IPRTF - Justice Project Oversight & Planning Committee - June 18, 2026

The Justice Project Oversight & Planning Committee of Whatcom County convened on June 18, 2026, primarily to discuss supportive housing programs for individuals with behavioral health issues and histories of incarceration. The meeting featured a panel discussion focusing on how supportive housing can aid sobriety journeys and what accountability looks like for residents. Various stakeholders, including housing providers, substance use disorder professionals, law enforcement, and community members, shared perspectives on the need for diverse housing options ranging from housing first models to more structured sober living environments. Key themes included the importance of accountability balanced with compassion, the need for expanded clean and sober housing especially for women and men with children, and the challenges of managing behavioral health and substance use within housing programs. The committee also touched on related programs such as the Community Justice Treatment and Accountability initiative and the Anchor program for long-term treatment. No formal procurement or contracting decisions were made during this meeting. The session concluded with plans for continued discussion on supportive housing and a field trip to the site of a new jail construction project on Hannegan Road.