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goal is to end homelessness, not to prescribe one standard pathway, but to ensure that individuals and families can access housing that supports their stability and meets their needs. Recognizing the constraints of the local housing market and the varied needs of higher-barrier individuals, the community will pursue creative, person-centered approaches. This includes advancing policies that enable more flexible housing options, supporting individuals who choose non-traditional forms of stability, and mitigating the public and financial impacts when individuals decline traditional housing offers. This focus on flexible,affordable housing options supports key objectives found in the Comprehensive Plans of Kittitas County, Cle Elum, Ellensburg, and Roslyn, all of which call for expanded housing opportunities across income levels and for populations with special needs. • The county will pursue this goal through the following strategies: • Increase the supply and availability of permanent housing options, including both traditional and non- traditional models,to reflect the diverse needs of individuals and families. • Expand access to rental assistance programs and supportive services that help individuals secure and maintain stable housing. • Advance policy coordination and advocacy to promote flexible housing solutions, reduce barriers to development,and support innovative housing approaches that meet local needs. Measuring success Success will be measured by reductions in the number of unhoused individuals, increased exits to permanent housing,and completion of all affordable housing projects that are currently funded and in progress during the five- year plan period.The county will also track housing stability outcomes, recognizing that stability may look different for different individuals,and that supporting appropriate,sustainable housing options is the core measure of success. Addressing Challenges Community engagement through surveys, focus groups, and direct feedback identified persistent challenges that must be addressed to build a more responsive and effective homeless response system in Kittitas County.Addressing them directly will help advance this plan's vision of ensuring that all residents have access to stable housing and the individualized support they need to thrive,consistent with the plan's guiding principles of client-centered care,access for all,collaboration, and accountability. Reducing Reluctance to Participate Stigma, trauma, and mistrust of systems are well-established barriers to participation among people experiencing homelessness.Community input reinforced this reality,with many individuals citing fear of judgment,concerns about system involvement, or prior negative experiences as reasons for not seeking help. National best practices consistently emphasize that building trust and offering low-barrier,trauma-informed engagement are foundational to increasing participation (USICH, HUD). In alignment with these principles, Kittitas County is already expanding outreach efforts and improving frontline training to build trust and engagement (Goals 2 and 4). The forthcoming communications and educational toolkit (Goal 1) will further equip providers and community partners to present services clearly and respectfully. These efforts will help ensure that individuals feel safe and welcome when seeking assistance—supporting the plan's commitment to client-centered care and equitable access.