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Kittitas County, Washington BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS District One District Two District Three Linda Huber Alan Crankovich Mark McClain KITTITAS COUNTY COURTHOUSE · 205 WEST 5th , SUITE 108 · ELLENSBURG, WA 98926 (509) 962-7508 · FAX (509) 962-7679 www.co.kittitas.wa.us Definitions "Homeless person" means an individual living outside or in a building not meant for human habitation or which they have no legal right to occupy, in an emergency shelter, or in a temporary housing program which may include a transitional and supportive housing program if habitation time limits exist. This definition includes substance abusers, mentally ill people, and sex offenders who are homeless. While this definition from Washington State is embraced by this committee, there is recognition that many homeless persons “couch surf” and many who lose their homes to foreclosures, job loss, etc. frequently move in with relatives for a period of time. This Committee believes that efforts to address the issues facing a broader range of homeless persons in Kittitas County are essential if we are to prevent homelessness and since we have made prevention of homelessness a focus of our plan. Permissible Uses Under the Law 1. Rental and furnishing of dwelling units for the use of homeless persons; 2. Costs of developing affordable housing for homeless persons, and services for formerly homeless individuals and families residing in transitional housing or permanent housing and still at risk of homelessness; 3. Operating subsidies for transitional housing or permanent housing serving formerly homeless families or individuals; 4. Services to prevent homelessness, such as emergency eviction prevention programs including temporary rental subsidies to prevent homelessness; 5. Temporary services to assist persons leaving state institutions and other state programs to prevent them from becoming or remaining homeless; 6. Outreach services for homeless individuals and families; 7. Development and management of local homeless plans including homeless census data collection; identification of goals, performance measures, strategies, and costs and evaluation of progress towards established goals; 8. Rental vouchers payable to landlords for persons who are homeless or below thirty percent of the median income or in immediate danger of becoming homeless; and 9. Other activities to reduce and prevent homelessness as identified for funding in the local plan.