BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act will be put towards addressing homelessness, food insecurity and affordable housing in Bellingham.

The City Council voted on Monday, August 7th, to add the $2.1 million in ARPA funds to the city’s budget.

The bulk of the money is planned to fund an affordable housing project near Bellis Fair.

That $1.6 million will be used to help purchase property for the complex of about 60 units that is planned to break ground next fall.

Another $500,000 will go to the Bellingham Food Bank, who has now received just over $1 million in ARPA funds this year for additional food security.

The remaining $265,000 will support the Lighthouse Mission Basecamp in downtown Bellingham to help them pay rent.

A new 300-bed shelter on Holly Street is expected to open for the Mission next year.

The City has spent about one-third of their allocated ARPA funds so far, though they have committed nearly all of the $21 million to other projects.