Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Aug. 15, 2019

Please forward to your sub grantees and contact your OFAH grant manager if you have any questions.

Commerce responds to U.S. HUD on proposed rule prohibiting non-citizens from receiving HUD assistance

The comment period for proposed rule: Housing and Community Development Act of 1980; Verification of Eligible Status ended on July 9 with over 30,000 submissions. The proposed rule would require people in some housing programs to provide proof of eligible immigration status. Households receiving assistance would not be able to have any family member with ineligible immigration status on their lease. Until now, HUD served these families by pro-rating the household assistance based on eligible members, ensuring ineligible members did not receive any assistance.

In her July 8 formal letter to HUD Secretary Ben Carson, Commerce Director Lisa Brown points out that approximately 750 families in Washington state will face severe repercussions if this rule is finalized. Under the proposed rule, these families would be forced to separate or lose their housing. Director Brown summarizes her letter with a strong statement on behalf of Commerce by stating, “I urge that [the proposed rule] be withdrawn.” You can find the full letter by clicking here.

If you are interested in learning more about the proposed rule and its potential impact on communities, navigate to the HUD Regulations webpage to read the official bill summary, view comments, and sign up for email alerts.

New statewide funding opportunities through Washington Youth and Families Fund

Building Changes announced that it is accepting applications from social service providers, local tribes and/or community centers in Washington State outside of King, Pierce and Snohomish counties to support families and youth and young adults. It is making available approximately $3 million for the following: Up to $1,520,000 to be used for up to three years to test innovative strategies identified by the community that can complement, strengthen, and adapt Rapid Re-Housing to better serve high-barrier families by providing flexible assistance and culturally enhanced services. Up to $1,520,000 to be used for up to three years to test Critical Transition Coaching as an innovative strategy that ensures no youth or young adult is discharged from a public facility into homelessness. Culturally specific organizations or smaller organizations led and staffed by persons of color that primarily serve communities of color are encouraged to apply. Those interested in implementing the models outlined in our request for proposals are encouraged to apply, even if not currently delivering homeless and housing services. If selected as a grantee, Building Changes will provide training and technical assistance. Interested parties can learn more about this funding opportunity, access the Request for Proposal (RFP) guidelines and application materials, or register for the upcoming RFP Q&A sessions by clicking here. Please contact Klarissa Monteros, senior manager, Grantmaking and Technical Assistance, 206.805.6135 with any questions.

Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) Case Management

Myth: RRH does not need to include case management.

FACT: RRH is an intervention that helps people experiencing homelessness quickly identify and secure housing and maintain housing stability. The three core components include:

• Housing identification services: Recruit landlords to provide housing for RRH participants and assist households with securing housing.
• Financial assistance: Provide assistance to cover move-in costs and deposits, as well as ongoing rent and/or utility payments.
• Case management and services: Provide services and connections to community resources that help households maintain housing stability.

Case management is a crucial part of making sure that individuals not only become housed, but maintain their housing stability once their rental subsidy ends.

Equity Corner

The Demographic Data Project released a new analysis from the Point-in-Time Count, identifying gender minorities experiencing homelessness. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, both transgender and gender non-binary adults are more likely to be unsheltered than cisgender adults. The analysis reveals a huge disparity in the number of gender minorities living unsheltered versus sheltered. The information is not new, but the project does offer specific recommendations and tools to help programs respond better to this important issue. The full report with recommendations can be found here.

Balance of State Continuum of Care Corner

All grantees, partners and interested parties in the 34 counties of the Washington Balance of State Continuum of Care (all counties except King, Pierce, Snohomish, Clark and Spokane) are invited to submit an application for new projects through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Continuum of Care Program. New project funding is available through the Domestic Violence (DV) Bonus and Standard Bonus opportunities in the 2019 HUD Continuum of Care Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). Eligible project types include rapid re-housing, joint transitional housing to rapid re-housing and permanent supportive housing. Applicants not currently administering Continuum of Care Program grants are encouraged to apply, and applicants from counties without current Continuum of Care Program grants are given priority in the competition. Please visit the BoS CoC website or contact Matt Mazur-Hart for more information.

Upcoming Training Opportunities

Stay tuned for an online calendar of upcoming training opportunities, events, and important deadlines. If you have a training you would like reviewed for the newsletter, please send details to danielle.rylander@commerce.wa.gov.

HMIS Trainings

HMIS trainings will be offered in various locations throughout Washington this summer.  Check out the training calendar here to see if there will be a training located near you!

Now scheduling for September 2019 - June 2020…

Trauma-Informed Care in western Washington and Mental Health First Aid in central and eastern Washington.

Scheduling Soon…

Equity and diversity and LGBTQ competency trainings.

If you know of an upcoming training or conference you would like to showcase in our newsletter, please send details to danielle.rylander@commerce.wa.gov for review.

Contact us

Please forward to your sub grantees and contact your OFAH grant manager if you have any questions. Kathryn Dodge kathryn.dodge@commerce.wa.gov Sarah Harrison sarah.harrison@commerce.wa.gov Megan Kendig megan.kendig@commerce.wa.gov Julie Montgomery julie.montgomery@commerce.wa.gov Jessica Simon jessica.simon@commerce.wa.gov