EVERETT — Snohomish County joined seven other local governments across the country in suing the Trump administration Friday.
The complaint alleges the administration added unlawful conditions for public transit and homelessness assistance funding. The executive branch does not have the authority to alter federal grant conditions without explicit approval from Congress, the lawsuit says. Specifically, the suit focuses on Federal Transit Administration funding and Continuum of Care grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The federal government awarded Snohomish County $16.7 million in Continuum of Care grant funding for the coming program year that starts July 1. However, the county can only use the funding if it complies with federal executive orders, including those related to immigration status; health care; and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
“The requirements also conflict with our values as a county government,” Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers said in a press release Friday. “We are dedicated to upholding the law and to meeting the needs of Snohomish County residents. We cannot, legally or ethically, agree to these new contract stipulations. A legal challenge is our only reasonable path forward to preserve crucial programs and resources for the public we serve.”
The Continuum of Care grant funding goes toward 23 programs that offer housing and supportive services for homeless individuals and families in Snohomish County. The grant has supported efforts to reduce homelessness since 1994. The county anticipates that its partner agencies would also not be able to sign off on the unlawful conditions. Partner agencies provide rapid rehousing and rental assistance, as well as specific services for young adults, people with disabilities and survivors of domestic violence.
“A loss of this magnitude would create devastating gaps in services,” Somers said. “We would expect to see a rapid and significant increase in homelessness, potentially doubling the number of people who are living unhoused in Snohomish County. We would also lose much of our ability to collect data, monitor trends to help adjust for current needs, and efficiently manage the referral process to connect people with housing.”
The county does not receive funding from the Federal Transit Administration.
Two other Washington counties — King and Pierce — joined the city and county of San Francisco, Santa Clara County, New York City, Boston and Columbus, Ohio, in filing the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Seattle. The governments will also file a temporary restraining order today to prevent the departments from imposing or enforcing the grant conditions, according to a press release from King County.
Jenna Peterson: 425-339-3486; jenna.peterson@heraldnet.com; X: @jennarpetersonn.
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