Olympia program proposes to reallocate federal funds for assisting in getting electricity to homes and public services funding for houseless adults

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Olympia's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program recommended reallocating $190,000 in unspent federal funds for a home rehabilitation activity and public support services for homeless community members.

At a city council meeting held Monday, February 13, CDBG Program Specialist Anastasia Everett recommended a substantial amendment to the Program Year 2022 (PY 22) annual action plan, proposing to allocate $150,000 of unspent PY 2017, PY 2019, PY 2020, and PY 2021 funds for electrifying 10 Homes First rental properties in Olympia.

"This amendment is considered a substantial amendment as new activities are being proposed to add to our annual action plan," Everett said.

A project year starts in September of the year and until the end of August the following year.

Everett told the councilmembers that reallocating funds to support the Homes First electrification is an eligible activity under energy efficiency improvements to housing rehabilitation.

"Homes First is leveraging the city's CDBG award and has applied for additional grants to electrify ten more of their housing rental housing units. Utilities are paid for at some properties by the tenants and at some by Homes First," Everett said.

Homes First provides affordable housing for tenants at or below 50% area median income (AMI).

CDBG-CV

As of January 30 this year, Everett said the city had expended 96% of its CDBG-Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) 1 and 3 it received directly from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), totaling $607,544.

Everett added that Olympia had secured additional CDBG-CV 2 funding from the Department of Commerce. “CV-2 monies have funded the Homeless Response Coordinator. Additional funding was also requested to support the Familiar Faces program expansion.”

She said the remaining $40,000 funding under this program is now proposed to fund Olympia Mutual Aid Partnership (OlyMAP) and SideWalk projects, both public service activities to support houseless community members.

In OlyMAP, Everett said the $20,000 funds would be used to provide case management, supplies, individual services, and site support. The project would support individuals living at New Hope’s tiny home village and Nickerson encampment.

For the SideWalk project, Everett explained that the $20,000 funds would support underserved homeless adults in Olympia. It would provide homeless advocacy, diversion assistance, ride home, and peer support.

The city council opened the public hearing for the draft amendment of the CDBG PY2022 action plan. No one participated in the public process.

The comment period for the draft amendment is still open until February 27. The process started on January 27.

Public comment can be submitted in the following ways:

  • Written comments: Olympia City Council, 601 4th Ave E, Olympia, WA 98501 ATTN: CDBG
  • Email: cdbg@ci.olympia.wa.us
  • Phone: 360-233-6197

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  • bonaro

    I will bet $20 that the Olympia City Council will take this seemingly generous proposal and pervert it into a way to run power service into homeless camps...any takers?

    Tuesday, February 14, 2023 Report this