Council for the Homeless leaders say potential federal funding cuts will devastate Clark County housing and homeless services.
The proposed cuts would have a profound impact on low-income residents and remove more than $50 million from the local economy, according to a Friday news release from Council for the Homeless.
To illustrate the potential consequences, the Vancouver nonprofit reviewed services provided in Clark County during the 2023-24 fiscal year. This analysis included the number of people and households served, the services provided, and the overall dollar value of the support.
Key funding sources include the Community Development Block Grant, which is a federal pass-through program distributed by the city of Vancouver and Clark County through competitive grants. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development also provides competitive grants.
“It is important that taxpayers and policymakers are aware of how funds are allocated locally and the deep impact our community will experience if funding is eliminated,” said Sesany Fennie-Jones, CEO of Council for the Homeless.
One example of the federal investment in Clark County is the $48 million allocated for rent assistance, which supported 3,548 low-income households, according to Council for the Homeless’ analysis. This included both short-term assistance and ongoing Section 8 housing vouchers. For many households, these funds are the difference between staying housed and becoming homeless, according to the news release. The rent assistance also supports local landlords and property managers, contributing to the local economy.
According to an October report from Council for the Homeless, 8,752 Clark County residents from more than 4,400 households were homeless in 2023.
Cuts to other programs — such as early childhood education, Medicaid and emergency services — could lead to an uptick of homelessness for groups who rely on them.
“We also know that if other safety net services are cut, the people receiving those services will become even more vulnerable and more likely to fall into homelessness,” Fennie-Jones said.
Council for the Homeless is urging local residents to advocate with their elected officials to oppose the proposed cuts and protect housing and homelessness services in Clark County.
