Housing council selects Catholic Community Services to administer eviction prevention funds 

The Thurston Regional Housing Council selected Catholic Community Services (CCS) to manage the Eviction Prevention Rental Assistance (EPRA) program for single adults, including seniors and veterans.  

The decision came after the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners raised concerns about awarding a new contract to the Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason & Thurston (CACLMT), due to unresolved issues related to a previous agreement.  

According to County Manager Leonard Hernandez, staff is still working with CACLMT to recover county funds. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has demanded Thurston County return $667,990 in federal rent-assistance funds lost to fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic. The department ordered the county to repay the amount. 

On April 9, the RHC initially approved a recommendation from the Homeless Services Advisory Board (HSAB) to award the EPRA contract to CACLMT.

However, the board declined to move forward and directed staff to return the item to the RHC for reconsideration.  

The HSAB subsequently held emergency meetings and voted to recommend CCS as the alternate provider. The recommendation was presented to the RHC at its meeting on Wednesday, May 28.  

Casper Cramblette, a member of HSAB, noted CCS was chosen for its capacity to manage large, reimbursement-based contracts and for its experience providing rental assistance to vulnerable populations.  

Jackie Velasco, a supporting staffer for RHC, noted the funding for EPRA had increased significantly following final state budget adjustments.

Originally projected at $328,000, the allocation now stands at $763,557 — sourced through the Consolidated Homeless Grant. The funds are administered on a reimbursement basis, meaning the provider must have the financial capacity to front rental payments before being reimbursed. 

The RHC unanimously approved the recommendation, confirming CCS to administer EPRA funds targeted to single adults experiencing homelessness, with a priority on seniors and veterans.