State Budget Includes $1 Million for Washington Families Fund

State Budget Includes $1 Million for Washington Families Fund

The 2010 Special Session adjourned April 13 after the Legislature passed both the Operating and Capital Budgets and a revenue package that raised the $757 million needed to implement those budgets. The Legislature also made more than $750 million in cuts to K-12, higher education, and other state services. Building Changes' Washington Families Fund survived the cuts, and will be receiving $1 million from the state for its programs.

Building Changes grantees, partners, board members, and staff were very active in reaching out to Legislators. Here’s why we’re celebrating.

• The Operating Budget included $1 million for the Washington Families Fund! Both the House and the Senate heard the many e-mails and calls generated by the board and staff of Building Changes, and they stepped up to recommit to the Washington Families Fund. While quite a bit lower than our original request, we are very pleased that the State continues to make the Washington Families Fund a priority in ending homelessness.


• The Capital Budget included $30 million for the Housing Trust Fund. Securing funding for the Housing Trust Fund was a major priority for Building Changes and our partners, the Washington State Coalition for the Homeless and the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, this session. The Legislature dedicated $25 million to workforce housing and $5 million to two General Assistance Unemployable (GAU)/Security Lifeline pilot projects.

Governor Gregoire signed the new state budget into law on May 4th.