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<br />Kittitas County, Washington <br />BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />District One District Two District Three <br />Linda Huber Alan Crankovich Mark McClain <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />KITTITAS COUNTY COURTHOUSE · 205 WEST 5th , SUITE 108 · ELLENSBURG, WA 98926 <br />(509) 962-7508 · FAX (509) 962-7679 <br />www.co.kittitas.wa.us <br />Kittitas County Homeless Assistance Act Committee <br />Vision <br />An informed and active citizenry engaged in shared goals and activities to end <br />homelessness in Kittitas County. <br /> <br />Mission <br />The mission of the Kittitas County Homeless Committee is to develop, prioritize, <br />implement, evaluate and recommend strategies to the Board of County Commissioners to <br />reduce and prevent homelessness and associated risks to the citizens of Kittitas County <br />by: <br />• Encouraging the coordination of services between agencies that serve the <br />homeless community; <br />• Working in partnership with community social and health service organizations, <br />businesses, and the faith community throughout Kittitas County; <br />• Increasing public awareness of issues of homelessness; <br />• Impacting public policy; <br />• Recommending the distribution of 2163 funds in appropriate ways to support the <br />continued reduction and prevention of homelessness in Kittitas County. <br />Operating Principles <br />Kittitas County has experienced record growth in recent years and it appears that this <br />growth will be on going for years to come. Although this growth will bring prosperity to <br />many in the County, it will also bring increasing housing prices and land values. As a <br />result many people will have difficulty finding affordable housing. Homelessness has <br />many causes: lack of affordable housing, mental health problems, substance abuse, job <br />loss or lack of employment opportunities, and sudden changes in family structure are <br />some of the reasons that people find themselves without adequate shelter. It is clear that <br />homelessness cannot be eradicated at present, but it can be significantly reduced. SHB <br />2163, the Homelessness, Housing and Assistance Act, sets aside funds and imposes a <br />mandate on Washington Counties to plan to reduce homelessness by 50% by the year <br />2015. <br /> <br />The Committee is guided by seven principles: <br />¾ We will address all homeless populations throughout our county. <br />¾ We will create strategies that fit our local communities’ needs and <br />priorities.