Family Emergency Shelter Services Grant

The Washington State Department of Commerce is offering a funding opportunity through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP No. 2025-46157) to support emergency shelter services for families experiencing homelessness in South King County. This grant is part of the 2025–2027 Operating Budget, with a dedicated $150,000 available for State Fiscal Year 2026. The purpose of this RFP is to maintain critical services and shelter capacity for homeless families, with an emphasis on best practices such as housing-first, low-barrier entry, trauma-informed care, and harm reduction strategies. This opportunity is targeted exclusively at nonprofit organizations currently operating family centers and emergency shelter beds for homeless families in South King County. Applicants must demonstrate at least one year of experience in serving this population and either be licensed to do business in Washington State or commit to becoming licensed within 30 calendar days of selection. Organizations must submit deliverables-based proposals, as funding will be provided only upon the acceptance of specific milestones. These milestones include comprehensive written reports detailing service plans, implementation status, partnerships, HMIS data integration, and outcomes. The contract period begins on November 5, 2025, and ends June 30, 2026, with reimbursement available for approved services and deliverables only. No payments will be made in advance. The scope of work involves sustaining or enhancing shelter bed availability, reporting household data through the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), and demonstrating client-centered programming approaches. The budget outlines four equal deliverables, each valued at $37,500, which must be submitted across the contract timeline and verified through written documentation. A virtual pre-proposal conference will be held on September 25, 2025, and participation, while encouraged, is not mandatory. The final proposal submission is due by October 13, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Proposals must be submitted electronically in Microsoft Word or PDF format to the RFP Coordinator. No zipped files will be accepted, and late or incomplete proposals will be disqualified. Proposals will be evaluated based on technical approach, work plan, staffing, past experience, and cost proposal. Preference may be given to small or veteran-owned businesses as required by state legislation for contracts under $150,000. Additional documentation, including certifications, assurances, a diverse business inclusion plan, and a workers’ rights certification, is mandatory for consideration. The grant is managed by Kathryn Dodge, the Federal Audit Response Manager at the Department of Commerce, who serves as the point of contact for all proposal-related communications. The RFP emphasizes compliance with state laws regarding privacy, nondiscrimination, and electronic payment policies, and requires all applicants to be registered with the Department of Revenue. This opportunity is limited to organizations providing services within South King County and is not open to entities operating elsewhere or outside Washington State.

Attend pre-proposal conference, follow submission formatting rules, and ensure all certifications are signed. Clarify subcontracting early if planned.