BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Whatcom County Council has reversed a decision to withhold federal COVID relief funds from the Lighthouse Mission.

The council voted on May 9th to withhold $750,000 in funding from the American Rescue Plan from the mission because it will not hire members of the LGBTQ community.

Council member Kathy Kershner introduced a motion at a meeting on Tuesday, May 23rd, to reverse that decision, saying the work it does overshadows that issue.

“It’s probably our most serious problem, right? The homeless issue, the mental health crisis and the drug abuse issue,” said Kershner. “And the Lighthouse Mission literally walks out and picks people up off the street.”

Her motion passed with no discussion.

The council also passed another motion instructing the County Executive to draft a contract earmarking those funds for the kitchen in the mission’s new facility.

Mission president and CEO Hans Erchinger-Davis says its policy excluding LGBTQ people does not extend to the many homeless people they serve.

You can listen to a full interview with Kathy Kershner on our Podcast page.