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. "...these are our neighbors...the majority are our community members...they are from here. ". "Asking peopte what they feel about hometessness won't hetp. lnstead ask what some possible answers are for bettering these individuals in the community.', Law EnforcementlLocal Government: Participants discussed the fottowing key messages. . What services are and aren't avaitabte ' The majority of people who are hometess in Kittitas County are from the county; only a smatl percentage are from out of the area. The shelter has to go somewhere ' Not addressing the issue won't make it go away. lt is more costly to dealwith peopte who are unhoused (taw enforcement). Communicate the success of the behavioral heatth court ' Debunk negative stereotypes, it's often situational instead of due to the individuat Methods for distribution of messages discussed were sociaI media through ad campaigns, repetition, and persuasive messaging; community group presentations (i.e. Rotary, churches, etc.), and presenting the homeless ptan to the community via the county commissioners and city councit. . "l think there's a perception that they're being bussed in here or they see there's a cold weather shelter, so they come here. Of the numbers, that's a very smatl percentage- peopte coming just for the services in the county. ". "...1 think most people in the county want to have that emergency housing, like a steep center, they just don't want it next to them. How do you make them understand, it has to go somewhere? Not everyone witt be happy.". "There's a perception that if we don't have anything availabte, the problem witt go away." Community lylembers: Key messages discussed were: . lt's not going to go away even if you don't support. Not necessarity their fautt (mental heatth, unable to work) ' Many peopte are 1 paycheck away. Peopte experiencing hometessness are our neighbors, they are not scary Methods for distributing messages inctuded professionaI presentation of messages through a pubtic affairs person, presenting at committees, encouraging votunteerism and involvement with community service, and sharing personal experiences. . "They're not nearty as scary as the media woutd have us think. They are just people trying to get by. ln my experience, the vast majority are people who are kind and generally good neighbors. ". "On an individual level, it's about catling out disinformation and correcting...and being botd in doing so." Central Washington University: Key messages shared were: . These are human beings who have been through some trauma and being hometess exacerbates that trauma. Education about who the hometess are in this community and what their actual needs are, versus perceived needs. lt could happen to you, it could happen to anyone f, 16