### Meeting Overview The Community Development Advisory Board (CDAB) met November 14, 2024 to review housing services and approve grant application processes. The main focus was hearing presentations from two housing service providers and finalizing Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) applications that will allocate $2.1 million in housing and human services funding. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Community Development Advisory Board (CDAB):** A city board that advises the mayor and council on housing and community development funding decisions, including reviewing grant applications from nonprofits. **Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA):** The city's competitive grant application process that allocates federal and local funding to nonprofits providing housing, human services, and community facilities. **Rapid Rehousing:** A short-term housing intervention that helps homeless families move into permanent housing and increase their income to maintain housing independently. **Coordinated Entry:** A standardized assessment and referral system that prioritizes the most vulnerable homeless households for available housing resources. **Area Median Income (AMI):** The midpoint of a region's income distribution, used to determine eligibility for affordable housing programs. Different percentages of AMI (like 50% or 80%) define income limits. **Campus Housing:** Housing units owned and managed directly by service organizations, giving them more control over tenant screening and services. **Permanent Supportive Housing:** Long-term affordable housing with wraparound services for people with disabilities or chronic health conditions who need ongoing support. **Housing Choice Voucher:** Also known as Section 8, a federal rental assistance program that helps low-income families afford housing in the private market. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Karin Jones | CDAB Chair | | Lindsay Brewer | Opportunity Council, Housing Programs Manager | | Louis Walbrek | Lydia Place, Housing Program Manager | | Meredith Stamey | Lydia Place, Development Manager | | Samya Lutz | City of Bellingham, Housing & Services Program Manager | | Kathleen Morton | City of Bellingham, Development Specialist | | Andrew Calkins | Bellingham Whatcom County Housing Authority Executive Director | ### Background Context Both organizations presented critical components of the local homelessness response system. The Opportunity Council operates the county's coordinated entry system and serves families throughout Whatcom County, while Lydia Place focuses specifically on families with children in the city of Bellingham. Together, they served over 300 families in the past year, demonstrating the significant need for housing assistance. The NOFA process allocates approximately $2.1 million annually to housing and human services, representing a significant portion of the city's community development funding. The scoring criteria discussion reflects ongoing efforts to center equity and social justice in funding decisions. ### What Happened — The Short Version The Opportunity Council reported serving 133 families (429 individuals) with 98% exiting to permanent housing and 50% achieving full self-sufficiency. Lydia Place served 193 families (586 individuals) across multiple housing programs, with 70% of exits going to permanent housing with rental subsidies. The board approved the NOFA applications as written after brief discussion about equity scoring criteria. Staff also received approval to reduce the minimum required meetings from nine to four annually while maintaining flexibility to hold more as needed. ### What to Watch Next • NOFAs will be released November 19, 2024, with applications due January 16, 2025 • The city's CAPER (annual HUD report) goes to City Council November 18 • The Housing Levy Administrative & Financial Plan will be considered by City Council December 9 • CDAB will review and score applications in March-April 2025 ---