Housing and Essential Needs services effective at reducing homelessness

Newly released report reveals increased housing stability and less likelihood of incarceration OLYMPIA, WA – A Housing and Essential Needs report for the Washington State Department of Commerceshows recipients have greater housing stability and are less likely to be incarcerated compared to similar peers who do not receive Housing and Essential Needs services. The Housing and Essential Needs Program provides non-cash rent assistance and other support – such as personal hygiene and bus tokens –…

Washington’s Commerce Department awarded $5.6 million in HUD rent supports for 275 unit of permanent housing for low-income with disabilities

Part of HUD & HHS initiative to provide permanent, supportive housing to prevent homelessness or institutionalization of the low-income disabled SEATTLE – The Washington State Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) has been awarded $5,580,280 to provide project-based rental assistance to up to 275 units for extremely low income people with disabilities as part of a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services effort…

Thousands entitled to Earned Income Tax Credit payment could miss out

Free tax help for low- to moderate-income taxpayers available by dialing 2-1-1 or go to Get Free Tax help http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/ for the nearest location OLYMPIA, WA – The state is urging you to apply for your share of millions in Earned Income Tax Credit(EITC) money available to eligible families and individuals from the Internal Revenue Service. Today is “Earned Income Tax Credit Day,” helping raise awareness of this federal program. The program goes…

Third annual broadband report shows high-speed internet access improving all over the state

Washington is now 10th in the nation for access at 3 Mbps and third in broadband adoption OLYMPA, WA – The work of public and private broadband providers is paying off in Washington according to the 2012 Annual Broadband Report released today by the Washington State Broadband Office.  During the last year, more than 500 of the state’s 629 Census-designated communities saw increased access to broadband through wireline and/or wireless providers. “These statistics…

State Board approves funding for City of Tekoa

OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today announced approval of a $40,000 grant to the City of Tekoa to support a feasibility study for a truck bypass. If built, the bypass would remove truck traffic from Tekoa’s main street and business district improving public safety and business development opportunities. The study will examine the potential to improve public health and safety by reducing seasonal traffic…