Editor,

As part of the newly passed COVID relief bill, Congress has added $25 billion for rental assistance to be divided among the states.

I ask that the State of Washington please do not give this money to the counties to administer.

Specifically, here in Island County, under the previous CARES Act, Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson tells me they distributed $1.7 million for rental assistance.

Really? To whom? Nobody I’ve spoken to has heard of a rental assistance program for Island County.

I don’t know anyone who has received rental assistance from Island County. Have you?

Ms. Price Johnson then went on to tell me that the State of Washington was also giving money to Island County to be distributed as rental assistance.

Really? I called the Island County Department of Human Services, and representatives there informed me that they “do not have a rental assistance program, but they hope to have one sometime in the new year.”

So, what happened to the money from the state, Helen? Who got the CARES Act money, Helen?

I call on the State of Washington to direct the state auditor to conduct an audit of Island County to determine where the money meant for rental assistance has gone.

Also, I implore the State of Washington, do not to give the upcoming COVID rental relief money to the counties to distribute.

This money is either being diverted into the general fund or being given to friends and family who own rental property and not to renters who are behind in their rent.

Anthony Vicari

Freeland