County Q&A: Follow-up on The Justice Project, Housing, and Homelessness
Hey King Mountian Neighbors,
Thanks to those of you who took the time to participate in our Community Conversation evening with County Councillors Jon Scanlon, Barry Buchanan and Elizabeth Boyle. The Councillors really appreciated their time with us. They prepared the following information in lieu of our the topics that garnered the most attention at our meeting.
If you have more questions you'd like us pass on or would like to request a topic for further learning and discussion with a county or City official, please let us know wand we will see what we can do. The County Councillors want to hear from you.
1. How much is the new jail going to cost?
Early estimates included in the 2024 interlocal agreement signed by Whatcom County and participating cities projected construction costs of $150 million. Since then, we’ve seen a significant shift in the financial landscape due to inflation, and the county now anticipates a cost of $205 million for construction of the new jail.
2. What is the planned size of the new jail?
In planning for the new facility, the county conducted in-depth jail capacity analyses to identify the community’s current and future facility needs. The project team used this information to develop programming for the new jail in alignment with the county’s $205 million budget. In August 2026, after significant deliberation, Council voted to advance a design that includes 450-460 beds with room on site to expand to meet future needs. Council’s motion also included a request that the project team prioritize—without sacrificing housing capacity—the inclusion of a second courtroom, rapid resource center, and family visitation space in the jail, all highly-desired features that were not included in early programming due to budget constraints. Watch a recent presentation on Behavioral Care Center and jail design.
3. Why was the location of the new jail changed?
Compared to the original LaBounty site, the Hannegan site has a number of advantages, including better construction conditions (with a shorter construction timeline and significant financial savings), a simpler permitting pathway, and a more convenient location for law enforcement and first responders.
4. What’s the plan for the current downtown jail site?
The county intends to continue to utilize the sallyport (secured entryway) for transporting people from the jail to court in the near term while long term plans are developed.
5. How is Whatcom County supporting diversion and behavioral health programs to help individuals struggling with mental health or substance use disorder challenges?
In addition to the new jail facility, Whatcom County is also spending $34 million to construct a new Behavioral Care Center at the Division Street behavioral care campus. This facility will provide a place to divert eligible people from the jail into treatment. Council recently received a presentation from the project’s design team on programing for the new facility, which will provide treatment for mental health and substance use disorders.
The County also continues to make significant investments in programs that reduce the need for law enforcement response, help address root causes of incarceration, and support our community’s most vulnerable. See below for an overview of 2025 investments:
Crisis Response and Diversion - $2.9 million
Whatcom County continues to invest in the following programs from a variety of County funding sources:
· Mental Health Court diverts individuals from the criminal justice system into community-based care.
· The Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program provides intensive case management services to individuals recently arrested or who have frequent encounters with law enforcement. Case managers help participants with stable housing, medication management, substance use disorder treatment, job opportunities, family reconciliation, transportation to appointments, etc.
· Ground-Level Response and Coordinated Engagement (GRACE) (in coordination with the City of Bellingham) provides intensive case management services to frequent utilizers of the crisis response system.
· The Alternative Response Team (ART) dispatches a social worker in place of a law enforcement officer to address non-dangerous medical incidents related to unmet behavioral health or social needs.
· Whatcom County has established and staffed a Severe Weather Shelter in Downtown Bellingham for the past several winter seasons to ensure unhoused residents have a warm place to stay on the coldest nights and recently signed a contract for a nightly cold weather shelter for the 2026-2027 winter season.
Addressing Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health - $10 million
· Prevention ($1.8m in 2025): Youth programs to treat substance use, mental health challenges, build healthy habits, and support families. During the 2024-2025 school year, 2,582 youth received direct mental health and substance use support. Most of these services (75%) reached students living outside of Bellingham. Research shows that every $1 spent on these school programs can save $18 down the road.
· Intervention ($4.1m in 2025): Helping people deal with unhealthy behaviors, housing, legal, or health struggles as they appear.
· Treatment ($2.7m in 2025): Providing intensive care for mental illness, substance use, reentry after incarceration, and reducing recidivism.
· Aftercare ($1.4m in 2025): Supporting long-term mental health recovery and stable housing. These programs reinforce healthy behaviors and crime-free lifestyles.
Housing - $6.3 million
In 2025, Whatcom County invested in a number of supportive and affordable housing projects:
· The County utilized $1 million from the County Housing and Supportive Services fund to support the new Lake Whatcom Residential Treatment Center in Birchwood, which provides assisted living facilities for 86 adults with behavioral health challenges.
· In addition to the funds listed below under Aftercare for addressing substance abuse and mental health, an additional $900,000 was spent on permanent supportive housing for people with overlapping disabilities and extended periods of homelessness, and another $640,000 went towards an enhanced emergency shelter for people exiting from institutions.
· In 2025, the County was also awarded $3.6 million in grant funding through the Trueblood Diversion Workgroup to expand permanent supportive housing for residents with behavioral health needs. This funding, in partnership with investments from the City of Bellingham, will add 37 new supportive housing units, including 11 units specifically for people who experienced state delays in receiving competency evaluations or restoration services after a criminal charge. Other funders include the Washington State Department of Commerce and a direct appropriation from the state legislature.
6. How can I learn about affordable/income restricted housing in Whatcom County?
Subsidized Rentals: This document lists affordable/income restricted housing opportunities in Whatcom County.
Whatcom Resources: This website is a free and open-source tool for linking Whatcom County residents with social services.
7. How can I get involved? How can I track county government decisions on the jail, Behavioral Care Center, housing, and homelessness?
There are a number of ways to get involved:
· Join a county advisory committee. The county has 40+ advisory committees to inform decision-making. To learn about vacancies and apply, go to https://www.whatcomcounty.us/1585/Current-Vacancies.
· Follow county discussions on the Justice Project, including the jail and behavioral care center. Several advisory committees conduct detailed work before proposals go to the County Council, including:
o Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force (IPRTF): The Task Force is responsible for reviewing the county’s criminal justice and behavioral health systems and making recommendations on evidence-based programs to address the underlying causes of incarceration and lead people into supportive services.
o Finance and Facility Advisory Board: Provides financial oversight of funds collected from the public safety sales and use tax and makes recommendations on the finance and operations of the jail, behavioral health programs, and supportive housing facilities and services.
o Justice Project Oversight and Planning (JPOP) Committee: Monitors Task Force and County progress toward Justice Project goals and recommends regular updates to the Implementation Plan
· Track discussions on housing and homelessness:
o Housing Advisory Committee: Advises the county on housing, including plans to end homelessness and address low-income housing needs
o Whatcom County Coalition to End Homelessness: Collaboration between public and private agencies in Whatcom County working to create a system of housing and services with the ultimate goal of moving homeless families and individuals into housing stability
· Participate in Council meetings and share your input with councilmembers: Regular Council and committee meetings are held every other Tuesday, with some exceptions. Community members can attend meetings on site in Council Chambers at the County Courthouse (311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA) or online via Zoom. Meeting schedules and agendas are available in the Legislative Information Center. If you would like to provide public comment, there are several options:
o Participate in the Public Comment period of a Finance and Administrative Services Committee meeting (2 minutes per speaker; comments are limited to items on the committee agenda).
o Participate in Open Session at a regular evening Council meeting (3 minutes per speaker).
o Attend a Community Conversations event.
o Send an email to all councilmembers at Council@co.whatcom.wa.us.
· Connect with other elected officials: Whatcom County’s criminal justice system involves several different county offices and elected officials:
o Sheriff
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