Only eight states and D.C. were selected for the new program OLYMPIA, WA — Washington state was recently selected for technical assistance resources from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing and Services Partnership Accelerator (Accelerator) program. According to a press release from HHS, the Accelerator will help unlock resources to reduce homelessness by addressing health-related social needs, such…
Wheeler has nearly 20 years’ experience working with Tribes and underserved communities OLYMPIA, WA — Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Aaron Wheeler to serve as director of the Washington State Broadband Office within the Department of Commerce. Wheeler is an information technology professional with 18 years of experience working with the Suquamish Tribe’s government. “Rural internet access is a priority in Washington, and Aaron’s experience will help everyone get connected no…
The Washington State Department of Commerce is hosting three public listening sessions this month to help communities provide us with direct feedback on a new grant program intended to foster greater participation in local policy decision-making. We need input from local community-based organizations representing overburdened communities and vulnerable populations to design a pilot grant program that helps with community engagement. Please share this notice with community-based organizations in your network…
$7.5 million is available to prevent existing behavioral health facilities from closing their doors. The Behavioral Health Facilities (BHF) Closure Prevention Program is now accepting applications for capital projects to preserve behavioral health facilities through critical repairs or upgrades necessary to keep the facility in use. This funding will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. Funding requests cannot exceed $7.5 million. Eligible facilities Existing behavioral…
The second round of middle housing grants supports communities creating a greater variety of housing types to respond to housing needs at all income levels OLYMPIA, WA – The Department of Commerce today announced an additional $685,000 in grants for 14 jurisdictions to support the adoption of local comprehensive plan policies and zoning codes to allow more middle housing in residential neighborhoods. These awards follow the first funding round that provided…
Now accepting applications for Small-Sized Community-Based Reentry Program Support Grants. The Washington State Department of Commerce, Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention/Community Safety Unit (Commerce) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) soliciting applications from small-sized community-based nonprofit organizations and tribal governments. The purpose of this program is to support reentry services to currently or formally incarcerated people who are incarcerated or have exited juvenile or adult correctional facilities…
Applications are being accepted now for Community Reinvestment Project, Firearm Violence Reduction Grants. The Washington State Department of Commerce, Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention (OFSVP) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) soliciting applications from Tribal governments, Tribal-led community-based organizations and entities that meet the “by and for organization” definition available through the Community Reinvestment Plan’s By and For Registration: Organizations and Partners. The RFP is designed to support…
Emergency funds will repair water, sewer and bridge projects in Pierce, Klickitat and Pend Oreille counties. Pre-construction loans and grants will support planning for six critical water projects across Washington. OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Public Works Board (PWB) recently approved $5.1 million in critical infrastructure projects in eight communities. Awards include $2 million in emergency construction projects and approximately $3.1 million in pre-construction funding. The emergency construction projects will fund work…
Funding strategies to reduce community firearm violence Community firearm violence can be generally described as deliberate acts of interpersonal violence in public spaces by a person or persons not intimately related to the victim. This type of firearm violence occurs in a small number of neighborhoods among a small number of individuals. In Washington and elsewhere, community gun violence has a dramatically disproportionate impact on young boys and men in…
Commerce will open Phase Two of Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) grants on February 2, 2024. Approximately $3.9 million in funding, from the 2021-2023 Biennium is available for entities to engage in strategic research and development of new and emerging clean energy technologies that will help achieve climate goals. If the demand exceeds available funds from the 21-23 budget, Commerce may award funding from the 2023-2025 biennium (up to an additional $11.6…