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To ensure that local efforts align with long-term housing needs,Washington State requires each county to estimate how many units of permanent supportive housing (PSH') and emergency housing'will be needed over time.These estimates generated using the state's Housing for All Planning Tool (HAPT), help translate population growth, homelessness trends, and local housing gaps into concrete targets. For Kittitas County,the HAPT projects a need for at least 509 units of PSH and 119 units of emergency housing by 2045. These figures provide a data-informed foundation for planning capital projects, setting program priorities, and making policy decisions. Including them in this plan ensures that local strategies remain grounded in projected need and support coordinated investment across the region. State and Federal Trends Homelessness in Washington State continues to rise, with the 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count reporting 31,554 individuals experiencing homelessness—a 12.5%increase from 28,036 in 2023.This positions Washington as having the third-highest homeless population in the U.S.,following California and New York. Notably,chronic homelessness surged by 56%between 2023 and 2024, accounting for nearly half of the state's homeless population. In contrast, Kittitas County reported 91 individuals experiencing homelessness in the 2024 PIT Count, with approximately 65 sheltered and 26 unsheltered. While the county's numbers are lower, the challenges mirror statewide trends,including rising housing costs and limited access to behavioral health services(ellensburgwa.gov). The Washington State Homeless Housing Strategic Plan (2024-2029)outlines five key objectives: • Promoting equity,transparency, and accountability • Strengthening the homeless service provider workforce • Preventing episodes of homelessness whenever possible • Prioritizing people with the greatest barriers to housing • Ensuring everyone has access to housing that meets their needs. At the federal level,the U.S.Interagency Council on Homelessness(USICH)leads implementation ofAllln:The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, released in 2022. The plan sets a goal to reduce homelessness by 25%by 2025.The All Ini plan has laid a solid foundation, but national progress has been slow. For rural counties like Kittitas,those who are closely aligned with federal and state goals are better positioned to make progress and access future federal and state support. Federal agencies (including HUD, HHS, VA, and others) are aligning funding and policy to support Housing First, permanent supportive housing, prevention programs,and street outreach. Nationally,the 2023 PIT Count identified 653,104 people experiencing homelessness in the U.S.—a record high,with a 12%increase from the previous year. 'Permanent Supportive Housing(PSH):Long-term affordable housing with optional support services for people with chronic homelessness or high housing barriers. z Emergency Housing:Short-term housing with minimal barriers,designed to provide immediate shelter for people experiencing homelessness while they seek permanent housing.