Cowlitz County Emergency Fund

The Cowlitz County Emergency Fund was established to support community projects that address homelessness during an emergency. An "emergency" is defined as a situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or the environment.  This fund does not assist individuals with housing needs.

Agencies may apply for assistance from the Emergency Fund to assist with a short term urgent funding need that has, or will, significantly interrupt essential services or impact the health and safety of the homeless population.

Funding is provided through a cost-reimbursement model, not a lump-sum grant. Applicants approved for funding will be required to submit itemized receipts for expenses being reimbursed within 60 days of funding approval. 

Appropriate uses of the Emergency Fund include:

  • Natural disasters (fire, flood, tornado, storm damage, loss of utilities)
  • Emergency needs (phase-out costs associated with closing a program due to a sudden loss of funding, equipment failure, civil disturbance, severe weather events, or other conditions determined by the Cowlitz County Health Officer to be an imminent threat to public health and safety)

The Emergency Fund will not be considered for the following:

  • To "bail out" agencies because of mismanagement or budget shortfalls
  • To assist individual applicants
  • To provide services outside of Cowlitz County
  • For sectarian or religious purposes
  • For political purposes
  • To support ongoing program work

All applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FORM

For more information, contact:
Gena James, Deputy Director
360-414-5599 extension 6454
jamesg@cowlitzwa.gov

Where does this funding come from?
​Per RCW 36.22.176, 178, 179, and 1791, Cowlitz County collects document recording fees from real estate transactions filed in the county which can be used for homelessness/housing programs.​
Who approves or disapproves requests?
The Cowlitz County Board of County Commissioners makes the funding decisions and relies on Cowlitz County Health & Human Services (CCHHS) to administer the funding.
What types of requests are eligible for reimbursement from the Cowlitz County emergency fund?

Cowlitz County has an “Emergency Fund” to support projects that address homelessness during an emergency. 

Agencies may apply for assistance from the Emergency Fund to assist with a short-term urgent funding need that has, or will, significantly interrupt essential services or impact the health and safety of the homeless population.

Appropriate uses of the Emergency Fund include:

  • Natural disasters (fire, flood, tornado, storm damage, loss of utilities)
  • ​Emergency needs (phase-out costs associated with closing a program due to a sudden loss of funding, equipment failure, civil disturbance, severe weather events, or other conditions determined by the Cowlitz County Health Officer to be an imminent threat to public health and safety)

2021-2026 Overview

View the 2021–2026 Overview of Requests for the Past Five Years (PDF)​​​