Sumas Square 8 Step Process Early Notice

Washington State Department of Commerce

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT – DISASTER RECOVERY PROGRAM

Sumas Square Apartments Project

Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed

Activity in a 100-Year Floodplain 

 

To: All interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals

This is to give notice that the Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined that the following proposed action under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, grant #P-21-WA-53-LDZ1, is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain, and Commerce will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action within the floodplain and the potential impacts on the floodplain from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690 in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands.

The proposed project is the Sumas Square Apartments at 408 Second Street, City of Sumas, Whatcom County. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using a freeboard value approach.  The existing 11-unit, 8,000 sq. ft. apartment building is on a 0.5-acre parcel. The project site is in the 100-year floodplain (Zone AE). The proposed project will receive approximately $2.8 million in CDBG-DR funds to reconstruct the multi-family structure that will be resilient to future flooding by elevating the structure and using flood-resistant materials. 

Floodplains provide essential ecological functions, including floodwater storage, groundwater recharge, and water quality maintenance. The floodplain in the project area may help manage stormwater by temporarily storing excess floodwaters, which reduces downstream flood risks. Additionally, floodplains contribute to groundwater recharge by allowing rainwater to infiltrate and replenish local aquifers. Natural floodplains also serve as filters for pollutants and sediments, improving water quality before runoff reaches local waterways. Project construction activities may reduce the floodplain’s capacity to absorb excess water, and the addition of impervious surfaces could limit water infiltration, affecting local groundwater levels.

Beyond their ecological benefits, floodplains can provide intrinsic values such as community green space, scenic views, and passive recreational opportunities. They may also serve as areas for environmental research on urban hydrology and floodplain management or hold historical significance. The development will reduce the amount of available green space in the area. However, the project area does not currently support recreational use or environmental studies. Additionally, no known historical significance has been identified for the project site.

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplain and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the floodplain, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate project impacts on the floodplain. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplains can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplains, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received on or before May 7, 2025, via email at [email protected]  or the following mailing address: Washington State Department of Commerce, Attention: Lanée Egolf, CDBG-DR Environmental Review Officer, P.O. Box 42525, Olympia, WA 98504.  A full description of the project may also be reviewed Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Friday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. at the Housing Authority of Whatcom County, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington 98225.

Posted Date: April 22, 2025

Notice of Waitlist Opening

Project Based Voucher - Senior County

The Bellingham Housing Authority will open the following waitlist to new pre-applications on March 18, 2025 at 10am

Project Based Voucher – Senior County

2 Bedroom (Senior)

To qualify, the Head of Household must be 62 years of age or older.

Pre-applications must be submitted online by clicking the apply button below and will only be accepted for households who meet occupancy standards for the unit size specified above.

The Bellingham Housing Authority’s office is open for walk-in appointments. For assistance with the application process, please email or call our Applicant Hotline.

Notice of Waitlist Opening

Project Based Voucher - City of Bellingham

The Bellingham Housing Authority will open the following waitlist to new pre-applications on March 18, 2025 at 10am

Project Based Voucher – Senior City of Bellingham

2 Bedroom (Senior)

To qualify, the Head of Household must be 62 years of age or older.

Pre-applications must be submitted online by clicking the apply button below and will only be accepted for households who meet occupancy standards for the unit size specified above.

The Bellingham Housing Authority’s office is open for walk-in appointments. For assistance with the application process, please email or call our Applicant Hotline.

Media Alert

DATE: June 11, 2024

CONTACT:
Brien Thane
Executive Director

Lindsay Burmeister
HR / Executive Services Manager
(360) 715-7330

 

***MEDIA ALERT***

SUBJECT: Notice is hereby given that three (3) or more Commissioners of the Bellingham Whatcom County Housing Authority may attend the Bellingham Housing Authority Samish Commons Grand Opening this Friday, details below:

Samish Commons Grand Opening
Friday, June 14 @ 11:30am
321 N Samish Way, Bellingham, WA 98225

No formal action will be taken by the Commission during this event.

Landlord Webinar

Bellingham Housing Authority Presents:

An Educational Webinar on the Landlord Aspect of the Housing Choice Voucher Program

Bellingham Housing Authority is welcoming all landlords, leasing agents, and property managers to an “Hour of Power” where we will be discussing topics from the landlords perspective when it comes to working with the Housing Choice Voucher Program in our local Whatcom County!

Please join us on August 23, 2023 at 2PM Pacific Time

For a link to the Zoom Webinar, please email our Landlord Liaison before the 23rd to receive an invite. Email Landlord Liaison, click here.

Interested in Learning More about Partnering with Whatcom County Housing Agencies? Please sign up for our News Letter in partnership with Whatcom Landlords and Housing Professionals Community Group. Whatcom Landlords & Housing Professionals Interest Form (google.com)

We’ve Moved!

Attention Housing Authority Participants, Tenants, Applicants, & Partners:

The Bellingham and Whatcom County Housing Authority is excited to announce that we are moving administrative offices.  Our office located at 208 Unity Street in Bellingham, WA will permanently close on June 23, 2023, and the new office will be located at 333 N Samish Way in Bellingham, WA.   Our team will continue to be available by appointment only, and a document drop box will be available at the new location.  Our phone number will remain (360) 676-6887 and mailing address PO Box 9701 Bellingham, WA 98227.

New Address:
333 N. Samish Way
Bellingham, WA 98225

Mailing Address (unchanged):
PO Box 9701
Bellingham, WA 98227-9701

Phone (unchanged):
(360) 676-6887