Senator Murray, Local Leaders Applaud Federal Housing Investments in Northwest and Eastern Washington State

Bellingham, Spokane County, Vancouver, and Walla Walla to receive a combined $9 million in Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program awards

These awards come from Community Development Block (CDBG) Grants and the HOME program, which Senator Murray fought to protect funding for in 2015

Senator Murray: Federal grants a “helping hand” for people across WA facing housing insecurity

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined local leaders in celebrating the announcement of more than $9 million dollars in housing awards for Spokane County and the cities of Bellingham, Vancouver and Walla Walla. The funding comes from two Department of Housing and Urban Development grant programs—the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the HOME program—which fund the acquisition and construction of secure, affordable housing for people and families in need. The awards include more than $1.3 million for the city of Bellingham, more than $2.2 million for Spokane County, nearly $1.9 million for the city of Vancouver, and nearly $400,000 for the city of Walla Walla.

“Programs like CDBG and HOME provide more than federal grants—these investments are a vital helping hand for families facing housing insecurity in Washington state and across our country,” Senator Murray said, “That’s why time and again I’ve fought to save and strengthen these critical programs, to combat the growing crisis of homeless across our state and to help ensure quality housing for those that need it most. I’m excited to see what communities across our state are able to accomplish with this funding.”

See a full breakdown of federal awards going to Washington state below. 

As a senior member of the Senate subcommittee responsible for housing appropriations, Senator Murray has been instrumental in continuing the CDBG and HOME programs, fighting not only to save the HOME program from near elimination, but successfully working to increase its funding in a 2015 spending bill and protect that funding from attacks from the Trump Administration in spending bills over the past two years. The funding from these grant programs is distributed on a formula basis.

Local leaders joined Senator Murray in applauding these vital awards.

“This is great news for Spokane,” said Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart, “We have an affordable housing crisis and these Federal dollars will help us alleviate the housing issues that many people are experiencing right now. We’re grateful to our Federal legislators for all they do to help us locally.”

“This annual entitlement grant is essential for providing a wide range of services for our community, from supporting our local homeless shelter for kids to Meals On Wheels for seniors,” Bellingham Mayor Kelli Linville said, “These funds help our community leverage our Bellingham Housing Levy and other funding by up to twenty times, and it’s crucial in making our local projects viable. We are so happy to be receiving additional funding this year, and thanks to Sen. Murray for always being an advocate for our community.”

“We are so pleased to hear about this award,” said Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle, “CDBG and HOME funds are used throughout our community to make a lasting difference in the lives of some of our most vulnerable residents.”

For a full list of awardees, more info available HERE.

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