Council Corner: Aug. 21, 2023 excerpt

Council authorized an agreement with the state Healthcare Authority to support Lakewood’s CHOICE. The City of Lakewood is now the fiscal agent of a two-year grant to support Lakewood’s CHOICE. Lakewood’s CHOICE is a substance abuse prevention coalition. CHOICE staff work with the Clover Park School District and other community partners to implement programs and services aimed at substance abuse prevention among youth. The City Council supports youth services and programming; authorizing the agreement aligns with Council goals.

Council approved the allocation of more than $2 million to the Living Access Support Alliance (LASA) Gravelly Lake Commons affordable housing project. The money will support the development of the organization’s planned 25-unit complex, providing much-needed affordable units in Lakewood.

In an effort to keep six Lakewood residents housed who were facing eviction, the City Council authorized the expenditure of $74,855. The city used money from its collection of the state affordable housing sales tax credit program. The city receives an estimated $98,000 a year through this collection. It is dedicated to assist with affordable and supportive housing.

At the end of July, Lakewood housing program staff learned the Metropolitan Development Council (MDC) did not file a timely application with Pierce County for funding to support its housing assistance program. Six Lakewood clients were directly affected and faced eviction. LASA stepped up and covered housing costs for August. But the residents need assistance for 11 more months. They qualify because their income is below the 30% of area median income threshold.

for more info; https://cityoflakewood.us/lakewood-managers-bulletin-aug-25-2023/