Primary Contact Email: smildner@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
TITLE
Resolution regarding support for a Community Development Block Grant funding application and review of current CDBG funding opportunities
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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 in the Council Chambers, Whatcom County Courthouse, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. 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, particularly from lower income persons residing in Whatcom County. $131,227 is proposed to be available annually to Whatcom, Skagit and Island Counties, through the Opportunity Council, to fund public services that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons. Comments on the county’s and Opportunity Council’s past performance and use of their 2019 CDBG Public Services Grant will also be received. A Resolution will be reviewed, which would authorize the County Executive to submit an application to the State of Washington for this funding. The draft grant application, including an overview of the proposed public services, will be available for review at the Whatcom County Executive’s office, Suite 108, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, after April 9, 2020. Comments may also be submitted in writing to the Whatcom County Council until the public hearing has been closed. In addition to the public services grant, the County Council will review other CDBG funding opportunities, including the Economic Opportunities Grant Program, which proposes up to $500,000 of available funding in 2020.