A new funding opportunity is available from the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) to fund agencies that help support housing stability for low- and fixed income veterans, seniors, and vulnerable populations who are homeowners and renters in King County.
Many individuals and families encounter significant barriers to affordable housing, placing them at heightened risk of losing stable accommodations. Homeowners and renters in King County encounter numerous challenges as the cost of maintaining housing stability continues to rise. When housing costs exceed what households can afford, it often results in financial distress and, in some cases, foreclosures. In 2021, a staggering 76% of low-income households in King County spent more than 30% of their income on housing, leading to significant financial burdens and making it difficult to afford other essential necessities.
Communities of color, who have historically faced institutional racism and systemic oppression, households with members who have disabilities, those whose subsidies are being terminated, single parents and kinship care households, young adults who have transitioned or are transitioning from the child welfare system, and seniors and veterans on fixed incomes often face challenges in securing affordable and stable housing.
Funding overview
Housing Counseling and Foreclosure Prevention (HS 7) seeks to fund one or more entities to provide counseling, financial planning, and financial assistance to help low-income or fixed-income homeowners in King County avoid housing loss due to foreclosure, failure to pay property taxes, or sudden loss of income.
Successful applicants will be expected to provide:
- Housing counseling and foreclosure prevention services
- Financial counseling
- Resource referral and navigation
- Outreach and education
- Culturally relevant supports
Additionally, the following may be provided:
- Innovative services not mentioned above that would extend the reach of services to more individuals in need
- Flexible Financial Assistance
Housing Legal Aid (HS 8) seeks to fund one or more entities to provide not-for-profit or pro bono legal services to advise and represent individuals in legal matters which may result in loss of housing and related legal matters with a housing nexus.
Successful applicants will be expected to provide:
- Outreach and education
- Full representation at eviction proceedings, tenant negotiations, lease terminations, and other housing or civil legal matters with a housing nexus
- Assistance with submission of documents on behalf of tenants
- Referrals to community-based services
- Culturally relevant supports
Additionally, the following may be provided:
- Innovative services not mentioned above that would extend the reach of services to more individuals in need
- Pre-court legal assistance
- Flexible Financial Assistance
Agencies may apply for either or both strategies in one application.
Application details
Available funding:
Housing Counseling and Foreclosure Prevention (HS 7): up to $1,273,462 in Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy funds.
Housing Legal Aid (HS 8): up to $4,575,020 in Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy funds.
Investment period: December 1, 2024 – December 31, 2027 (subject to change)
Questions: Contact Ebony Wood at ewood@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-4366
Applications due: August 23, 2024 by 2:00pm Pacific Time
Join the information session to learn more about the funding opportunity
A virtual information session to discuss questions related to this RFP will be held on July 24, 2024, 11:00am – 12:30pm.
Join by Zoom:
https://kingcounty.zoom.us/j/6992157892?omn=83846864130
Meeting ID: 699 215 7892
Passcode: 121000
The information session will be recorded and posted here.
This will be a remote session with speech to text captioning provided. For accommodations to participate, please contact Ebony Wood by 3pm on July 16, 2024.
About the VSHSL
The Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL), administered by the King County Department of Community and Human Services Adult Services Division, promotes healthy living, financial stability, social engagement, housing stability and service system access for veterans, seniors, and resilient communities.