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Regional Housing Council sends largely flat funding package to Thurston County commissioners, seeks offsets for ERP cuts
Summary
RHC staff told commissioners that most homeless‑services funding will be renewed, with modest increases (about $132,000 CHG, $40,000 HEN) and recommendations to use CHG funds to offset a loss in ERP funding for Unity Commons; staff also recommended $773,000 for a Queen Street capital request in addition to recent approvals.
Regional Housing Council staff presented June recommendations to the board on May 19, saying the local homeless‑services funding landscape is largely flat but includes targeted increases and reallocations.
Tom Webster summarized the RHC's package: most service contracts are renewals from two‑year awards, with an additional ~$132,000 in consolidated homeless grant (CHG) dollars and roughly $40,000 for Housing & Essential Needs (HEN). Staff recommended CHG be used in part to offset the loss of ERP‑funding for Unity Commons after Commerce indicated it will not continue that ERP support.
Webster said the RHC will recommend a total of $773,000 for the Queen Street project in addition to about $440,000 the board approved recently, bringing the county's recent support for that project to more than $1.2 million.
Staff noted the ERP regional allocation of $5.5 million remains in the current Commerce budget but warned that some federal and state funding streams carry uncertainty; the RHC is drafting contingency planning in case of future cuts. Commissioners asked about vendor oversight for Lehigh (Maple Court). Staff described a performance checklist used in monthly operational assessments that covers staffing, landlord engagement, building safety, invoicing and security; staff said they will provide further operational reports and recommended contract controls.
The RHC also proposed one‑year cold and hazardous weather contracts (three providers) and modest capital project awards drawn from local home‑fund and document‑recording‑fee receipts. Staff said opportunity funds set aside from a returned project award would be used for emergent capital needs, and that staff will return with a full list of recommended capital awards in June.
No final board action was taken during the work session; the RHC recommendations will be presented for approval at a future business meeting.
