Economic Opportunities
Serving communities by providing economic opportunities. Building assets and achieving prosperity is more challenging for some than others. Obstacles to self-sufficiency come in many different forms, but one thing is universally true: when we pull together to help those most in need, our communities are stronger, and that provides greater economic opportunity for all.
Programs
Community Services Block Grants
Empowering low-income families to become fully self-sufficient through a network of public and nonprofit agencies.
Read more about Community Service Block Grants.
Asset Building
More than a quarter of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck without savings or investments in equity, such as a home or small business. Evidence shows that with training and incentives, even the lowest-income Americans can break this cycle and begin saving and planning for a better future.
Read more about Asset Building.
Workfirst
WorkFirst is Washington's welfare reform program designed to help Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) participants get what they need to prepare for and go to work.
Read more about Workfirst.
Foreclosure Fairness
The Foreclosure Fairness Program offers free housing counseling, civil legal aid, and foreclosure mediation to homeowners.
Read more about Foreclosure Fairness.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance
Providing funds from a federal block grant program to help low-income Washington state households maintain affordable, dependable utility services and avoid shutoff during the winter.
Read more about Low-Income Home Energy Assistance.
Key Topics
Resources
“I work hard but it’s hard to make ends meet for me and my three kids. I heard about the Earned Income Tax Credit and got free help filling out my tax return. As a result, I received a refund of almost $5,000 this year! That has allowed me to catch up on my bills and put some money away to start savings account.”