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Skagit County holds public hearing on HOME consortium plan; about $800,800 allocated for housing programs
Summary
Skagit County Public Health presented the HOME consortium 2026 Annual Action Plan — a formula allocation of roughly $800,831 across three counties that proposes 40% for development projects, 35% for tenant-based rental assistance and 15% for CHDO projects; public comment urged more homeownership set-asides.
Skagit County commissioners on April 27 held a public hearing on the HOME consortium’s 2026 Annual Action Plan, which sets priorities and spending for federally funded HOME program activities across Skagit, Whatcom and Island counties.
Madeline Anthony, Housing Resource Coordinator with Skagit County Public Health, told the board the consortium was awarded approximately $800,831 for the 2026 program year and that the allocation follows a HUD formula that considers poverty levels and population. Anthony said the consortium proposes to allocate about 40% of the award to consortium housing-development projects, 15% to CHDO (Community Housing Development Organization) development, 35% to tenant-based rental assistance (TBRA) and 10% for administration and planning. The consortium expects to serve a minimum of roughly 18 households across the three counties under TBRA in the coming year.
Anthony outlined current development projects funded from earlier years, including Generations Place (14 units, Whidbey Island), VOA North (42 rental units in Burlington targeted at lower-income households and veterans using VASH vouchers) and the Kolshian View property in Mount Vernon (with six units set aside for homeless families). She said a NOFA (notice of funding availability) for development projects is open and was extended to June 26 to encourage applications.
Commissioners asked technical questions about TBRA. Anthony said TBRA operates similarly to Section 8: households typically pay about 30% of income toward rent; initial lease terms are commonly one year, many households remain for two years, and supports include progressive engagement and case-management services with possible extensions depending on need and funding.
During public comment, Paul Schisler, a community development planner, praised the county’s administration of HOME funds and encouraged the county to consider setting aside funding for homeownership and down-payment assistance in future plans.
Anthony said written public comment on the annual plan would be accepted through May 10 at 4:30 p.m., and the county expects to submit the plan and required certifications to HUD by May 15. The board closed the public hearing by motion and voted to adjourn briefly before returning to consent business.
No final local appropriations or project awards were recorded during the hearing; the session functioned to receive public comment and present the draft action plan for the program year.
