Affordable Housing & Homeless Assistance
Program Overview
The Regional Housing & Community Development Program works to improve the communities in our region with an emphasis on housing quality, availability, and affordability. Ensuring safe, affordable and stable living conditions is always of concern; even more so during tough economic times.
The Regional Housing Advisory Committee tracks and monitors housing trends and issues within the region, advising the CWCOG board whenever local, state or federal action is needed. Special studies and reports are used to assess the needs of our area, assist community housing partners in meeting the affordable housing needs of our communities, and inform our elected officials of developing issues across our region that require action. The 2007 Regional Housing Plan calls for action to:
- Support the conservation and expansion of the affordable housing stock;
- Expand opportunities for low income households to achieve homeownership and build wealth;
- Meet the need for sound, affordable rental housing stock; and
- Promote fair housing opportunities, programs and services for low and moderate income households.
CWCOG staff coordinates the efforts of the Cowlitz Housing First Coalition/Continuum of Care to address the needs of those experiencing homelessness. Coalition membership reflects an array of housing and social service providers, local governments, business and faith communities and community stakeholders.
The first Cowlitz County Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness was developed and adopted in 2007, and amended in 2011 to incorporate new approaches and reflect new funding streams directed at preventing and ending homelessness. CWCOG staff acts in the role of Ten Year Plan Lead for the county, assisting with development of plans and strategies, and preparation of reports to evaluate progress and identify refinements to the program.
Committees
Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Regional Housing Advisory Committee
The Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Regional Housing Advisory Committee is a coalition of local agencies promoting the preservation and development of a full range of affordable housing opportunities within Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties. The committee works to ensure that all citizens of each county have the opportunity to choose a home that is safe, decent, accessible and affordable. The committee:
- supports the preservation, development and availability of affordable housing;
- supports homeownership programs such as self-help housing and promotes case management services to help people achieve self-sufficiency;
- promotes fair housing opportunities, programs and services for low and moderate income individuals and families;
- encourages the involvement of local financial institutions to fulfill the spirit and intent of the Community Reinvestment Act;
- provides information and recommendations for local governments regarding state and federal programs and proposed regulatory changes; and
- evaluates local, state and federal housing programs that have the potential to meet local needs.
| Meeting |
Agendas |
Minutes |
| January 26, 2011 |
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| February 23, 2011 |
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Meeting Summary |
| March 23, 2011 |
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| April 27, 2011 |
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| May 25, 2011 |
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| June 22, 2011 |
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| July 27, 2011 |
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Meeting Summary |
Cowlitz Housing First Coalition
The Cowlitz Housing First Coalition has a three-fold mission:
- to prevent homelessness whenever possible through discharge planning, diversion and intervention, and provision of emergency financial assistance;
- to empower families and individuals to achieve a stable living environment and to secure safe, affordable housing as quickly as possible; and
- to build community awareness, support and involvement in efforts to eliminate homelessness through collaboration and systems change.
PLEASE JOIN US for one of our meetings ; see our calendar for dates and times:
| Meeting |
Agendas |
Minutes |
| January 19, 2011 |
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| February 16, 2011 |
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| March 16, 2011 |
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| April 20, 2011 |
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Meeting Summary |
| May 18, 2011 |
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| June 15, 2011 |
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| August 17, 2011 |
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Meeting Summary |
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Plans & Studies
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Data / Information
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Calendar
 Housing First Coalition meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1:30 pm
Regional Housing Advisory Committee meets the 4th Wednesday of each month at 1:30 pm
Both committees meet at the Lower Columbia CAP Office in the Altrusa Room, located at 1526 Commerce Avenue, Longview, Washington.
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Resources
This section is under construction. Please check back!
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Contact Staff
For further information, please contact us at cwcog@cwcog.org, or call 360.577.3041.
Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments
Administration Annex
207 4th Avenue North
Kelso, WA 98626
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Melissa Taylor, Managing Planner
Directions to our office
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