The Washington State Department of Commerce is accepting applications for the 2025–2027 Diversion Program Grant through a competitive Request for Application process. This grant opportunity supports efforts to provide homelessness diversion services to individuals at risk of or recently experiencing homelessness. Services funded through this program must be low-barrier, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive. Furthermore, applicants are expected to prioritize services for communities that are disproportionately represented in homelessness and housing instability, demonstrating a commitment to equitable service delivery.
The funding period for this opportunity spans two state fiscal years, beginning on July 1, 2025, and concluding on June 30, 2027. The total funding available per fiscal year will not exceed $1 million. The Washington State Department of Commerce anticipates awarding between five to seven contracts under this program. Applications must be submitted by April 10, 2025, at 5:00 pm Pacific Time.
An application webinar will be hosted via Microsoft Teams on Monday, February 24, 2025, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. This webinar will serve as an orientation for potential applicants to understand the requirements and expectations of the grant program. Additionally, there will be a Q&A period open from February 18, 2025, to March 10, 2025, allowing applicants to seek clarification on any elements of the application process.
Eligibility details are not explicitly stated in the source, but based on standard practice for such funding initiatives, eligible applicants are likely to include community-based organizations, local governments, and nonprofits engaged in homeless services. Final eligibility details may be found within the 25-27 Diversion Application Materials referenced but not included in the available content.
Applicants are expected to submit full proposals by the designated deadline. Proposals should reflect how the organization plans to implement diversion services in alignment with the grant’s trauma-informed and culturally responsive guidelines. Additional application questions and evaluation criteria are likely contained in the associated application materials available via the Department’s website.
For further information, applicants may contact Yasmine Atiroko, the Homelessness Diversion Program Manager, at yasmine.atiroko@commerce.wa.gov. Interested parties are encouraged to review the full application materials and participate in the scheduled webinar to gain comprehensive guidance on the application process.
