Federal funding freeze: Clark County governments, schools, nonprofits looking for answers

Clark County governments, schools and nonprofits are scrambling for information about how a White House order to freeze all federal grants and loans will impact Clark County projects and programs — including the Interstate 5 Bridge replacement.

Council for the Homeless spokeswoman Nneka Coxeff said the freeze will have devastating effects on the county’s homelessness services, many of which receive federal funds.

“Without this essential funding, organizations like the Council for the Homeless and other local agencies will be forced to cut services, which will impede progress made toward addressing homelessness both at the individual and community levels,” Coxeff said.

Late Tuesday, a federal district judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s freeze on federal grants and loans just before it was set to go into effect. The judge’s order goes through Monday.

“The scope of this illegal action is unprecedented and could have devastating consequences across the country for real people,” U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said in a statement Tuesday.

Murray said at a news conference that her office has been inundated with panicked calls.

“We could see a screeching halt to resources for child care, housing, police officers, opioid addiction treatment, rebuilding roads and bridges, and even disaster relief efforts,” Murray said in the statement.

The federal Office of Management and Budget sent out a memo Monday night to federal agencies announcing a freeze on nearly all federal grants and loans that would go into effect at 2 p.m. PST Tuesday.

Clark County’s schools, governments and many nonprofits rely on federal grants to fund everything from safer streets to boosting the housing supply.

Spokespeople from many of those agencies say they’re waiting to hear more and don’t yet understand what grants and programs may be affected.

Federal funds make up a significant portion of state and local budgets, but the freeze wouldn’t stop all federally funded projects. For example, projects funded by last year’s Community Development Block Grant might not be affected if they have already received the money.

However, upcoming federal funding for certain projects may be jeopardized. And agencies that rely on reimbursements may see delays in repayment, potentially delaying projects.

The city of Vancouver and Clark County staff are reviewing grants to see which ones may be affected by the freeze, according to their spokespeople.

“Clark County shares our concerns with this mandate and the potential impact on the community,” said Joni McAnally, Clark County spokeswoman.

School districts across Clark County said they are waiting for more information from the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to see how schools might be impacted.

OSPI spokeswoman Katy Payne said the agency learned the pause will not impact Title I funds aimed at helping low-income students; Individuals with Disabilities Education Act funds supporting special education programs; or other formula grants.

However, the U.S. Department of Education has not sent official guidance to the states, she said.

“There are no reserves within the Legislature or within OSPI to cover any gaps in federal funds,” Payne said.

The effect on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, which was awarded a nearly $1.5 billion federal grant in August, is unclear. The project is waiting on clarification from state and federal partners about the freeze’s impact, a spokesman said.

In a document shared with Senate Appropriations Committee Democrats, Murray said all federally funded transportation projects across the country will be halted, including projects already under construction.

“Americans should ask themselves, is it woke to fund cancer research or to rebuild an unsafe bridge?” Murray said.

Columbian reporters Brianna Murschel and Henry Brannan contributed to this story.