sept. 14, 2020

Eviction moratoriums

Governor Inslee announced the extension of the eviction moratorium through Oct. 15 as COVID-19 continues to impact Washingtonians.

In addition, following an Executive Order by President Trump, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is using its authority to temporarily halt evictions through the end of 2020 to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Under the CDC Order, American renters who meet certain conditions cannot be evicted if they have affirmatively exhausted their best efforts to pay rent, seek government rental assistance and are likely to become homeless due to eviction.

In general, the more restrictive state eviction moratorium takes precedence while it is in effect through Oct. 15. We will provide more information as we learn it.

In the meantime, if a landlord or motel owner is threatening to evict a renter, the tenant can file a complaint with the state Attorney General's office.

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Changes to the Quarterly Performance Dashboards

By Kyle Gitchell, Commerce Data Quality and Reports Analyst

The quarterly dashboards are updated for quarters three and four of state fiscal year 2020 (Jan. 1 - July 31). If you have not had the opportunity to view the array of visualizations that the analysts in the Housing Assistance Unit have developed, look at them on our Tableau Public page.

We are currently working on consolidating some of these down into one comprehensive system performance dashboard. This dashboard would take the Temporary Housing, Rapid Rehousing and Homelessness Prevention dashboards and put them into one set of visualizations. The hope is to have an easier-to-navigate one-stop-shop for all of your system performance data needs.

If you need the information in the current visualizations, do not worry, they will still be available. We will simply be discontinuing updates as we move forward with this project. The rest of the dashboards are staying the same and will continue to be updated on their normal schedule.

You can learn more about these updates in the recent Love Your Data HMIS newsletter.

NEW: Washington Listens

A new program that provides nonclinical support to people experiencing elevated stress due to COVID-19 is just a phone call away. Please share this information with the people you assist in your programs!

Washington Listens is a program to help Washington rebuild our state and strengthen resiliency. Anyone in the state can call to receive anonymous support for stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic or any of the events that occurred because of it. Find more information at https://www.walistens.org/.

Equity corner

Supporting DEI Efforts in your Organization

Organizations are in different places on the path of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work.  There are several tools and resources to support efforts along the way, and we can all learn from each other's efforts.

Check out a recent article by the Municipal Research and Services Center with examples from Snohomish County, the City of Wenatchee and the City of Bainbridge Island, Tacoma and more.

Commerce furloughs for fall 2020

In keeping with Governor Inslee's furlough directive to help the state reduce costs and weather the economic fallout of the pandemic, Commerce will be closed Friday, Oct. 16 and Wednesday, Nov. 25.

Online Trainings available at your convenience Self-directed trainings and certificates are accessible at your convenience on our training webpage.

Virtual Trainings in Action Introductions to Mental Health Training for Homeless Providers is open for registration. Use the links below to sign up. Sept. 14, 15 and 16 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mental-health-training-for-homeless-service-providers-tickets-119149977791 Access code: 4224 Sept. 14, 15 and 16 from 1 - 3 p.m. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-mental-health-training-for-homeless-service-providers-tickets-119155129199

Washington State Health Care Authority mental health resources SAMHSA Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance and resources ACL COVID-19 guidance and resources VA's Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) webpage VA's Coronavirus FAQs page

Questions? Contact us

Grant Managers

Jessica Simon jessica.simon@commerce.wa.gov

Julie Montgomery julie.montgomery@commerce.wa.gov

Kathryn Dodge kathryn.dodge@commerce.wa.gov

Megan Kendig megan.kendig@commerce.wa.gov

Sarah Harrison sarah.harrison@commerce.wa.gov

Grant Coordinator

Kim Murillo kim.murillo@commerce.wa.gov

Training & Benefits Verification System Coordinator

Linda Terry linda.terry@commerce.wa.gov

OFAH Program Director

Kathy Kinard Kathy.kinard@commerce.wa.gov

About Commerce

Commerce works with local governments, businesses, community-based organizations and tribes to strengthen communities. The department’s diverse portfolio of more than 100 programs and effective public and private partnerships promote sustainable community and economic development to help all Washingtonians thrive. For more information, visit http://www.commerce.wa.gov. For information on locating or expanding a business in Washington, visit choosewashingtonstate.com.

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