendment could follow if the provider changes. Hanlon also said contracts contain termination clauses and require a transition plan if the county changes providers mid-contract.

Resolution 25-287 authorizes a short-term gap-fill payment to Reliable Enterprises for $51,300 covering July 1 to Sept. 30 tied to permanent supportive housing and a subsidy related to the Reliable Phase 2 project; Hanlon said an amendment to extend that agreement to June 30, 2026 and add funding was pending signature.

When asked whether the voucher for Reliable Phase 2 was coming from the Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG), Hanlon said the subsidies for that project are not eligible under many CHG components and that the county is using local document and recording fee dollars (amount not specified). She added that the units at that location are already subsidized and that the Washington State Department of Commerce had indicated issues with providing an additional subsidy for those rental units.

Resolution 25-288 amends the agreement with Hope Alliance by $183,841.50 for a total of $245,122 to support rapid rehousing and homeless prevention; Hanlon said that compared with last year the award was slightly higher than roughly $220,000.

The board voted, by voice, to approve Resolutions 25-284 through 25-288 after discussion; the motion passed 3-0.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 25-283 (consent: warrants/payroll and Oct. 7, 2025 minutes) ' approved 3-0. Resolution 25-284 (Coastal Community Action Program amendment) ' approved 3-0. Resolution 25-285 (Housing Resource Center amendment) ' approved 3-0. Resolution 25-286 (Salvation Army amendment) ' approved 3-0. Resolution 25-287 (Reliable Enterprises gap-fill) ' approved 3-0. Resolution 25-288 (Hope Alliance amendment) ' approved 3-0.

County staff noted that some providers submitted extensive documentation (one billing exceeded 200 pages) and that the county requires detailed records from funded providers. The Salvation Army amendment may be revisited following the RFP process to secure coordinated-entry services.

The board's actions extend funding and contract timelines for multiple homelessness-response programs while preserving procurement and transition requirements should the county change providers.