HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME – ARP)

The HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME – ARP) program provides 23.6 million in federal funding to strengthen rural Community Action partnerships across Washington’s non-entitlement areas. Through a partnership-centered approach, HOME – ARP supports organizations serving people experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, and other vulnerable populations. Commerce partners with 14 rural Community Action programs, recognizing that these organizations know their communities best. Our role is to help make federal requirements work for rural realities.

A philosophy of partnership

You know your communities best, we help make federal requirements work for rural realities.

This program is built on the expertise of rural Community Action partnerships and their deep understanding of local needs. Commerce serves as a federal compliance facilitator, providing support and partnership rather than enforcement and auditing.

About the program

Timeline

• August 2025: Non-competitive application process opens with weekly support sessions.
• September 2025: Contract development and execution.
• October 2025: Phase 1 planning period begins for all 14 organizations.
• March 2026: Phase 1 completion and transition planning.
• April 2026: Phase 2 supportive services implementation begins.
• September 30, 2030: Federal deadline for all HOME-ARP fund expenditure.

Program Structure

HOME – ARP operates in two phases designed to build organizational capacity before launching direct service delivery:

• Phase 1 – Capacity building and operating support (October 2025 – March 2026): This is a six-month planning period that allows rural Community Action partnerships to strengthen organizational infrastructure, develop required policies and procedures, and prepare for effective supportive services delivery.
• Phase 2 – Supportive services implementation (April 2026 – September 2030): Direct supportive service delivery to individuals and families with HOME-ARP qualifying populations.

Funding distribution

• 75% Supportive Services – $17.7 million for direct services to qualifying populations
• 5% Capacity Building – $1.18 million to strengthen organizational infrastructure
• 5% Operating Support – $1.18 million for general operating costs during planning period
• 15% Administration – $3.54 million for program management, monitoring, and technical assistance

Service areas

HOME – ARP serves Washington’s non-entitled areas, covering 25 counties plus portions of Benton, Cowlitz, Franklin, and Whatcom counties. These rural areas face unique challenges, including geographic isolation, limited transportation, and smaller service provider capacity.

Qualifying populations

Home – ARP serves four specific qualifying populations as defined by federal regulations:

• Individuals and families experiencing homelessness: Those lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including persons staying in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or places not meant for human habitation.
• Individuals and families at risk of homelessness: Those who will imminently lose their primary nighttime residence within 14 days and have no identified subsequent residence or resources to obtain permanent housing.
• Persons fleeing domestic violence: Individuals and families fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking.
• Other vulnerable populations: Individuals and families at greatest risk of housing instability due to chronic health conditions, disability, advanced age, or other circumstances that create housing vulnerability.

How organizations apply

HOME-ARP uses a formula-based allocation rather than a competitive application process. The 14 participating rural Community Action partnerships were predetermined based on their geographic service areas and organizational capacity.

• Phase 1 – applications (August 2025):
  • Organizations apply for capacity building and operating support funding.
• Phase 2 – applications (February 2026):
  • Organizations that successfully complete Phase 1 apply for supportive services implementation funding.

Key program priorities

Our partnership approach

• Build sustainable capacity: Strengthen organizations to serve rural communities beyond HOME-ARP funding.
• Create peer learning network: Foster collaboration among 14 rural Community Action partnerships.
• Develop support tools: Provide user-friendly compliance and reporting resources.
• Rural-appropriate solutions: Adapt federal requirements to work for rural realities.
• Long-term partnerships: Build relationships extending beyond the funding cycle.

Resources

This section provides a listing of resources available now and that will be available in the future.