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them severely cost-burdened. This mismatch <br />between wages and housing costs remains <br />one of the central drivers of local housing <br />instability. <br />At the same time, the supply of housing, <br />especially for very low-income households, <br />has not kept pace with demand. The <br />Washington State Department of Commerce <br />estimates that Kitlitas County will need more <br />than 2,000 additional housing units by 2044 <br />to meet projected demand. With rental <br />vacancy rates extremely low, those seeking <br />housing often face long waitlists or no <br />available options. <br />Kiltitas County: Cumulstive % Chonge <br />(2077-2023) <br />Median Rent Median lncome <br />6096 <br />509t <br />ab0 4046c <br />G-r'.J 3006 <br />2gh <br />0% <br />Behavioral health and substance use also play a significant role. Local focus groups and service providers consistently <br />point to untreated mental health conditions and substance use as common factors leading to homelessness. ln a <br />rural county like Kittitas, access to outpatient care, detox, and supportive housing services is lim ited, making recovery <br />and housing stabilization harder to achieve. <br />Other barriers further compound these challenges. Community members and service providers alike cited <br />transportation, lack of documentation, and stigma as key obstacles preventing people from accessing the help they <br />need. Focus group participants specifically noted that stigma and judgment often discourage individuals from seeking <br />assistance. <br />Even with these challenges, Kittitas County has developed a responsive network of crisis response and housing <br />services. These include emergency shelters, case-managed transitional housing, and rapid rehousing programs. <br />Services delivered by local organizations are coordinated through a centralized Coordinated Entry system that <br />prioritizes immediate access to services. <br />According to the Washington State Department of Commerce's Annual Expenditure Report, over S3.3 million <br />was invested in Kittitas County in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024 to support housing and homelessness programs. <br />These funds supported a broad range of services, including prevention, shelter operations, outreach, and rental <br />assistance. The scale of this investment illustrates both the need for and the impact of sustained funding to <br />support local efforts. For more details, reference Survey of Fund Sources in the appendices. <br />Projected Need: LookingAhead to 2045 <br />As part of its long-range planning, Washington State requires each county to estimate the number of permanent <br />supportive housing and emergency housing units needed to meet future demand. The Housing for All Planning Tool <br />(HAPT), developed by the Department of Commerce, translates homelessness trends, population projections, and <br />local conditions into actionable housing targets. <br />For Kittitas County, the HAPT estimates that by 2045, at least 509 units of permanent supportive housing and 119 <br />units of emergency housing will be needed. These projections provide a data-informed basis for setting capital <br />investment goals, shaping program development, and guiding policy decisions. lncluding them here ensures that <br />local strategies remain grounded in projected need and support coordinated regional and state-level planning. <br />Page | 8