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Whatcom County Housing Advisory Committee

Charter

Primary Objectives

1. The Whatcom County Housing Advisory Committee (WCHAC) is responsible for evaluating proposed uses of SHB2060 and ESSHB 2163 funds and is charged with making recommendations to the Whatcom County government regarding the use of these funds.
2. Support the development and preservation of affordable, low-income housing to address critical needs through out Whatcom County
3. Utilize funds in a manner consistent with Substitute House Bill 2060 and ESSHB 2163 (RCWs 36.18 and 36.22 as amended) and ensure that funding supports the intent of the original legislation to increase housing opportunities for homeless and low-income individuals.
4. Allocate funds annually and in a manner consistent with the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between Whatcom County and the cities of Whatcom County for the purpose of administering Surcharge Funds generated as a result of Substitute House Bill 2060 and ESSHB 2163 (RCWs 36.18 and 36.22 as amended).

Guiding Principles

1. Allocate funds in a manner that supports the goals and/or needs identified in the relevant sections of county, local government and/or community plans addressing low-income housing.
2. Achieve a balance between accountability and the public benefit by employing application, fund distributions and monitoring processes that are efficient, simple, short and easy to understand and in compliance with local and state law.
3. Invest in quality projects that are conceptually sound and financially feasible, that respond to identified need within Whatcom County.
4. Fund projects and programs that leverage other resources, when appropriate.
5. Fund projects that demonstrate planning and coordination with other Whatcom County service providers.
6. Uniformly and consistently apply policies and procedures.
7. Utilize a consensus model to facilitate decision-making. The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure by Alice Sturgis, latest edition, shall govern parliamentary procedure when Committee is unable to reach consensus.

By-Laws

The WCHAC shall establish and operate under bylaws approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the group.

Membership

Members shall be appointed by the County Executive and will not be compensated for their participation. The Whatcom County Housing Advisory Committee shall be no less than nine (9) members and no more than (15) members.

Membership of the WCHAC shall include representatives from each of the following community stakeholders as follows:

• Special Needs                                  
• Social Services
• Low-income Housing
• Urban Housing
• Rural Housing
• Small Business
• Finance
• Tribes

Membership Responsibilities

• Each member selected will commit to attendance at the meetings.  
• If the designated member cannot attend, the work of the group will be trusted, and the group is therefore accountable to one another and the good of the whole.
• Be familiar with all prime and supportive documents, as well as the appropriate federal, state and local governmental regulations concerning the provision of low-income housing and/or related services.
• Uphold the locally established SHB 2060 ESSHB 2163 Guiding Principles.
• Act in the best interests of the county as a whole and disclose potential conflicts of interest according to Whatcom County policy.
• Ensure citizen participation, when appropriate, in the application and/or evaluation process.

Meetings

WCHAC will meet monthly and/or as necessary at the location established by the Health Department. The committee shall determine the time and date of WCHAC meetings.

Results/Outcomes Expected

Allocate funds annually and in a manner consistent with the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between Whatcom County and the cities of Whatcom County for the purpose of administering Surcharge Funds generated as a result of Substitute House Bill 2060 and ESSHB 2163 (RCWs 36.18 and 36.22 as amended).

Principles for Quality Management / Best Practice

• Identify established best practice standards in the creation and maintenance of public housing resources.
• Assure that the availability of housing and residential supports enhances access, and benefit of other medical and social supports and services.
• Seek to provide the right housing option, at the right time, at the right cost and consistently delivered to attain the consumer identified and desired outcome within our financial resources.
• Be responsive to consumers and advocates by providing safe, affordable housing resources that meets their housing needs.
• Treat all consumers and advocates with respect and dignity.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of stable safe, affordable housing resources and supports which aid in individual recovery and or the achievement of personal and/or family stability.

Committee Responsibilities

The principles that are specific to our Committee Responsibilities include:

• Create a collaborative approach and “no blame” environment that minimizes overlap.
• Acknowledge where we cannot be collaborative due to our vested interests and roles.
• Work at understanding one another's perspectives.
• Honor one another's intrinsic roles and responsibilities.
• Acknowledge the dynamic tensions in the system and seek ways to manage them.
• Develop mechanisms for accountability at all levels of the system.
• Celebrate successes as well as focusing on areas for improvement.
• Involve consumers and advocates in the process.
• Keep things simple and doable.
• Maintain a sustained focus over time that balances resource development with efforts to sustain existing housing resources.
• Prioritize and when adding something, look at what can be taken away if necessary.
• Track information reliably, with data that has integrity.
• Make decisions based on data and established outcome measurements.

Group Working Agreements

• Start and end on time.
• Everyone participates and everyone's views are important.
• Assume good faith and good intentions on the part of colleagues.
• Focus on the future.
• Agree on what important words mean. (Back up your generalizations with
• concrete examples and ask others to clarify their meaning.)
• Consider modification of your thinking based on the needs and ideas of others.
• Participate thoughtfully by listening as well as talking. (Silence means general, rough support for the direction under discussion.)
• Set aside all perceptions and assumptions about what anyone else thinks or wants. (Check out what you hear; seek clarification.)
• No side conversations, please.
• Use the following process to work on “straw polling” and decision-making:

5=love it

4=let's do it

3=can live with it and support it

2=have to keep talking about it

1=no way, no time

• If a consensus is not achieved, a majority/minority report will be forwarded to the County Executives Office.

Expected Project Completion Date

Ongoing

Sub-Committee Meetings

To be established as needed to deal with specific issues.