Funding Sources
The funding designed to support homeless housing and support services is made up of a variety of local, state, and federal funds. To better understand the funding sources available for these efforts, please review the following:
Housing and Urban Development Continuum of Care Grant
The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program is designed to promote community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers; State and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to homeless individuals, families, and communities by homelessness; promote access to and effect utilization of mainstream programs by homeless individuals and families; and optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The City of Spokane is the collaborative applicant for the CoC grant for the Spokane region and conducts an annual competition in accordance with HUD regulation.
Homeless Housing, Operations, and Services Grant Program
In order to better coordinate the use of homeless service funds within our community the Homeless Housing, Operations, and Services Grant Program combines federal, state and local homeless and human services resources into a single grant opportunity. HHOS is designed to support an integrated system of housing assistance that can immediately address the need of a household or individual experiencing homeless and connect them with the resources needed to end that homeless episode. All funded projects support Spokane's Strategic Plan to End Homelessness through innovative practices that limit barriers to entry and focus on permanent housing options for clients. Please see below for more detail on the funding sources included in the HHOS grant program:
- Department of Commerce Consolidated Homeless Grant
The City's Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG) is designed to support an integrated system of housing assistance to prevent homelessness and quickly re-house households who are unsheltered. This grant provides resources to address the needs of people who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, as described in the City of Spokane's Homeless Plan. This grant provides funding for operations, facility support, rental assistance for all households and rental assistance for TANF families.
- Housing and Urban Development Emergency Solutions Grant
HUD's Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) provides funding to: (1) engage homeless individuals and families living on the street; (2) improve the number and quality of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families; (3) help operate these shelters; (4) provide essential services to shelter residents, (5) rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families, and (6) prevent families/ individuals from becoming homeless. The Emergency Solutions Grant program is awarded to the City of Spokane by HUD as a formula grants alongside CDBG and HOME.
- City of Spokane Homeless Housing Assistance Act
The Homeless Housing Assistance Act (HHAA) was created in Washington State by Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill (ESSHB) 2163 on August 1, 2005. The law created a document recording fee on certain documents to be utilized by local jurisdictions to reduce homelessness. Grant funds are administrated by the state and local governments. Eligible uses of the funds are broad as long as the program funded addresses homelessness through housing and/or services and aligns with the local homeless plan.
- City of Spokane Human Services Grant Program
The City of Spokane Human Services Grant (HSG) program is a local grant program funded through the City's general fund as determined by the City’s annual budgeting process. Priorities for HSG including reducing or preventing homelessness among the most vulnerable populations such as the disabled, veterans, youth and families; promoting and ensuring nutrition and food security; and improving access to and utilization of mental and physical care. All activities must benefit the poor and infirm and operate within the City of Spokane.
- Department of Commerce Housing and Essential Needs
The Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) Referral program provides access to essential needs items and potential housing assistance for low-income adults who are unable to work for at least 90 days due to a physical or mental incapacity and are ineligible for Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) cash assistance. Eligibility for a referral to the HEN program is determined by DSHS. Eligibility for HEN housing assistance is determined by the Department of Commerce through a network of homeless and homeless prevention service providers. HEN assistance may include: limited rent and utilities, personal health and hygiene items, cleaning supplies, transportation.
