Primary Contact Email: smildner@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
TITLE
Request approval for the County Executive to submit up to three (3) applications and enter into grant agreements with the Washington State Department of Commerce for 2022 CDBG grant funding to support local projects that will benefit low-to-moderate income families in Whatcom County
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SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held by the Whatcom County Council on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. (AB2022-266). The purpose of the public hearing is to review community development and housing needs, inform citizens of the availability of funds and eligible uses of the state Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and receive comments on proposed activities as well as past activities related to the CDBG housing rehabilitation grant and CDBG public services grant, particularly from lower income person residing in Whatcom County. Currently $130,000 is proposed to be available to Whatcom, Skagit and Island Counties, through the Opportunity Council, to fund public services that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons. Additionally, up to $1,000,000 may be available to Whatcom County on a statewide competitive basis to fund public facility, community facility, economic development, planning and affordable housing projects that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons. Two General Purpose grants are proposed: one for $500,000 to fund the Opportunity Council’s housing rehabilitation program, and the other is for $280,000 proposed to assist in funding property acquisition for Sean Humphrey House to operate a second supportive home, Karen Durham House, for the benefit of very low-income citizens living with HIV. Draft grant applications will be available for review at the Whatcom County Executive office by May 17, 2022 (email request and/or comments to: executive@co.whatcom.wa.us). The Council is currently holding hybrid meetings, which can be attended either in person or remotely. Meetings begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise announced. The public may participate online or attend in person in the Council Chambers at 311 Grand Avenue. Instructions for remote participation can be found at www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil <http://www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil> or by contacting the Council office at 360-778-5010. The Council Chambers is handicapped accessible. People with special needs who will be attending Council meetings are asked to contact the Council Office at least 96 hours in advance