Whatcom County published a request for proposals this week inviting local organizations to apply for funding to support housing and services for people who are unhoused or at risk of losing their housing. The county estimates it will have approximately $14 million in annual housing program funding available for the 2027 contract cycle, though officials noted the amounts are lower than recent years due to budget constraints.
The RFP is a central component of the county's new 2026-2030 Five-Year Homeless Housing Plan, a framework the county developed to guide how it invests in housing stability services over the next half-decade. The funding comes from a mix of state grants and local sources, and the county emphasizes that it does not directly provide housing services itself but instead contracts with expert organizations to do the work.
Bellingham and Whatcom County have grappled with homelessness and housing instability for years, a challenge intensified by a regional housing shortage and rising rents that have pushed more residents to the edge. The county's approach of funding community organizations rather than running programs directly reflects a model used across Washington State, where specialized nonprofits and service providers are better positioned to deliver shelter, case management, and rapid rehousing support.
The reduction in available funds from previous cycles is notable. Whatcom County, like many local governments in Washington, is navigating tighter budgets following reductions in federal and state housing allocations. Organizations that have relied on county contracts will need to plan for potentially smaller grants or adjust the scope of their proposals accordingly.
Eligible applicants include local government agencies and nonprofit organizations operating within Whatcom County. The county's Health Department oversees the homelessness housing portfolio and manages the contracting process. The City of Bellingham also maintains its own housing funding opportunities for organizations seeking support from the city rather than the county.
Interested organizations should review the full RFP documents and submission requirements on the Whatcom County news flash page. Proposal deadlines, evaluation criteria, and contract terms are detailed in the posted documents.
The county will announce selected partners later this year, with contracts expected to take effect in January 2027. For residents experiencing housing instability now, Whatcom County's current service resources remain available through existing contracted providers.
