Request for Public Comment – Utility & Flat Rent

Bellingham & Whatcom County FY 2024 Utility Allowance and Public Housing Flat Rent Schedule

The Bellingham & Whatcom County Housing Authorities (BWCHA) are proposing revisions to their FY 2024 Utility Allowance and Public Housing Flat Rent schedules with an anticipated implementation date of January 1st, 2024.

At this time, we are seeking the input of BWCHA residents, community partners and interested community members to provide feedback on the proposed revisions before they are reviewed and approved by the BWCHA Board of Commissioners.  The plans may be viewed below or by request.

The public comment period will begin September 5, 2023, and end on October 6, 2023, at 12:00 PM.

Participants wishing to comment will need to do so in writing, no later than October 6th, 2023, at 12:00PM.  Public comments must be emailed by clicking here.  Comments will be shared with BWCHA’s Board of Commissioners.

Request for Public Comment – Agency Plans

The Bellingham/Whatcom County Housing Authorities (BWCHA) are proposing revisions to the FY 2024 Agency Plans with an anticipated implementation date of January 1st, 2024. At this time, we are seeking the input of BWCHA residents, community partners and interested community members to provide feedback on the proposed revisions and propose additional revisions before they are reviewed and approved by the BWCHA Board of Commissioners. Draft plans are available below or by request.

The public comment period will begin August 19, 2023, and end on October 13, 2023, at 12:00 PM.

 

Resident Advisory Meetings will be held on:

September 11, 2023 at 2:30 PM – Chuckanut Square, 1400 12th Street, Bellingham

September 12, 2023 at 2:30 PM – Washington Square, 2501 E Street, Bellingham

September 13, 2023 at 2:30 PM – Lincoln Square, 409 York Street, Bellingham

September 13, 2023 at 4:00 PM- Baycrest community room, 4660 Loft Lane, Blaine

 

A public hearing will be held at 1PM on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at BWCHA’s office at 333 N Samish Way in Bellingham. The meeting may also be joined via Zoom using the call-in instructions below.

Comments must be emailed by clicking here by October 13, 2023, at 12:00PM.

 

To Join the Meeting via Smart Phone or Computer
(data rates may apply)

https://bellinghamhousing-org.zoom.us/j/86827346793

 To Join via Phone:
(phone service provider rates may apply)
Webinar ID: 868 2734 6793

(253) 215-8782 (Tacoma)
(206) 337-9723 (Seattle)
(669) 900-6833 (Portland)
(971) 247-1195 (Phoenix)
(346) 248-7799 (San Jose)

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

Commissioner Candidate Search

 

Candidate Sought for the Housing Authority of the City of Bellingham Board of Commissioners

The City of Bellingham Housing Authority (BHA) is currently seeking one new commissioner for the Board of Commissioners. The vacancy can be either an at-large or resident (client) position.

The combined Boards of the City of Bellingham Housing Authority and the Whatcom County Housing Authority consists of five members, one of which is a resident position.  Of these, three members are named by the City of Bellingham Mayor.  The Commissioners are 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 his designees.

Regular Board meetings are held the third Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m.  Commissioners serve five-year terms and receive no financial compensation for their service on the Board.

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 BHA’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.

To be considered for appointment by the Mayor, please send a letter of interest and resume to:

Executive Services Manager
208 Unity Street
Bellingham, WA 98225

or by email at hr@bellinghamhousing.org.

An application must also be submitted through the City website at https://www.cob.org/gov/public/bc/Pages/Boards-and-Commissions-Application-Process.aspx

Your letter of interest should address:

  • Your desire and willingness to serve on the Bellingham Housing Authority Board of Commissioners and indicating the strengths that you would bring to the Housing Authority’s Board;
  • A brief record of your personal history and experience which highlights any of the above listed qualifications possessed.

Please also include with your submittal:

  • Proof of City of Bellingham residency (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.

This information can be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered to:

Bellingham & Whatcom County Housing Authorities
208 Unity Street
Bellingham, WA 98225

Fax: 360-676-7747

hr@bellinghamhousing.org

An application shall have been deemed to have been transmitted if all required information has been delivered by fax, e-mail, or by hand to the Bellingham Housing Authority or deposited in the United States mail as registered or certified mail. This position will remain open until filled.**

The Board will review all applications and applicants will be notified concerning the status of their applications and subsequent steps in the Board’s recruitment effort. After clearing the initial evaluation phase, candidates should be prepared to answer the following questions:

  1. Have you had a civil judgment levied against you in the past five years?
  2. Have you been convicted of a criminal violation?
  3. Are you currently involved in either civil or criminal litigation?
  4. Have you been disbarred from practicing law or had your license to practice a profession suspended or revoked?
  5. Are you current on your taxes and other regulatory filings?
  6. Is there anything that the Board should know about you that has the potential for causing embarrassment to the citizens of the City of Bellingham if you were selected to serve on the Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners?
  7. If you answered “Yes” to questions 1, 2, 3, 4, or 6, please explain why you should be considered for appointment to the City of Bellingham Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners.

Applicants must be prepared to provide verification of all information included in their application materials.

 

**Deadline updated 4/18/2023

Board of Commissioners Special Meeting

DATE: December 1, 2022

CONTACT:
Brien Thane
Executive Director

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

 

***MEDIA ALERT***

SUBJECT: BOARD OF COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETINGS NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that three (3) or more Commissioners of the Bellingham Whatcom County Housing Authority may attend the Bellingham Housing Authority and Whatcom County Housing Authority Special Board of Commission Meetings held December 13 starting at 1 PM.

Our December 20th regular Board of Commission Meetings have been cancelled.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC – PLEASE NOTE:
Please follow the below call-in procedure and note that members of the public can conference into the meeting but will be in listen-only mode.

The Bellingham Whatcom County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners will meet electronically on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. Board Members and the public can attend this meeting via zoom or in person at the Mt Baker Theatre Encore room located at 102 W. Champion St. at this time.

Those who wish to provide public comment may send direct e-mail to publiccomment@bellinghamhousing.org and must be submitted no later than 5pm on the day prior to the meeting.

Meeting Information

Webinar ID: 868 2734 6793

Click Here to Join on Computer, Tablet, or Smart Phone
(data rates may apply)

To Join via Phone:
(phone service provider rates may apply)
(253) 215-8782 (Tacoma); (206) 337-9723 (Seattle)
(669) 900-6833 (Portland); (971) 247-1195 (Phoenix); (346) 248-7799 (San Jose)