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Home My WebLink About022525 - Homelessness Assistance Unit Winter 2025 NewsletterALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them. Read about the current state of affairs, CoC award announcement, PIT count, Having trouble viewing this email? View it online <https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcontent.govdelivery.com%2Faccounts%2FWADOC%2Fbulletins%2F3d3ef8b/1/010101953dc9f69a-30e49b85-1fd8-4 755-b797-937f8a977de1-000000/yrELe4JUKx2nXcD4rWey7YjquSp3_Sy_pMJLqOEPrnc=393> <https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WADOC/2019/12/3043097/logo-rgb-285x126_original.png> Homelessness Assistance Unit Newsletter <https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WADOC/2025/02/11094135/6018462/hau-newsletter-banner_crop.png> NEWSLETTER | Winter 2025 Featured in this issue: * Acknowledging the current state of affairs * Continuum of Care award announcement * Point in Time Count activities * Consolidated Homeless Grant Application * Grantees make transparency reporting a reality for Washington state * Legislative Updates: Making homeless services more efficient and flexible * Commerce news ________________________________ Acknowledging the current state of affairs Over the past several weeks, we’ve witnessed the impact of changes at the federal level. Uncertainty hangs over various federal funding programs as President Trump and his administration order significant changes to the federal government. For example, some agencies are eliminating positions and programs, including those related to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Many federal employees have been notified about planned reductions in force and have received separation offers. If they go forward, these changes could bring significant reductions in federal capacity and programming. Various memos have directed agencies to cease grant-making and distribution of funds. This extends to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, a key partner and a large funder of the homeless crisis response in Washington state. Technical assistance providers received work stoppage orders, some of which were later rescinded, and Continuum of Care grantees have experienced inconsistent access to their federal awards. Washington’s elected leaders have spoken forcefully about these disruptions. They’ve called on the administration to work with states to maintain funding agreements and obligations. Gov. Ferguson addressed many of these issues in a press conference on Feb. 13 <https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Ftvw.org%2Fvideo%2Fgovernor-bob-ferguson-press-conference-2025021318%2F/ 1/010101953dc9f69a-30e49b85-1fd8-4755-b797-937f8a977de1-000000/jtA9vGK3W1bIMev1E86tYbbs0sIjvmweuB6zUi0yk08=393> , attended by Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn. Washington has also joined other states on a number of lawsuits to enjoin and reverse actions taken by the federal government that would broadly harm our communities and deprive our statewide homelessness response of vital resources. Here in the Homelessness Assistance Unit at Commerce, we remain focused on the vision of the recently adopted 2024-29 State Homeless Housing Strategic Plan: <https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https :%2F%2Fdeptofcommerce.app.box.com%2Fs%2F536sb7h3j411iowefzvhfojqf3856h3v/1/010101953dc9f69a-30e49b85-1fd8-4755-b797-937f8a977de1-000000/av5LBNdcypHbN_vZmebM5QcvkLZi-a91zJr8W65FLU0=393> "Everyone experiencing homelessness and housing instability has swift and equitable access to stable housing that meets their needs." <https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WADOC/2025/02/11101598/puzzle-piece-clip-art_original.jpg> In order to reach everyone, we will continue to address disparities in access to services and outcomes across race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, and other characteristics. We will work closely with our key partners: people with lived experience, service providers, local governments, other state agencies, housing providers, the private sector, and, to the greatest extent possible, the federal government. We resolve to strengthen a collaborative, transparent, effective, and trauma-informed response system that centers on racial equity. We stand side by side with you during this challenging time. ________________________________ Continuum of Care award announcement On January 17th, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released the first of two award announcements for the federal fiscal year 2024 Continuum of Care (CoC) program. The Washington Balance of State Continuum of Care (BoS CoC) was awarded over $22 million that will renew funding for all currently operating CoC housing projects and create at least two new projects. This funding helps address homelessness in the 34 small and medium-sized counties around the state through rental assistance, housing services, data infrastructure, and other interventions. Included in the $22 million is funding specifically for youth and young adult homelessness and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. For the first time, HUD is introducing a two-year application cycle for CoC funds. This will greatly lower the administrative burden for communities to apply for renewed federal homelessness funds. Existing recipients will be reviewed automatically for renewal for fiscal year 2025 without having to submit new applications. That said, this is a new process with the possibility for change, so the BoS CoC team will be in constant communication with CoC recipients, and the Balance of State communities as new information is provided by HUD. ________________________________ <https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WADOC/2025/02/11101669/clipboard-clip-art_original.jpg> Point-in-Time Count activities The annual Point-In-Time (PIT) Count was conducted across the state on January 30, 2025. As we shift into the second phase of the PIT, counties are focused on completing data entry and reconciliation. All PIT data is due into HMIS by Friday, February 28. Commerce staff are supporting reconciliation efforts and assisting with preparing the dataset to be submitted to U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD). We anticipate having statewide results available by May or June. ________________________________ Consolidated Homeless Grant application: Part 1 deadline this Friday! Commerce is proud to announce the release of the Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG) application for the contract period July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027. Current CHG local government and nonprofit lead grantees received the application on February 10. This funding cycle, the application will be issued in two parts. Part 1 is due to Commerce contract managers by this Friday, March 28, 2025, and collects applicant information. Once the current legislative session adjourns and we know our final CHG budget, we will release Part 2. The second part of the application will provide an award and budget worksheet, as well as collect subgrantee information. We’re looking forward to once again supporting our grantees in funding low-barrier homeless housing systems to decrease homelessness and increase housing stability across the state. ________________________________ Grantees make transparency in reporting a reality for Washington state Thanks to the contributions of our Consolidated Homeless Grant recipients, the Annual Expenditure Report (formerly know as the "Golden”) for state fiscal year 2024 is now published online. The Annual Expenditure Report is one-of-a-kind - we believe that no other state in the nation reports this level of transparency about homeless housing services funding and utilization. Congratulations to all of our grantees for making this a reality. We appreciate all your hard work in collecting and reporting the expenditures for your service areas. Find Annual Expenditure Reports on our website <https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fdeptofcommerce.app.box.com%2Fs%2Fv9pliuty6kcb36uwjd9ihb2q2rmik0oz/1/010101953dc9f69a-30e49b85-1fd8-4755 -b797-937f8a977de1-000000/bScm7OnVh4E0ZpE_6m2pUcLq1KIGIhlGX67w82Wjdco=393> . (Box PDFs) <https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WADOC/2025/02/11101710/graph-clipart_original.jpg> Why this is important. This report contains county-level data required for the annual Homelessness In Washington report <https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fgcc02.safelinks.protection.out look.com%2F%3Furl=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.commerce.wa.gov%252Fhomelessness-response%252Fplanning-and-reporting%252Fstrategic-plan%252F%26data=05%257C02%257CKathy.Kinard%2540commerce.wa.gov%257Ca07b1c 18fa324b541c1408dd45ed6caf%257C11d0e217264e400a8ba057dcc127d72d%257C0%257C0%257C638743608225083508%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFp bCIsIldUIjoyfQ%253D%253D%257C0%257C%257C%257C%26sdata=1L251IpR2rA4CFRNPSqJI%252Br5hVPYuYvLtKBiJlpmx%252FQ%253D%26reserved=0/1/010101953dc9f69a-30e49b85-1fd8-4755-b797-937f8a977de1-000000/yy8Vm6B1nGPK -xb823NbK3eAeaQpqLNfepdqgl9x-Rc=393> submitted to the Washington State Legislature. Additionally, it’s used to meet the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Maintenance of Effort (TANF-MOE) requirement. Collecting the required MOE amount ensures Washington families continue to receive the maximum federal TANF funds. Any MOE we accumulate over the required amount, such as the funds that Commerce partners provide, gives our state credits toward the Work Participation Rate. What can it tell us? The Report is an extremely detailed spreadsheet with 180 columns. Some of the information you includes: * project beds * expenditures by funding source * project entries and exits * exits to permanent housing * and more. In addition, there are breakdowns of these numbers by household type or by race and gender. You can filter the responses by county, agency name, or project type to tailor your results based on the questions you have (or if you really love data, insert a Pivot Table). You can use this information to respond to requests for proposals, reports to funding sources, estimate how much money you’ll need to serve clients, examine racial or gender disparities, and more. If you have any questions about the Annual Expenditure Report, please submit an HMIS Helpdesk Form <https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fgcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com%2F%3Furl=htt ps%253A%252F%252Fapp.smartsheet.com%252Fb%252Fform%252F63635c1149e84439ba6f867598739129%26data=05%257C02%257CKathy.Kinard%2540commerce.wa.gov%257Ca07b1c18fa324b541c1408dd45ed6caf%257C11d0e217264e400a 8ba057dcc127d72d%257C0%257C0%257C638743608225095168%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%253D%253D%257C0%257C%257C%257C%2 6sdata=XnNbzsXbqni3xI2ec%252BfwYdwhZTDtpJW%252Ft83hDFjlVp4%253D%26reserved=0/1/010101953dc9f69a-30e49b85-1fd8-4755-b797-937f8a977de1-000000/Rds3Chyds-RADqYcHnNu-uLTUzihqvMkv0WIjaA7dos=393> . ________________________________ Legislative updates Making homeless services more efficient and flexible Two legislative proposals aim to improve efficiency and flexibility in homeless services thanks to feedback from Consolidated Homeless Grant providers and Balance of State members. Adjusting the Point in Time (PIT) Count – House Bill 1899 This bill would bring Washington in line with federal guidelines by requiring an in-person count of unsheltered individuals every other year instead of annually. The sheltered count would still happen every year using administrative data. Washington has been going above and beyond federal requirements, but we now have better data through the Snapshot of Homeless Report <https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fdeptofcommerce.app.box.com%2Fs%2Fxonalo6msygtcjt0hr7ci7qjg8lug7rc/1/010101953dc9f69a- 30e49b85-1fd8-4755-b797-937f8a977de1-000000/LM-iQ8P-G8LYog3LyZRJTbhUntkF0_E8rPZk3Ba-xCc=393> , which combines Medicaid, Department of Social and Health Services, and Commerce data every six months. Expanding Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) Program – Substitute House Bill 1263 & Substitute Senate Bill 5232 These bills would provide more stability for HEN clients who transition to federal Social Security benefits but still need housing assistance. The bills would also allow Commerce to adjust administrative rates for service providers to match the Consolidated Homeless Grant, helping streamline program operations. ________________________________ Commerce news Welcome Director Joe Nguyễn! <https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WADOC/2025/01/10864405/5941823/joenguyen-headshot_crop.jpg> As you probably know, Governor Ferguson appointed former State Senator Joe Nguyễn <https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.commerce.wa.gov%2Fformer-state-senator-joe-nguyen-hits-the-groun d-running-at-commerce-department%2F/1/010101953dc9f69a-30e49b85-1fd8-4755-b797-937f8a977de1-000000/sZLOJYcK0G-y6wYubjMzrDhRqufsH8F7M_GHNhOz6Qc=393> to serve as Commerce Director in December. Director Nguyễn previously represented Washington’s 34th Legislative District in the State Senate, where he earned a reputation as a steadfast advocate for equity, economic justice, and community empowerment. As the son of Vietnamese refugees, Director Nguyễn's life experiences have fueled his commitment to creating opportunities for underserved communities and breaking down systemic barriers. His work reflects his belief that the government should be a force for good, delivering tangible outcomes that improve lives and build stronger communities. We are working hard with the director and his new executive team, and highlighting the important work our grantees and stakeholders are doing to address homelessness and housing insecurity around the state. We are sharing data, reports and performance outcomes, as well as the new 2024-2029 Homeless Housing Strategic Plan. We hope to introduce you to Director Nguyễn later this year at the grantee convening. Stay connected! 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