Homelessness Prevention and Reduction Plan

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Adopted by the Board of County Commissioners February 3, 2009 17 · Need ability to get medication for people not on Medicaid. · Need staff to provide case management and advocacy for homeless, especially for those without legal status. · Need long term case management. Housing · Need transitional housing for all homeless, especially persons released from jail or treatment programs · Need increased cooperation with local motels to provide temporary emergency shelter. · Need stable living situation in inexpensive decent housing, either through low rent, subsidized, or home ownership opportunities. Agency Operations · Need to define homeless. · Need better system to count and track homeless. Numbers are under reported right now. · Need stable funding to provide consistent services and staff · Need to provide services outside of normal work hours · Need to improve referral system between churches and local agencies Food · Need expanded hours and facilities at food banks to make distributions during the evenings and weekends. · Need to reinstate gleaning programs. · Need nutrition education and hunger prevention. Resources The following resources were identified through conversations and data collection about homelessness in Kittitas County. This list of resources should be used to inform a comprehensive homelessness plan, also taking into consideration gaps in service (see above). Crisis Services · Emergency shelter · Motel vouchers · Grocery vouchers · Bus tickets · Basic supplies: clothing, food, toiletry items, sleeping bags Case Management / Advocacy · Case management, counseling, legal advocacy, medical advocacy, and support groups (especially for women/children, families, domestic violence victims, crime victims) · Information, referrals, and prevention education · Outpatient chemical dependency services for low income and medical coupon clients