As Washingtonians Struggle to Make Rent During COVID-19 Pandemic, Senator Murray Announces Major Housing Funding for Washington State

The more than $90 million in CARES Act relief funding will go to cities and counties across the state for emergency rental assistance and services for people and families facing homelessness 

“‘A tsunami of people in need’: Rental crisis could hit Spokane when eviction moratorium ends” – MORE HERE from the Spokesman-Review

Senator Murray: “As more and more Washingtonians are struggling to make ends meet, I’m going to keep fighting to get them the federal support they need to keep a roof over their head”

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced the second round of housing awards for Washington state from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The awards, which total $98,250,127 for the state government and cities and counties across Washington state, will be distributed through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This funding will allow local governments flexibility to address the needs of people and families who are experiencing or facing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic, given that people experiencing homelessness are at increased risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission and often lack a safe place to self-isolate.

“The on-going pandemic has only exacerbated the housing crisis in Washington state, so I’m glad to see the federal government acknowledging the pressing need in our state to help those facing homelessness, who are especially vulnerable to this virus,” Senator Murray said. “As more and more Washingtonians are struggling to make ends meet, I’m going to keep fighting to get them the federal support they need to keep a roof over their head during this uncertain time.”

This funding was awarded through the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program, which aids in rapid re-housing and homelessness prevention efforts including short term rental assistance, construction and management of specialized shelters, and staffing support—interventions which all help manage COVID-19 within and outside of homeless shelters. The funding is part of $2.96 billion distributed nationally based on a formula targeted toward communities with a high number of people experiencing homelessness, both sheltered and unsheltered, and those at the most risk for homelessness. The formula also takes into account economic and housing market conditions.

Senator Murray fought to include increased funding for federal housing programs in the CARES Act, and has made clear that she will continue fighting for more funding to address the dire housing needs of so many people in Washington state and across the country, exacerbated by the current pandemic. This funding follows the first round of CARES Act housing funding, which was announced in early April.

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

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