HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/14/2026 09.B. Discussion of Yakima County's Intent to Award 2026 Homeless Housing Assistance Grants - Commissioner Kyle Curtis r 'V
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 9.B.
For Meeting of: July 14, 2026
ITEM TITLE: Discussion of Yakima County's Intent to Award 2026 Homeless
Housing Assistance Grants - Commissioner Kyle Curtis
SUBMITTED BY: Gary Bellew, Assistant City Manager
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
At their July 7, 2026, Yakima City Council invited Commissioner Kyle Curtis to Council's next meeting to
discuss Yakima County's Intent to Award 2026 Homeless Housing Assistance Grants. The $13 Million in
homeless grants are directed by the Commissioner's via Resolution. County staff then contracts with the
various organizations based on the Intent to Award.
Council raised concerns regarding a reduction in funding to Grace City Outreach (Camp Hope) and the
potential impact to homelessness in the City of Yakima. Council's adopted Strategic Plan calls out
reducing the number of homeless living in city streets to foster a safe and healthy Yakima.
ITEM BUDGETED: N/A
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 24-25: A Safe and Healthy Yakima
RECOMMENDATION: None
ATTACHMENTS:
6.30.26 Media Release - HHAP.pdf
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BOARD OF YAKIMA COUNTY
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MEDIA RELEASE
Board of Yakima County Commissioners Announces Intent to
Award 2026 Homeless Housing Assistance Grants
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday,June 30, 2026
Contacts: LaDon Linde, Chair Amanda McKinney, Commissioner
509-574-1500 509-424-0043
Kyle Curtis, Commissioner Lance Larsen, Interim Human Services Director
509-654-0582 509-574-1315
YAKIMA,WA —June 30, 2026 —The Board of Yakima County Commissioners (BOCC) on Tuesday
adopted Resolution 170-2026 that allocated approximately$13 million in local and state funding towards
homeless housing assistance grants over the next two years. Programs were awarded through a
competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process that launched April 3, 2026.
The funding allocations support the implementation of the Yakima County Five-Year Strategic Plan to
Address Homelessness and represent one of the largest coordinated investments in the local homeless
response system.
Yakima County received a record-breaking 41 applications requesting more than$34 million in funding,
far exceeding the $13 million available for allocation.
"The demand for services continues to outpace available resources," said the Board of County
Commissioners. "These were difficult decisions involving many strong proposals and dedicated
organizations serving our community."
Over the past month, Commissioners conducted multiple public meetings to review applications, discuss
funding priorities, and deliberate on proposed program allocations.Throughout the process,
Commissioners considered recommendations and feedback generated through the County's established
competitive funding framework which included scores and comments from the Competitive Process
Scoring Committee (CPSC) consisting of elected, public safety, business, and community leaders.
The adopted allocations reflect priorities identified through the County's year-long strategic planning
process,which involved stakeholders from across 79 unique agencies/departments and over five
community listening sessions.
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Categories Announced with the Intent to Award:
Category descriptions provided in Attachment B
period starting July 1,2026,and ending June 30,2027*
period starting July 1,2026,and ending June 30,2028**
In the category of Coordinated Entry/Outreach:
• Yakima Valley Pet Rescue-$10,000*
• Yakama Nation -$75,000*
• Grace City Outreach (Camp Hope) -$150,000**
• Yakima Neighborhood Health Services-$200,000**
• Rod's House-$250,000**
In the category of Rapid Rehousing:
• Rod's House$230,000**
• Yakima Valley Farmworkers Clinic$300,000**
• Catholic Charities$346,296**
• Yakima Neighborhood Health Services$400,000**
In the category of Emergency Shelter:
• Yakima Neighborhood Health Services will be awarded $45,000*
• Triumph Treatment Services will be awarded $100,000*
• The Lighthouse will be awarded $100,686**
• Rod's House will be awarded $180,000*
• Yakama Nation will be awarded $380,000**
• YWCA Yakima will be awarded $700,000**
• Union Gospel Mission of Yakima will be awarded $1,274,000**
In the category of Sanctioned/Temporary Encampment:
• Grace City Outreach (Camp Hope)will be awarded $129,831*
In the category of Transitional Housing:
• Triumph Treatment Services will be awarded $507,468**
In the category of Feasibility Study:
• Justice Housing Yakima will be awarded $21,000*
In the category of Capital Projects:
• Trouves St. Elizabeth's Inc.will be awarded $822,081*
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In the category of Flexible Funding:
• Yakima Valley Farmworkers Clinic will be awarded 50,000*
• Yakima Neighborhood Health Services will be awarded $100,000*
In the category of Permanent Supportive Housing:
• Justice Housing Yakima will be awarded $517,174**
• Yakima Neighborhood Health Services will be awarded $700,000**
In the category of Eviction Prevention:
• United Way Central Washington will be awarded $250,000**
• Yakima Valley Farmworkers Clinic will be awarded $1,158,036**
• Yakima Neighborhood Health Services will be awarded $1,158,036**
In the category of Housing and Essential Needs:
• Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic will be awarded $1,400,000**
• Yakima Neighborhood Health Services will be awarded $1,542,000**
Commissioners noted that Yakima County's homeless response system relies heavily on state funding.
More than 70 percent of local homeless housing and assistance funding originates from the Washington
State Department of Commerce through appropriations made by the Washington State Legislature.
Commissioners also acknowledged the challenging fiscal environment facing Washington State, including
the state's projected budget deficit and Governor Bob Ferguson's recent directive requiring many state
agencies to prepare for approximately 14 percent budget reductions.
Considering these fiscal realities, nearly all previously funded programs experienced funding reductions,
while several new funding requests were unable to be accommodated. State funds are governed by state
requirements and thus certain activities/programs are ineligible for funding.
The Board emphasized that the adopted funding plan seeks to balance immediate community needs
with long-term system improvements while remaining aligned with the goals and strategies outlined in
the Yakima County Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness.
Community members interested in learning more and getting involved are invited to attend the Yakima
County Homeless Coalition Executive Committee meetings.The next meeting will be Tuesday, August 18,
from 1:30 to 3:00 PM.
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The Board of Yakima County Commissioners provided the following quotes:
Commissioner Amanda McKinney, District 1:
"The Washington State Legislature and both the most recent former and current Governors have
embraced programs and policies that do more to perpetuate and exacerbate the root causes of
homelessness, addiction and untreated mental health disorders, than solve them. The result is billions in
tax-payer dollars wasted and a population utilizing these ever-expanding programs that continues to
grow, not shrink.
My highest consideration has always been to seek ways for Yakima County to require transparency and
data collection from our stakeholders to ensure accountability to the public for how their dollars are
spent. While I do not agree with every aspect of the 5-year plan, it was created and informed by dozens
of community members representing businesses, property owners, medical providers, law enforcement,
concerned community members at large and elected officials from across Yakima County. lam deeply
grateful for their dedication and devotion to being an active part of seeking solutions. The providers and
programs selected by the Commissioners represent a consensus of those best matched to the actionable
steps identified in the 5-year plan. They will be measured so that future Boards can make even more
informed decisions.
I pray for measurable and meaningful success for each recipient of these services,for our providers and
for the health and safety of our community. I also pray for a significant shift in statewide approaches that
local communities can utilize to address this most serious issue."
Commissioner Kyle Curtis, District 2:
"Every dollar invested into our homeless response system must be strategic, purposeful, and directly
connected to what our community has asked for. The allocations determined by this Board allow our local
homeless response system to shift towards what the community identified during the year-long process
to update the Strategic Plan Addressing Homelessness. The community asked for a more coordinated
response system, cleaner streets, and solutions that meet people's needs, including treatment programs.
The funding we've allocated attempts to do just that."
Commissioner La Don Linde, District 3:
"We had some very difficult choices to make, but feel that we are going in the right direction by bringing
services to people that will help solve the homeless problems throughout Yakima County, including the
Lower Valley. It's about getting people off the streets, but it's also about helping as many as possible
become self-reliant, productive community members again."
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About Yakima County Human Services
Yakima County Human Services serves as the lead agency for homeless housing planning and funding
coordination throughout Yakima County.The department works alongside community partners, local
governments, nonprofit organizations, and the Yakima County Homeless Coalition to advance strategies
that improve housing stability, reduce homelessness, and strengthen community well-being.
About the Yakima County Five-Year Strategic Homeless Housing Plan
Focus areas and objectives provided in Attachment A
In 2025 Yakima County led a year-long strategic planning process involving over 120 different
stakeholders from across 79 unique agencies and departments to create the next 5-Year Homeless
Housing Strategic Plan. Engagement was targeted across 10 key stakeholder sectors: Behavioral Health,
Community, Education, For-Profit Business, Government, Healthcare/Public Health, Homeless Services,
Housing Developers, Lived Experience, and Public Safety.This plan was adopted through Resolution 056-
2025 by the Board of Yakima County Commissioners and is required to access WA State Commerce
dollars.You can read the full strategic plan as well as view quarterly updated by visiting:
https://www.yakimacounty.us/3032/Five-Year-Homeless-Housing-Strategic-Pla
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Attachment A - Yakima County Homeless Housing Strategic
Plan Focus Areas and Objectives
Focus Areas
The Yakima County Five-Year Homeless Housing Strategic Plan has eight Objectives,grouped into four
Focus Areas:
Eli
Focus Area 1: Focus Area 2: Focus Area 4:
System Prevention and Focus Area 3: Community
Improvement Early Accessibility Impact and
and Intervention and Housing Engagement
Accountability
gni -
Objective 1: Objective 5: Objective 7:
Promote an Objective 3: Prioritize those Reducing stigma
equitable, Prevent episodes with the most by increasing
accountable,and of homelessness significant barriers awareness,
transparent whenever to housing challenging
homeless crisis possible. stability and the stereotypes,and
response system. greatest risk of changing
harm. Language.
Objective 8:
Objective 2: Objective 4: Objective 6:Seek Balance outreach
Strengthen the Increase income to house everyone strategies with
homeless service opportunities for in a stable setting public space
provider tow-income that meets their stewardship and
workforce. households. needs. safety to reduce
homelessness in
critical areas.
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Attachment B- Category Descriptions
Coordinated Entry The Coordinated Entry (CE) system is the centralized access point for
(CE)/Outreach individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Yakima County,
ensuring equitable, prioritized access to housing and services through
standardized assessment, referral, and coordination.
The County seeks providers to operate and expand low-barrier CE
access points integrated with outreach, emergency shelters, sanctioned
encampments, and community-based services.
Awardees will participate in a shared referral support function to assist
with housing applications, documentation, and referral tracking across
providers, ensuring accuracy,timeliness, and reduced system barriers.
Awardees are required to actively participate in weekly By-Name List
(BNL) case conferencing, prioritizing individuals and families within the
top 15%of vulnerability(e.g., HENA/YAHA),to coordinate referrals,
address barriers, and align cross-system partners.
Awardees will also support individuals within the top 1%of highest
acuity and multi-system involvement through enhanced, client-specific
case conferencing, including multi-disciplinary coordination and
individualized stabilization planning. *Medical providers are strongly
encouraged to apply even if just for this area of CE.
All activities must include timely HMIS data entry, adherence to CE
policies and prioritization standards, and strong collaboration across
housing, behavioral health, and community partners to improve system
outcomes.
Applicants must designate a C-suite or executive-level representative to
participate in the CE Policy Team, meeting monthly in FY27, with an
intention to transition to quarterly meetings in FY28.
Rental Assistance/Rapid Quickly moving households from homelessness into
Rehousing(RA/RRH) permanent housing by engaging people experiencing
homelessness who are otherwise not accessing services for
the purpose of connecting them with emergency shelter,
housing, or other critical services.
Housing& Essential Needs Providing access to essential needs items and potential rental
(HEN) assistance for low-income individuals who are unable to work for at
least 90 days due to a physical and/or mental incapacity. Households
must be HEN Certified in the Benefits Verification System (BVS)with
DSHS in order to qualify, and agencies must have BVS access before
distributing HEN funds.
Permanent Supportive Providing subsidized, non-time-limited housing with support services
Housing for Chronically for households experiencing chronic homelessness that include a
Homeless Families(PSH household member with a permanent disability. Support services must
CHF) be made available, but participation is voluntary. Households must be
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Chronically Homeless Families where the head of household is
chronically homeless with a permanent disability in order to qualify.
Emergency Shelter Shelters provide short-term temporary shelter (lodging) and associated
Subtypes: services (e.g.food, case management)for those experiencing
• Drop-In Shelter homelessness. Although clients are not required to be exited on a
• Continuous-Stay timeline, programs are typically designed and intended to provide
Shelter
• Domestic Violence temporary shelter for short-term stays: up to 90 days.
Shelter Drop-In Shelter Providing night-by-night living arrangements that allow households to enter and
• Youth and Young Adult exit on an irregular or daily basis.
Shelter Continuous-Stay Shelter Providing living arrangements where households have a room or
• Extreme Weather bed assigned to them throughout the duration of their stay.
Shelter Domestic Violence Shelter Providing short-term temporary shelter specifically and exclusively for
those fleeing domestic violence.
Youth and Young Adult Shelter Providing short-term temporary shelter specifically and
exclusively for Youth and Young Adults(YYA).
Extreme Weather Shelter Providing short-term temporary shelter on an ad hoc basis in
response to extreme weather incidents or temperatures.Expanding the bed capacity of
the local shelter system to accommodate a potential influx of households seeking
shelter due to extreme conditions.
All shelters types should apply under emergency shelter and indicate
shelter subtype in the application.
All Emergency Shelter projects must operate as low barrier.
Sanctioned Encampment Sanctioned Encampments are similar to drop-in Emergency Shelter,
differentiated by the fact that beds and services are provided at a
facility or campus that does not meet the minimum infrastructural
standards to be considered a shelter facility (e.g. sleeping facilities
provided in tents instead of buildings). Sanctioned Encampment
projects are not eligible for CHG funds and are limited to applying only
for 2163.
All Sanctioned Encampment projects must operate as low barrier.
Eviction Prevention Helping households who are at risk of homelessness to maintain or
obtain stable housing and avoid homelessness. Services include
housing-focused case management and temporary rent subsidies.
Households must be at risk of homelessness and at or below 80%of the
Area Median Income in order to qualify.
By/For By and For organizations are operated by and for the community they
serve.Their primary mission and history is serving a specific community
and they are culturally based, directed, and substantially controlled by
individuals from the population they serve.At the core of their
programs,the organizations embody the community's central cultural
values.These communities may include ethnic and racial minorities;
immigrants and refugees; individuals who identify as LGBTQ+;
individuals with disabilities or who are deaf; and/or Native Americans.
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Flexible Funding Flexible funding is meant to creatively address potential triggers for
homelessness (e.g.fixing a vehicle to help keep a job to maintain
income to prevent eviction). Interventions must demonstrably stabilize
clients in a way that supports long-term prevention of homelessness.
Capital Project/Feasibility A capital project is a project to construct either new facilities or make
Study for Capital Project significant, long-term renewal improvements to existing facilities.
Prioritization will be given to projects that establish year-round shelters
on the Yakama Nation Reservation, in Toppenish, or in Sunnyside;
projects that improve access to homeless services outside the City of
Yakima; or Permanent Supportive Housing units anywhere in the
County.
Transitional Housing with Transitional Housing (TH) provides temporary housing with supportive
Employment Supports services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness with the
goal of interim stability and support to successfully move to and
maintain permanent housing.TH projects can cover housing costs and
accompanying supportive services for program participants for up to 24
months.
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