📋 City Council Regular Meeting
Bellingham Community Development Advisory Board (CDAB)
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Meeting Summary
The Bellingham Community Development Advisory Board held its May meeting with several new members joining for the first time, creating the fullest table since before COVID-19. The meeting featured two substantial presentations: DVSAS's Safe Start program for domestic violence survivors and their children, and an extensive overview of the city's new HomeShare Bellingham pilot program launching this summer.
The HomeShare initiative represents a significant new approach to addressing Bellingham's housing shortage by connecting homeowners who have extra bedrooms with individuals seeking affordable housing. Developed through collaboration between the city and Aging Well Whatcom, the program utilizes a third-party platform called Nesterly and has been allocated up to $55,000 annually for two years. The program could potentially add up to 1,700 rooms to the local housing market by targeting property tax exemption recipients alone.
Staff provided a comprehensive overview of funding sources following the recent passage of the action plan by City Council, emphasizing how the locally-approved housing levy and affordable housing sales tax comprise the vast majority of the community's housing investment capacity. These local funding sources generate approximately $7.5-8 million annually, far exceeding federal contributions of around $1.3 million from HOME and CDBG programs.
The meeting concluded with the board taking a two-month summer break, with the next meeting scheduled for August 14th to review the draft CAPER (Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report) before its public comment period begins.
Study Guide
## MODULE S1: STUDY GUIDE
**Meeting ID:** BEL-CDA-2025-05-08
### Meeting Overview
The Bellingham Community Development Advisory Board (CDAB) met on May 8, 2025, with many new members joining. The meeting featured two major presentations: DVSAS's Safe Start program for domestic violence survivors and their children, and the city's new Home Share Bellingham pilot program designed to match homeowners with extra rooms to people seeking affordable housing.
### Key Terms and Concepts
**DVSAS:** Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services - a local organization providing support and services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, including specialized programs for families with children.
**Home Sharing:** A housing model where homeowners with extra bedrooms rent rooms to tenants, creating more affordable housing options while providing companionship and additional income for homeowners.
**Nesterly:** The third-party platform contracted by the city to facilitate the Home Share Bellingham program, providing background checks, matching services, and ongoing case management support.
**CDAB (Community Development Advisory Board):** The city advisory body that reviews and makes recommendations on housing and community development funding allocations and programs.
**Area Median Income (AMI):** A measure used to determine housing program eligibility - different programs serve households at different percentages of AMI (50%, 60%, 80%).
**HUD:** U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which provides federal funding streams like HOME and CDBG that support local housing programs.
**Housing Levy:** A voter-approved property tax that generates about $4 million annually for Bellingham's affordable housing programs, currently in the middle of a 10-year term.
**Parenting After Violence:** DVSAS's 12-week support group program helping parents who have experienced domestic violence learn to support their children and rebuild healthy family relationships.
### Key People at This Meeting
| Name | Role / Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Shannon Laws | CDAB Chair, Community Representative |
| Elizabeth Hart | DVSAS Representative, Safe Start Program |
| Laura Welker | Aging Well Whatcom, Chucknut Health Foundation |
| Kathleen Morton | City of Bellingham Staff |
| Samuel (Samuya) | City of Bellingham Staff |
| Matt Unger | CDAB Member, 3rd Ward Representative |
| Catherine Freiland | CDAB Member, At-Large |
| Nina Rammelman | CDAB Member, King Mountain Neighborhood |
| Lillette Homson | CDAB Member, Happy Valley |
| Andrew Culkins | Bellingham and Whatcom County Housing Authorities |
| Matt | CDAB Member, South Hill |
| Jasmine Fast | CDAB Member, Cordotta Neighborhood |
| Ben Spicer | City Council Member, 5th Ward |
### Background Context
Bellingham faces a severe housing affordability crisis, leading the city to explore creative solutions like home sharing. The Community Development Advisory Board oversees millions in federal and local housing funds, including a $4 million annual housing levy and $3.5 million in affordable housing sales tax revenue. DVSAS provides critical services to domestic violence survivors, recognizing that children who witness domestic violence need specialized support to break cycles of trauma and abuse.
The home sharing concept emerged from research conducted by Aging Well Whatcom, which found significant community interest in shared housing arrangements. After local nonprofits lacked capacity to operate such a program, the city decided to pilot it directly using a contracted platform service.
### What Happened — The Short Version
DVSAS presented their Safe Start program, which served 34 parents and 82 children in fiscal year 2024 through parenting support groups, child advocacy, and trauma-informed services. The program helps families heal from domestic violence through education, support groups, and direct services, with a focus on strengthening relationships between children and their safe parent.
The city then unveiled Home Share Bellingham, a pilot program launching in July 2025. Using the Nesterly platform, the program will help match homeowners who have extra bedrooms with people seeking affordable housing. The city identified potential for about 1,700 additional rooms from households currently using property tax exemptions alone. The program costs $55,000 annually for two years and includes background screening, lease assistance, and ongoing case management support.
Staff also provided an overview of the various funding sources that support Bellingham's housing programs, totaling over $8 million annually from federal grants, local levy, sales tax, and general fund sources.
### What to Watch Next
- Home Share Bellingham marketing and outreach beginning in July 2025
- CDAB's next meeting in August to review the annual performance report
- Upcoming discussions about renewing the housing levy before it expires in several years
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