Housing Advisory Committee of Whatcom County

Housing Program

Stable housing is the foundation upon which people build and improve their lives.

The Human Services Housing Program provides opportunities in the community to create safe affordable housing. Together with public and private partners and with the Whatcom County Coalition to End Homelessness, we work to reduce and ultimately end homelessness in our community.

The Housing Program is funded with local document recording fees, grants from Washington State Department of Commerce, and local veteran and mental health funds dedicated to homeless housing assistance.

The work of the Housing Program:

  • Awards funds to organizations that directly assist people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless with housing and services.
  • Facilitates community wide planning, participates in regional planning
  • Updates and oversees implementation of the Plan to End Homelessness
  • Conducts annual Point in Time Count of homeless people
  • Acts as liaison to Department of Commerce
  • Represents the community as Continuum of Care lead
  • Provides housing and service related advocacy on behalf of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness

Members

Erika Lautenbach              Designated -County Health Dept

Satpal Sidhu                      Designated -County Executive

Kyle Christensen               Designated -Small Cities rep

Michael Jones                   Designated -Small Cities rep

Samya Lutz                       Designated - City of Bellingham

Tara Sundin                       Designated - City of Bellingham


Teri Bryant                        Homeless Service Center

Karen Burke                      Housing Advocate

Dean Fearing                    Housing Development Representative

Diana Phair                       Tribal Nation 

Hadrian Starr                     Homeless Advocate

Brien Thane                      Housing Authority 

Ashley Thomasson           Non-Profit Provider Representative

Marc Walker                      Housing Industry 

Deanna Wildermuth          Housing Advocate

Meetings

  • 2nd Thursday of every other month, 8:30 - 10:00 AM (Feb, Apr, June, Aug, Oct, Dec)
  • Due to the Governor's directive regarding COVID-19, all meetings must be held virtually until further notice. 

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Committee Bylaws

  1. Proposed By-Law Amendment (March, 2020)