Join the Board of Commissioners  

Bellingham & Whatcom County Housing Authorities 

Bellingham (within city limits) Appointment 

Volunteer Board Opportunity  

The Bellingham & Whatcom County Housing Authorities (BWCHA) are seeking a new commissioner to join their combined Board of Commissioners. Bellingham Housing Authority and WCHA – together BWCHA – work to provide affordable housing throughout the region through a variety of rental assistance and affordable housing programs. BWCHA supports 7,000 people throughout the region each year through the Housing Choice Voucher Program (or Section 8), Public Housing, and other affordable housing properties. 

For this board appointment, the housing authority is seeking an individual who resides in Bellingham (within city limits). 

As a member of the combined Bellingham & Whatcom County Housing Authorities’ boards, you will: 

• Guide affordable housing investments in a growing region. 

• Review, advise on, and approve agency policies and strategic plans. 

• Oversee governance and financial information of the housing authority. 

• Collaborate with leadership to shape workplans and organizational goals. 

• Participate in monthly board meetings and contribute to decision-making. 

Background on Bellingham & Whatcom County Housing Authorities (BWCHA) Board 

The combined Boards of the Bellingham Housing Authority and the Whatcom County Housing Authority consist of five members, one of which is a resident position. Of these, three members are named by the Bellingham Mayor and two are named by Whatcom County Executive.  The Board of Commissioners serve as the governing bodies for both housing authorities and are responsible for approving decisions that chart the direction of current and future programs, and authorize the actions of the Executive Director and their designees. 

Commitment Required 

Regular Board meetings are held the third Tuesday of the month at 1:00PM and generally last for two hours.  Commissioners serve five-year terms and receive no financial compensation for their service on the Board.  

Eligibility 

To be eligible for appointment, candidates must be residents of the City of Bellingham and be at least 18 years old.  In addition to these requirements, it is highly desirable that candidates possess one or more of the following qualifications: 

1. Commitment to the housing authority’s mission to offer opportunities for people to thrive by ensuring access to quality, affordable homes; 
2. Familiarity with the needs, conditions, and services available to lower income residents of Bellingham; 
3. Experience developing, implementing, and monitoring public policy; 
4. Knowledge and expertise concerning the successful administration of mid-to large business, non-profit, or governmental entities and have served in a management position within such an entity; 
5. Knowledge and expertise concerning community development programs and issues; 
6. Knowledge and expertise concerning affordable housing programs and issues. 

Applying 

To be considered for appointment by the City Mayor, please send a letter of interest, resume, and three professional references via email to HR@bellinghamhousing.org. An application must also be submitted through the City website at: Boards and Commissions Application Process – City of Bellingham 

Please also include with your submittal: 

• Proof of Bellingham residency (inside city limits) (Provide 2 of the following: a copy of your driver’s license; voter registration card; utility bill; rent receipt; or verifiable lease agreement.) 

• The names, addresses, and phone numbers of three professional references. 

Applications are reviewed upon receipt, so it is in your best interest to submit your application as soon as possible. All applicants will be notified concerning the status of their applications and subsequent steps in the Board’s recruitment effort.  

For additional information, contact Lindsay Burmeister, Executive Services Manager at HR@bellinghamhousing.org, or 360-527-4606. 

BOARD OF COMMISSION MEETING CANCELLATION NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the regularly scheduled meeting of the Bellingham & Whatcom County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. has been cancelled.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.

This notice is provided in accordance with applicable public meeting requirements.

RFP Addendum – Compensation and Classification Study: The Salary study has an addendum. To view the addendum please click download for the document. You can also view this document in the resources section as well. This document can also be requested by email from lindsay.burmeister@bellinghamhousing.org

Volunteer Board Opportunity

The Bellingham & Whatcom County Housing Authorities (BWCHA) are seeking a new commissioner to join their combined Board of Commissioners. Bellingham Housing Authority and WCHA – together BWCHA – work to provide affordable housing throughout the region through a variety of rental assistance and affordable housing programs. BWCHA supports 7,000 people throughout the region each year through the Housing Choice Voucher Program (or Section 8), Public Housing, and other affordable housing properties.

For this board appointment, the housing authority is seeking an individual who resides in Whatcom County outside of Bellingham.

As a member of the combined Bellingham & Whatcom County Housing Authorities’ boards, you will:

• Guide affordable housing investments in a growing region.
• Review, advise on, and approve agency policies and strategic plans.
• Oversee governance and financial information of the housing authority.
• Collaborate with leadership to shape workplans and organizational goals.
• Participate in monthly board meetings and contribute to decision-making.

Background on Bellingham & Whatcom County Housing Authorities (BWCHA) Board

The combined Boards of the Bellingham Housing Authority and the Whatcom County Housing Authority consist of five members, one of which is a resident position. Of these, three members are named by the Bellingham Mayor and two are named by Whatcom County Executive.  The Board of Commissioners serve as the governing bodies for both housing authorities and are responsible for approving decisions that chart the direction of current and future programs, and authorize the actions of the Executive Director and their designees.

Commitment Required

Regular Board meetings are held the third Tuesday of the month at 1:00PM and generally last for two hours.  Commissioners serve five-year terms and receive no financial compensation for their service on the Board.

Eligibility

To be eligible for appointment, candidates must be residents of Whatcom County outside of the City of Bellingham and be at least 18 years old.  In addition to these requirements, it is highly desirable that candidates possess one or more of the following qualifications:

1. Commitment to the housing authority’s mission to offer opportunities for people to thrive by ensuring access to quality, affordable homes;
2. Familiarity with the needs, conditions, and services available to lower income residents of Bellingham;
3. Experience developing, implementing, and monitoring public policy;
4. Knowledge and expertise concerning the successful administration of mid-to large business, non-profit, or governmental entities and have served in a management position within such an entity;
5. Knowledge and expertise concerning community development programs and issues;
6. Knowledge and expertise concerning affordable housing programs and issues.

Applying

To be considered for appointment by the County Executive, please send a letter of interest, resume, and three professional references via email to HR@bellinghamhousing.org. An application must also be submitted through the County website at: https://www.whatcomcounty.us/210/Boards-Commissions.  

Please also include with your submittal:

• Proof of Whatcom County residency (outside of the City of Bellingham) (Provide 2 of the following: a copy of your driver’s license; voter registration card; utility bill; rent receipt; or verifiable lease agreement.)
• The names, addresses, and phone numbers of three professional references.

Applications are reviewed upon receipt, so it is in your best interest to submit your application as soon as possible. All applicants will be notified concerning the status of their applications and subsequent steps in the Board’s recruitment effort.

For additional information, contact Lindsay Burmeister, Executive Services Manager at HR@bellinghamhousing.org, or 360-527-4606.

Status of BWCHA Programs During the Federal Government Shutdown

Beginning on October 1st, 2025, the federal government shutdown due to a lapse in appropriations.  While Bellingham & Whatcom County Housing Authorities (BWCHA) receives federal funding, BWCHA is not a federal agency and continues to operate during this time.

BWCHA’s federally funded programs, including Public Housing and the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), will continue to operate as normal in November and December. The Department of Housing & Urban Development has stated that funds will be available for housing authorities to issue subsidies to landlords throughout October, November and December. As such, we do not anticipate any interruption in services for these programs at this time.

BWCHA continues to actively track developments at the federal level and remains committed to providing reliable services for both tenants and landlords.

Additional resources for tenants:

National Housing Law Project: HUD Tenants’ Rights During the Government Shutdown