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2109 Sumner Avenue
Aberdeen, WA
United States

(360) 532-8631

Directory of services & programs

Housing

Grays Harbor County Public Health

Home > Housing & homelessness

We believe that everyone should have a safe and healthy place to live.


Request for Proposals for an Housing Needs Assessment

Grays Harbor County has issued a request for proposals (“RFP”) to interested and qualified agencies to provide a county-wide Housing Needs Assessment (the Assessment) that will be used to inform strategic planning options for expanding the housing supply at all income levels to attract private and nonprofit investment. This work would be built upon the County’s 2025 Housing Summit and ongoing discussions about barriers and opportunities for housing development in Grays Harbor County.

The full RFP can be found HERE


Request for Proposals for a Feasibility Analysis/Site Evaluation and Engineering Study

Grays Harbor County (“County”) has issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) seeking qualified agencies to conduct a feasibility analysis/site evaluation and engineering study to determine whether a proposed property has the necessary infrastructure and capacity to support the installation of up to 16 modular affordable housing units. The purpose of the project is to address the noted scarcity of affordable housing in Grays Harbor County. Eligible applicants must follow the application process and instructions located at the end of this RFP.

This RFP is intended to seek proposals from housing providers, property owners, developers, or entities with legal authority/ownership to offer parcels of land located within Grays Harbor County, Washington, suitable for the development of affordable housing of up to up to 16 modular units. The objective is to identify viable property for housing development intended to support community needs and expand affordable housing options within the county. The specifics of what this RFP will fund are noted in the full RFP document.

This RFP will open on Tuesday, February 10th, 2026, and all proposals are due by Thursday, March 5th, 2026, at 12 p.m.

The County requires the proposed applicant to have already the property location identified and as well requires overall site control. Priority will be given to entities who can demonstrate the capacity to conduct or contract out the services related to a feasibility analysis/site evaluation and engineering study on a property/properties under their authority and/or ownership.

The full RFP can be found on the County’s website at http://www.healthygh.org/directory/housing.

Applications may be submitted via e-mail, mail, or in person at:  

Grays Harbor County

c/o Mike McNickle

2109 Sumner Avenue

Aberdeen, WA 98520

Email: mmcnickle@graysharbor.us

The Request for Proposals will open Tuesday, February 10th, 2026, and will close at 12 p.m. on Thursday, March 5th, 2026.

The following are the required documents for proposals to be submitted to Mike McNickle:

1. A cover letter attesting that the application submission is in compliance with stated Threshold Criteria.

2.  A completed Application including narrative response to “Key Elements and Budget”.

3. The most recently completed Independent financial Audit showing significant findings and issues and, as appropriate, evidence of adequate responses to findings and issues identified.

Applicant assumes full responsibility for the delivery method chosen. Applications must be clearly marked with the title: Feasibility Analysis/Site Evaluation and Engineering Study Application. Applications submitted after the due date of March 5th, 2026, at 12 p.m. will not be considered. Applicants accept all risks of late delivery of mailed submittals regardless of fault.

Grays Harbor County reserves the right to reject all submittals and to waive irregularities and formalities in the submittal and evaluation process. This RFP does not oblige the County to pay any costs incurred by applicants in the preparation and submission of their proposal. Furthermore, this RFP does not obligate the County to accept or contract for any expressed or implied services.

The full RFP can be found HERE


CLOSED -- Request for Proposals — Management and Coordination of Housing System of Services

Grays Harbor County (“County”) has issued a request for proposals (“RFP”) to interested and qualified agencies to provide management, coordination and service delivery of a Housing System of Services in Grays Harbor County.

This RFP is intended for an agency that is a registered non-profit organization, behavioral health provider, government entity and/or federally recognized tribe that has the necessary capacity and experience to successfully manage, coordinate, provide and/or contract out services to individuals who are literally homeless or at risk of being homeless.

The RFP will open May 13, 2025, and all proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. May 26, 2025. Priority will be given to the agency who can demonstrate capacity and experience to provide the Housing System of Services to the most vulnerable clients.

Grays Harbor County reserves the right to reject all submittals and to waive irregularities and informalities in the submittal and evaluation process. This RFP does not oblige the County to pay any costs incurred by respondents in the preparation and submission of their proposal. Furthermore, the RFP does not oblige the County to accept or contract for any expressed or implied services.

All successful applicants will be subject to an initial risk assessment prior to further recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners.

The successful applicant, upon formal approval from the Grays Harbor County Board of Commissioners, will work with Grays Harbor County staff to negotiate a formal contract that will include a budget with specific deliverables, timelines, and outcomes. The County will be responsible for monitoring the recipient of the Housing System of Services to ensure alignment with fund requirements and contract deliverables. The contract may be structured to offer an opportunity to evaluate and revise as necessary after the initial twelve-month period of the agreement.

Applications and related materials must be received no later than Monday, May 26, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. to be considered. The applicant assumes full responsibility for the delivery method chosen. Applications must be clearly marked with HOUSING SYSTEM OF SERVICES.


Applications may be submitted via e-mail, mail, or in person at:  

Grays Harbor County Public Health

Attn: Alex Blumenthal

2109 Sumner Avenue

Aberdeen, WA 98520

ablumenthal@graysharbor.us

The full RFP can be found HERE

Due to May 26th being a holiday, applications will be accepted NO LATER than Tuesday, May 27th at 8:30 am

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

  1. When is the application due?

    • The RFP states the application is due by 4:30 on Monday, May 26th. Since May 26th is a holiday, application will be accepted no later than Tuesday, May 27th at 8:30 am.


CLOSED—REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Grays Harbor County (“County”) is requesting proposals to provide outreach, communication, technical assistance, and/or rental and utility assistance (“Services”) to historically disadvantaged populations for the time period of October 2024 – June 2025. Services will be targeted at specific populations and will be directed and substantially controlled by people from the populations served. Successful bidder(s) will propose programs that embody the assisted population’s central values. Applicants must provide a proposal and budget that covers how their organization will provide deliverables for the available program areas under the Eviction Prevention Program.

This request for proposals (“RFP”) is intended for organizations with the necessary capacity and experience to successfully deliver services to individuals in historically disadvantaged populations who are at or below 80% of the Area Median Income in a way that aligns with the Department of Commerce’s “Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG) guidelines”. This RFP is intended for organizations with the necessary capacity and experience using generally accepted accounting principles, administrative infrastructure, and the ability to operate services on a cost-reimbursement basis. The RFP will open August 13, 2024, and all proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. on September 10, 2024.

The full RFP can be found here.

Applications may be submitted via e-mail, mail, or in person at:  

Grays Harbor County Public Health

Attn: Natali Burgess

2109 Sumner Avenue

Aberdeen, WA 98520

natali.burgess@graysharbor.us.

The Request for Proposals will open August 13, 2024, and all proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. on September 10, 2024.

Applicant assumes full responsibility for the delivery method chosen. Applications must be clearly marked with EVICTION PREVENTION BY AND FOR APPLICATION. 

Applications submitted after the due date of September 10, 2024 at 4:30 pm will not be considered. Applicants accept all risks of late delivery of mailed submittals regardless of fault.

Grays Harbor County reserves the right to reject all submittals and to waive irregularities and formalities in the submittal and evaluation process. This RFP does not oblige the County to pay any costs incurred by applicants in the preparation and submission of their proposal. Furthermore, this RFP does not obligate the County to accept or contract for any expressed or implied services.

CLOSED - 05/15/2024 - Request for Proposals for “Tiny Home” Prototype and Exhibition Services

Grays Harbor County (“County”) has issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) to interested and qualified agencies to provide a prototype of a “tiny home”, commonly understood to be an independent, small-footprint dwelling, usually under 400 square feet, often on wheels. It is the intent of the County via this request and subsequent agreement to share the selected prototype with members of the public through a variety of public events at which the successful bidder will show and respond to questions about the prototype.  The scope of this project includes a “tiny home” prototype that could accommodate a single individual and does not necessarily include sanitation, cooking, or laundry facilities for the completed prototype. The County is interested in reviewing options for additional amenities (such as restroom facilities) onto the base model prototype. The prototype must be mobile/able to be transported to a variety of locations throughout the County during the contract period to be made available to the public. The County expects the protype would have a useful life at least five years from date of purchase. With this project, the County aims to strengthen communities by investing in a continuum of housing options including emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing.  The resulting tiny home prototype purchased will be the property of Grays Harbor County.

Eligible applicants must submit a narrative response to the questions at the end of this RFP, a new project application, and budget.  

This RFP is intended for entities with the ability, capacity and experience to successfully show a variety of model prototypes for consideration and subsequent purchase of one model, and make available to the public the exhibition of a model/prototype “tiny home”. The RFP will open May 15, 2024, and all proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. June 14, 2024.

The County reserves the right to reject any and all submittals and to waive irregularities and informalities in the submittal and evaluation process.  This RFP does not obligate the County to pay any costs incurred by respondents in the preparation and submission of their proposal.  Furthermore, this RFP does not obligate the County to accept or contract for any expressed or implied services.

Successful applicants will work with County staff to negotiate formal contracts with specific deliverables, timelines, and outcomes. The County will be responsible for contract compliance and monitoring all recipients of housing funds during purchase and performance by the successful bidder to ensure alignment with fund requirements and contract deliverables.

Estimated Calendar/Timeline*:
Issue RFP -
May 15, 2024
Questions Due- June 3, 2024
Proposals Due - June 14, 2024
Proposal Subcommittee Review (if applicable) - June 2024
Recommendations provided to BOCC - June 2024
Agency Contract Development Process - June/July 2024
Project Start Date - July 1, 2024
Contract period - July 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024
*Timeline is approximate and subject to change without notice.

Applications may be submitted via e-mail, mail, or in person at:

Grays Harbor County Public Health
Attn: Alex Blumenthal
2109 Sumner Avenue
Aberdeen, WA 98520
ablumenthal@graysharbor.us   

Applications and related materials must be received no later than Friday, June 14th at 4:30 p.m. to be considered. The applicant assumes full responsibility for the delivery method chosen. Applications must be clearly marked with TINY HOME PROTOTYPE APPLICATION. 

Questions and Answers:

Question: The Project Start Date states July 1 and lists a contract period.  Does this mean the Prototype must be pre-built and ready by submission date?

Answer: Yes, the prototype must be pre-built.

Question: Where/who would be expected to store it?

Answer: This will be determined during contract negotiations

Question: Please clarify what the County is referring to at the top of page 4: “The County will require, when applicable, all subrecipients and vendors to certify they either meet or do not meet the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Princip, Uniform Administratively, and Audit Requirements. If the applicant indicates they do not meet or exceed the audit threshold, a copy of their single audit is required to be sent to County staff. Audit verification, risk assessment (if applicable), contract execution, and contract orientation must be completed prior to distribution of any funds.” What is the point of this?

Answer: To determine if this is applicable, following RFP submissions the County will review the “Subrecipient vs. Contractor” checklist to determine if the resulting contract will be a subrecipient or contractor agreement. If the contract is a subrecipient award we will proceed with a risk assessment where we will determine if these requirements apply to the contracted agency and ask them to provide documentation of compliance. Please refer to CFR Part 200 Uniform Admin Requirements here

Question: What do you mean by ‘Capacity to operate the project on a cost-reimbursement basis?” Especially for a For-Profit business? Will the apparently successful bidder only be reimbursed on a cost-basis only?  

Answer: The County can only reimburse actual and eligible expenses incurred and paid by the contracted entity, within the parameters of the fully executed contract. The contractor will be expected to perform deliverables outlined in the fully executed contract and provide documentation of actual and eligible expenses incurred and paid prior to reimbursement by the County.

Question: At what time and how will reimbursement occur? These terms will be determined in contract negotiations.

Answer: Typically the County provides payment within 30 days of received invoices that are determined to be complete, correct, and eligible per the contract.

Question: What do you mean by ‘complaint with government accounting systems’ and how is this definition determined? Please provide definition of ‘compliant’

Answer: Contractors will be expected to have accounting systems in place that can track your expenses, financial records, bookkeeping, timekeeping and other essential accounting needs specific to this contractual agreement, as well as direct and indirect cost allocation procedures if applicable in the terms of the contract.

Compliant definition is agreeing to meet/follow accordance with County rules and standards.

Question: The Liability Insurance amounts seem high for the amount in the RFP, why is that? Why is this amount in the project?

Answer: The liability insurance amounts are the minimum for all County contracts.

Question: Is there a Bond requirement? If so, what is the amount? What are they bonding to?

Answer: No bond requirement; county is not contracting for a construction project; asset must be already constructed.

Question: What do you mean by contract compliance and monitoring?

Answer: Contract compliance and Monitoring is the process where County staff verify and document the contractor is complying with all terms and conditions outlined in the contract. This also includes tracking the process and performance/status of what is being asking to complete in the contract (scope of work/deliverables) and administrative requirements such as such as timely and correct/complete invoice submission, documentation of outlined deliverables, documentation of required insurance coverage, documentation of any required policies and procedures as applicable, monthly monitoring meetings, etc…

This is the common process used to track the performance and status of contracts to ensure obligations are being fulfilled as contracted.

Question: For Threshold criteria when submitting the letter, what if the entity has not completed an independent audit for a for profit organization? What kind of audit are you looking for?

If the agency is not required to complete an audit (has received $750,000 or more in federal funds in the last year) the agency can note that in the threshold criteria letter.

 If the agency has completed an audit other than the single audit, the agency can note that.

 

 


CLOSED - Request for Proposals now open - Capital Investment for Emergency Shelter

Grays Harbor County (“County”) has issued a Request for Proposals to interested and qualified agencies to purchase or designate a physical asset and obligate such real property to be used to provide emergency shelter for an indefinite period of time.

  • Grays Harbor County is seeking to invest in real property obligated to support a continuum of emergency shelter services that prioritize safety, minimize negative health impacts of unsheltered homelessness, and seeks to proactively engage individuals experiencing homelessness with necessary and available services in a coordinated way. The County seeks to provide funds to purchase and/or develop physical asset(s) that will assist our community to meet the basic needs of residents accessing services and quickly work to connect them to available and requested services to increase their stability and well-being. These capital investments and resulting services should be designed and implemented in coordination and collaboration with broad stakeholder engagement.

 

The RFP is intended for agencies with the necessary capacity and experience to successfully purchase, plan, develop, implement, and evaluate physical assets designed to provide emergency shelter to individuals who are literally homeless in a way that aligns with the 2019-2024 Grays Harbor Plan to Address Homelessness and Department of Commerce’s “Consolidated Homeless Grant Guidelines.” The RFP will open March 5, 2024, and all proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. on April 30, 2024.

Applicants to receive and implement funds for capital purchase/development of emergency shelter assets will be responsible for identifying ongoing, sustainable operating funds and/or service provider(s) to deliver direct services. This RFP and subsequent contract DOES NOT obligate Grays Harbor County to provide funding for ongoing operations of the resulting shelter.

The full RFP can be found here.

Applications may be submitted via e-mail, mail, or in person at:  

Grays Harbor County Public Health

Attn: Natali Burgess

2109 Sumner Avenue

Aberdeen, WA 98520

natali.burgess@graysharbor.us.

The Request for Proposals will open March 5, 2024 and will close at 4:30 p.m. on April 30, 2024.

Applicant assumes full responsibility for the delivery method chosen. Applications must be clearly marked with HOUSING APPLICATION - Proposals for Capital Investment for Emergency Shelter Capacity. 

Applications submitted after the due date of April 30, 2024 at 4:30 pm will not be considered. Applicants accept all risks of late delivery of mailed submittals regardless of fault.

Grays Harbor County reserves the right to reject all submittals and to waive irregularities and formalities in the submittal and evaluation process. This RFP does not oblige the County to pay any costs incurred by applicants in the preparation and submission of their proposal. Furthermore, this RFP does not obligate the County to accept or contract for any expressed or implied services.

 Questions and Answers

Question: Has a shelter location ever found/established for a permanent shelter?

Answer: No, no specific site has been discussed or approved.


CLOSED Request for Proposals - Rural Modular Housing development

Grays Harbor County (“County”) has issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) to interested and qualified agencies to expand Affordable Housing units in the form of Modular Housing. The purpose of the project is to address housing disparities in rural locations within Grays Harbor County. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant hardship to many households who are struggling with rent or locating affordable housing because of economic distress. 1,2 With this project, the County aims to build stronger communities by investing in housing and neighborhoods. Eligible applicants must submit a narrative response to the questions at the end of this RFP, a new project application, and budget.

• Modular Housing Units for Affordable housing to serve low-moderate income residents in more rural areas of Grays Harbor County. Funds for this project include ARPA funding for the purpose of meeting affordable housing needs.

This RFP is intended for housing providers, nonprofits, rural city council entities and other eligible local service providers with the necessary capacity and experience to successfully acquire land and purchase modular units for affordable housing within the more rural communities of Grays Harbor County. The RFP will open November 8th, 2023, and all proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. November 27th, 2023. Although the County does not require prior site ID, location identification and site control is preferred. Priority will be given to entities who can demonstrate prior experience. The County reserves the right to reject any and all submittals and to waive irregularities and informalities in the submittal and evaluation process. This RFP does not obligate the County to pay any costs incurred by respondents in the preparation and submission of their proposal. Furthermore, this RFP does not obligate the County to accept or contract for any expressed or implied services.

Questions must be submitted in writing to clentz@graysharbor.us by November 15, 2023.

You can find the full Request for Proposals document here.

Homeless Housing Task Force

The annual housing system performance reports are now available. Click here for more information.

Grays Harbor County has created and published annual reports to measure and share information about homeless system performance. These reports show progress the County has made in key benchmarks and provides data about services provided to clients experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The October 2022 Housing Stakeholder Materials discussing the 2021-22 System Performance Measures and 5 Year Plan Update can be found here.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

CLOSED OCT. 23 2023
Grays Harbor County (“County”) has issued a Request for Proposals to interested and qualified agencies to provide cold weather emergency shelter services. Applicants must submit a narrative response to the questions at the end of this RFP, a new project application, and a proposed budget.  

  • Cold Weather Shelter for literally unsheltered clients during the cold weather season (November 2023-March 2024). The County reserves the right to extend the period of performance beyond March 31, 2024, depending on community need, subcontractor performance, and/or available funds.

 

The RFP is intended for housing providers with the necessary capacity and experience to successfully deliver services to individuals who are literally homeless in a way that aligns with the 2019-2024 Grays Harbor Plan to Address Homelessness and Department of Commerce’s “Consolidated Homeless Grant Guidelines” The RFP will open September 6, 2023, and all proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. on October 23, 2023. Priority will be given to programs who can demonstrate capacity and procedures are in place to prioritize the most vulnerable clients and work alongside literally homeless clients to remove barriers and successfully help them obtain and maintain permanent housing. 

The full RFP can be found here.

Applications may be submitted via e-mail, mail, or in person at:  

Grays Harbor County Public Health

Attn: Natali Burgess

2109 Sumner Avenue

Aberdeen, WA 98520

natali.burgess@graysharbor.us.

The Request for Proposals will open September 6th and will close at 4:30 p.m. on October 23rd.

Applicant assumes full responsibility for the delivery method chosen. Applications must be clearly marked with HOUSING APPLICATION - Proposals for Emergency Cold Weather Shelter Services. 

Applications submitted after the due date of October 23rd, 2023 at 4:30 pm will not be considered. Applicants accept all risks of late delivery of mailed submittals regardless of fault.

Grays Harbor County reserves the right to reject any and all submittals and to waive irregularities and informalities in the submittal and evaluation process.  This RFP does not obligate the County to pay any costs incurred by respondents in the preparation and submission of their statement of qualifications.  Furthermore, the RFP does not obligate the County to accept or contract for any expressed or implied services.