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Executive Summary <br />The Kittitas County 2O25-2O3A Homeless Housing Plan provides a coordinated roadmap for addressing <br />homelessness and housing instability over the next five years. Grounded in local data, community input, <br />and best practices, the plan outlines shared goals and strategies to ensure that all residents of Kittitas <br />County have access to housing that meets their needs, and the individualized support required to maintain <br />stability. <br />Homelessness is a complex challenge. lt affects individuals, families, and entire communities. Addressing <br />it requires clear priorities, collaboration, and a sustained commitment to measurable progress. This plan <br />sets that direction. <br />Key goats <br />o Promote an equitable, transparent, and accountable homeless response system. <br />r Strengthen the homeless service provider workforce. <br />r Prevent episodes of homelessness whenever possible. <br />o Prioritize assistance based on the greatest barriers to housing stability and risk of harm <br />. Seek to house everyone in a stable setfing that meets their needs. <br />Key priorities <br />. Expand the supply of affordable and supportive housing. <br />o Strengthen partnerships across sectors. <br />. lmprove access to behavioral health services. <br />r Enhance prevention, diversion, and outreach efforts. <br />o Build community awareness and foster public support. <br />These priorities align with and reinforce the goals of the Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan, particularly <br />the commitment to affordable housing, inclusive growth, and coordinated health and human services. <br />Current context <br />Housing costs in Kittitas County continue to rise fasterthan income, placing severe strain on low-income <br />households. The Housing for All Planning Tool (HAPT) projects a need for approximately 1,351 new housing <br />units over the next five years, with the greatest demand among extremely low- and very low-income <br />households. <br />|,n2024, the Point-in-Time (PlT)Count identified gl people experiencing homelessness in Kittitas County. <br />By 2O25, that number dropped to 26, largely due to increased housing placements and limited outreach <br />during the count period. These shifts demonstrate how homelessness is shaped by both local conditions <br />and the way data is collected, underscoring the importance of coordinated and responsive strategies. <br />Page | 3