Every year the City of Bellingham awards approximately $30,000.00 to nonprofit organizations that help provide emergency shelter to homeless families and individuals during the winter months (December 1 - March 31).
Although the funding derives from the General Fund, the Planning and Community Development Department administers the program and annually publishes a Notice of Funding Availability and Request for Proposal (RFP) in June or July. Then, in September the Community Development Advisory Board (CDAB) reviews each application and allocates the available funds on a competitive basis. Future funding is not guaranteed through previous awards, as all submittals are evaluated on an equal basis.
Organizations that provide both motel vouchers and case management services (assisting participants in finding more stable housing and connecting them with other needed services), are given highest consideration. Likewise, those proposals that target families will also receive priority for funding. Please note, the maximum length of stay is 30 days.
After review, the Community Development Advisory Board will discuss the proposals and announce the Winter 2011 Awards at the conclusion of their 9/08/11 meeting. All applicants will be notified in writing.
For more information about the Emergency Shelter Grant Program contact David Stalheim, Block Grant Programs Manager at 360-778-8300 or dbstalheim@cob.org.
