Community Reinvestment Program Work Group

The Community Reinvestment Program (CRP) group includes state agencies, lawmakers, and local leaders. Together, they are planning the future of one of Washington's most important programs for fair funding.

About the Community Reinvestment Program

Local communities created the CRP. The program builds lasting financial opportunities and helps neighborhoods across Washington thrive. In 2022, the Legislature created the Community Reinvestment Account (RCW 43.79.567).  

This account aimed to address the racial, economic, and social disparities created by the “War on Drugs.”  During those years, both state and federal governments used strict laws to heavily punish drug possession.

The Legislature directed that funds be invested in five program areas:

• Economic development
• Civil and criminal legal help
• Community-based violence intervention and prevention
• Reentry services
• Agriculture

The Department of Commerce runs the program alongside the Office of Equity. For the 2025-2027 budget years, the program received $60 million. This amount includes $50 million in brand-new funding. The program gives funding first to "by-and-for" organizations. These are groups run by and for Black, Latino, Native American, Asian, and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.

Legislative direction

In 2026, lawmakers passed a new law sponsored by Representative Kristine Reeves. Known as House Bill 2523 (or E2SHB 2523), this bill makes the Community Reinvestment Program permanent and protects it with stronger oversight. Among other things, the law:

• Codifies the Community Reinvestment Program and its program areas in statute.
• Strengthens conflict-of-interest safeguards for organizations that receive CRP grants.
• Requires the Office of Equity and the Department of Commerce to review and update the Community Reinvestment Plan every five years.
• Tells the Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) to study how the program shares and spends CRP funds.
• Establishes the CRP Work Group to develop a plan for joint administration of the program by the Office of Equity and the Department of Commerce.

Starting July 1, 2027, the Office of Equity and the Department of Commerce will run the Community Reinvestment Program together.

Purpose of the Work Group

The law, E2SHB 2523, created the CRP Work Group. This group will give advice on how the two agencies can run the program together. They will also work to make the program more open, accountable, and effective. The Work Group is responsible for:

• Developing recommendations for the Legislature, due by November 1, 2026.
• Designing the framework for joint administration of the program by the Office of Equity and the Department of Commerce.
• Getting ready for the change. This means planning future advisory groups, connecting with the community, and figuring out how to measure success.

The Work Group might suggest changes to state law so the two agencies can run the program together. If so, the Legislature must introduce and pass those changes during the 2027 session. Then the Governor must sign them before they can take effect.

Membership

The Work Group has 21 members. This group brings together state agency leaders, lawmakers, and community members.