Pacific County signs on to Department of Commerce homeless grant process and issues notice to develop five‑year plan

The Pacific County Board of County Commissioners on March 25 authorized the county to submit part one of the Washington State Department of Commerce consolidated homeless grant application for 2025–27 and approved issuing the notice to begin development of the county’s five-year homelessness housing plan for 2025–2030.

Health and Human Services staff explained that the consolidated grant is “truly a consolidated homeless grant” that funds multiple program areas. Speaker 9 (S9) told commissioners the grant supports coordinated entry, outreach, rapid rehousing, homeless-prevention funds and helps match the county’s permanent supportive housing contracts. "This helps fund our homeless crisis response system," Speaker 9 said.

The board also approved issuing the Notice of Plan Development required under state law (RCW 43.185C.160) to ensure public notification and participation in creating the five-year plan. Speaker 9 said the county will seek representation from required partners and that a second part of the application will follow once state budget categories are known.

Jessica (S11) and other staff thanked Darien’s team for their work on grants and planning. Commissioners approved both motions by voice vote.

Why it matters: the Department of Commerce consolidated homeless grant helps fund a suite of homelessness response services across outreach, rapid rehousing and prevention and supports the county’s capacity to subcontract with service partners. The Notice of Plan Development begins a statutorily required local planning process that will shape how state and local funds are used in Pacific County over the coming five years.

What’s next: Health & Human Services will proceed with partner outreach and submit the second part of the grant application when the state finalizes budget categories and award amounts.