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DelBene, McMorris Rodgers, Thompson, Kilmer Introduce Bill to Support Innovation in Wood Building Construction

Reps. Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-05) and Derek Kilmer (WA-06) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would open up new markets and create jobs for rural economies by providing research, assistance and incentives for the construction of tall wood buildings throughout the United States.

PROPERTY INFORMATION CENTER WEBSITE IS TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE

Clark County’s Property Information Center, Maps Online and other web resources are not working correctly at the moment. Unfortunately, that means property-related services and information in several county departments are temporarily unavailable

Sen. Murray Applauds Affordable Housing Grant for WA State Low-Income Families

U.S. Senator Patty Murray, (D-WA), a senior member of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee, applauded the announcement that the Washington State Department of Commerce will receive $3,244,000 to increase the supply of rental housing and homeownership for low-income families. This grant was made possible through the first-ever disbursal from the Housing Trust Fund, a program that Senator Murray successfully fought to protect as a senior member of the THUD subcommittee, and part of her ongoing effort to tackle the homelessness epidemic

Ecology statement on Yakima enhancement bill passage

In response to U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell’s Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Act of 2016 amendment to the Senate Energy Bill passing the Senate and moving to the House, the Washington Department of Ecology issued the following statement

Larsen Announces Safety Grants for Skagit Regional Airport and Anacortes Airport

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today announced two federal grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for local airports in Skagit County. The Skagit Regional Airport will receive $73,675 and the Anacortes Airport will receive $298,675. Both grants will fund safety improvements

COUNTY HIRES MORE DEVELOPMENT STAFF TO MEET CONSTRUCTION UPSWING

The Board of County Councilors last week approved adding nine positions in Community Development to help meet increased building and development activity spurred by the improved economy. Additional staff is needed to serve the steadily growing number of people seeking building and remodeling permits, site development approvals and engineering on larger projects. With the nine, Permit Center waiting times should decrease, some contracted engineering work will be brought in-house, and inspections and plan reviews will move more quickly, said Marty Snell, Community Development director.

Merkley and Murray Announce Key Appropriations Win To Address Tribal Housing Needs In the...

U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Patty Murray of Washington announced today that the U.S. Senate is pressing the U.S. Army of Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) to move forward with construction of new tribal housing at historical fishing sites to replace villages that were flooded during the creation of the Columbia River dams.

White House Holds Meeting at Kilmer’s Request to Promote the Hiring of Local Workers...

Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) joined U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez and Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council Celia Munoz at the White House with a local labor leader, members of Congress, and other officials for a meeting on growing opportunities for local workers that can make it easier to complete large, complex construction projects on time and under budget.

CHALLENGES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN A NEW ERA OF SCARCITY

The future of affordable housing will be the topic of a Tuesday, April 19, meeting of the Commission on Aging, which is hosting a 2016 series of discussions focused on housing. The meeting will be in the sixth-floor hearing room of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St. It will begin at 4:30 p.m. and be open to the public.

Wildfire Recovery Assistance for Washington Reaches $3.5 Million from FEMA

Federal grants to help Washington recover from the state’s worst wildfire season have topped $3.5 million, according to officials with the Washington Military Department’s Emergency Management Division (EMD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

CENTRAL TRANSFER AND RECYCLING EXPANDS HOURS BEGINNING APRIL 15

Beginning April 15, the Central Transfer and Recycling Center will be open 8 a.m.‒4 p.m. Friday for household hazardous waste disposal. This is in addition to its 8 a.m.‒4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday hours.

Bellevue, Sound Transit honored for planning housing in BelRed

A Regional Coalition of Housing (ARCH) recognized the City of Bellevue and Sound Transit Thursday for their efforts to create a transit-oriented community with affordable housing in Bellevue's BelRed area

Tax-credit awards finance affordable housing statewide

Six new developments will add affordable housing through Washington State, thanks to an estimated $105 million in equity from Low-Income Housing Tax Credits allocated last week by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission

Washington, DC Tops EPA’s List of Cities with the Most Energy Star Certified Buildings/Energy...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its eighth-annual “Top Cities” list, which ranks the 25 U.S. metropolitan areas with the most Energy Star certified commercial buildings in the preceding calendar year. For the second year in a row, Washington, D.C. held its lead with 686 certified buildings. Los Angeles came in second with 527 buildings followed by third place San Francisco with 355 buildings. Atlanta and New York City round out the top five, each with more than 300 Energy Star certified buildings.

NEW SEASONS MARKET WINS FIRST GREEN BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD

New Seasons Market Fisher’s Landing has won the inaugural Clark County Green Business of the Year award. The store received the award, made of repurposed materials, Thursday during the annual Green Business Showcase.

NEW DOG PARK COMING TO COUNTY PROPERTY OFF NORTHEAST 192ND AVENUE

Dog lovers have an opportunity to help create a new off-leash area where dogs can run and play in east Vancouver. The Board of County Councilors today unanimously approved an agreement with Dog Owners Group for Park Access in Washington (DOGPAW) to develop a dog park on a county-owned parcel at Northeast 192nd Avenue and Northeast Ninth Street.

DEADLY HOUSE FIRE HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF HOME FIRE SAFETY

The Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office has determined a recent late-night blaze originated in the kitchen, claiming the life of an adult. The investigation is ongoing and the victim has not been positively identified

Cantwell Launches National Campaign to Increase Federal Resources for Affordable Housing

Senator, Mayors Murray, Strickland and Stephanson, along with advocates announce ambitious goals to expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit - an important federal tool for financing affordable housing

Council Roundup: Developing affordable housing strategy

Set to develop an affordable housing strategy, the City Council Monday approved $75,000 for consultant assistance on the project. Staff provided the council with an update of the city's housing needs assessment and obtained affirmation of project goals for this year's work program. The consultant will be paid out of the city's Housing Trust Fund

Spokane Habitat for Humanity to double its home building through new loan partnership

Thanks to a financing partnership between the Washington State Housing Finance Commission and Habitat for Humanity of Washington State, the Spokane Habitat affiliate will be able to build or rehabilitate twice as many homes over the next few years.

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KCHA spearheads successful effort to preserve nine subdized apartment complexes in...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 3, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- When a portfolio of nine privately owned Section 8-assisted housing complexes located in five counties scattered across Washington state was offered for sale last spring, the King County Housing Authority spearheaded a collaborative effort to purchase it. The housing authorities of Bremerton, Grays Harbor County, Yakima, and Chelan County and the City of Wenatchee participated in assuring the preservation of a total of 337 homes within the various communities.

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Calmwater Capital Originates $7.6 Million Loan for WSU Student Housing

Calmwater Capital, a leading national direct real estate lender, has provided $7.6 million in senior debt to Nelson Brothers Professional Real Estate, LLC to acquire and upgrade a student housing complex near Washington State University. The 184-bed property, known as College Crest Apartments, is located at 1555 NE Merman Drive in Pullman, Washington.