Serving Franklin County, WA
Serving Franklin County, WA
PASCO — The city is receiving a $100,000 grant from the state Department of Commerce to help alleviate the shortage of affordable housing.
The city is among several in the area receiving funds from the agency's $1.7 million Housing Action Plan grant announcement.
Other area cities receiving grants include Prosser and Mattawa, $75,000; and Ritzville and Pullman, $25,000.
Walla Walla is receiving $50,000 to implement its existing action plan and Othello is getting $25,000.
Commerce officials said one study shows a shortage of more than 225,000 affordable housing units in the state.
“This funding puts tools in the hands of community leaders to take steps to address housing capacity at the local level,” Commerce Director Lisa Brown said. “Planning for adequate affordable housing at all income levels strengthens communities and supports vibrant, equitable economies that allow more people to live and work where they want.”
The Housing Action Plan program was created in 2019 by the state Legislature to help address housing affordability and encourage communities to put a higher priority on addressing related issues.
The Legislature also amended the Growth Management Act to require affordable housing programs and promote a variety of residential types, including apartments to create more "inclusive" neighborhoods.
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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