Homelessness in Washington 2023 Annual Report — Housing Division, Report to the Legislature (March 2024)
Summary
Homelessness in Washington 2023, an annual report to the Legislature from the Housing Division of the Washington State Department of Commerce, dated March 2024, prepared to meet requirements in RCW 43.185C. The executive summary states that the Snapshot of Homelessness in Washington showed a 9% increase in homelessness from January 2022 to January 2023. It reports that the January 2023 Point in Time Count showed a 12% growth in sheltered homelessness and that unsheltered homelessness increased 21%, excluding King County, which did not conduct an unsheltered count in 2023.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
Cite this document
“Homelessness in Washington 2023 Annual Report — Housing Division, Report to the Legislature (March 2024).”
Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2024-commercereports-2023-hd-homelessness-in-washington-24def55e-7087-f0243213e0/
, SHA-256 220726e6f5ed049d69f90246baa2ae94af2767f0ac963a8bfcbd97f999554c05.Full text
Homelessness in
Washington
2023 annual report to meet requirements in RCW 43.185C
March 2024
HOUSING DIVISION Report to the Legislature
Director Mike Fong
V3.4
Acknowledgments
Washington State Department of Commerce
Corina Grigoras, Assistant Director,
Housing Division
Tedd Kelleher, Housing Policy Director,
Housing Division
Kathy Kinard, Managing Director,
Homelessness Assistance Unit
Oliver Crain, Deputy Managing Director,
Homelessness Assistance Unit
Nick Mondau, Balance of State Continuum of Care
Manager, Homelessness Assistance Unit
Kim Justice, Executive Director,
Office of Homeless Youth
Emily Burgess, Managing Director,
Data and Performance Unit
Talia Scott, Homeless Management Information
System Manager, Data and Performance Unit
Graham Parrington, Senior Policy Analyst, Housing
Policy and Strategic Initiatives Unit
Washington State Department of Commerce
1011 Plum St. SE
P.O. Box 42525
Olympia, WA 98504-2525
www.commerce.wa.gov
For people with disabilities, this report is available
on request in other formats. To submit a request,
please call 360-725-4000 (TTY 360-586-0772)
Homelessness in Washington
state
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON STATE 2023
Table of contents
Executive summary .........................................................................................................................................4
Assessing the current conditions of homelessness .........................................................................................7
Challenges to reducing homelessness ..........................................................................................................11
Homeless system performance.....................................................................................................................13
State plan accomplishments .........................................................................................................................15
Planning, reporting, auditing and procuring ...................................................................................................24
Organizational outline ...................................................................................................................................26
Homeless housing project expenditure and data report.................................................................................29
State-funded homeless housing reports .......................................................................................................30
Point-in-Time Count .....................................................................................................................................31
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 3
Executive summary
Overview
This annual report complements the State of Washington Homeless Housing Crisis Response System
Strategic Plan 2019-2024, which was updated in 2019. It fulfills reporting requirements outlined in several
Homeless Housing and Assistance Act chapters, including RCW 43.185C.010, 040, 045, 170, 340, and RCW
43.63A.305 and 311.
Highlights
The Snapshot of Homelessness in Washington showed a 9% increase in homelessness from January
2022 to January 2023.
The January 2023 Point in Time Count (which employs a less consistent methodology than the
Snapshot) showed a 12% growth in sheltered homelessness. Unsheltered homelessness increased 21%,
excluding King County, which did not conduct an unsheltered count in 2023.
State and local governments have increased investments in housing acquisition and capital investments.
Housing prices have increased significantly,1 and rental costs continue to be out of reach for many.
Temporary federal assistance has been essential in the COVID-19 response, but there are concerns
about the contraction of funding once these fund sources are spent in September 2023.
Services supporting homeless youth have expanded to address gaps in need. More work is needed to
address available housing and shelter options.
Commerce is identifying innovative ways to measure and address racial and ethnic disparities in
homeless services.
1 Washington Center for Real Estate Research, City House Price Data
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 4
Annual statutory reporting requirements
Table 1: Guide to annual reporting requirements in this report
Subsection Excerpted reporting requirements Location in report
RCW 43.185C.045: Homeless housing strategic plan—Annual report of department and local governments.
Assessing the current conditions of
"An assessment of the current condition of homelessness in Washington state
homelessness, Homeless system
(1)(a) and the state's performance in meeting the goals in the state homeless housing
performance, State plan
strategic plan;"
accomplishments
"A report on the results of the annual homeless point-in-time census conducted
(1)(b) Point-in-Time count
statewide under RCW 43.185C.030;"
"The amount of federal, state, local, and private funds
spent on homelessness assistance, categorized by funding
source and the following major assistance types:
(i) Emergency shelter;
(ii) Homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing; Homeless housing project
(1)(c) (iii) Permanent housing; expenditure and data report -
(iv) Permanent supportive housing; GOLDEN
(v) Transitional housing;
(vi) Services only; and
(vii) Any other activity in which more than five hundred
thousand dollars of category funds were expended;"
"A report on the expenditures, performance, and outcomes of state funds
distributed through the consolidated homeless grant program, including the grant State-funded homeless housing
(1)(d)
recipient, award amount expended, use of the funds, counties served, and reports
households served;"
"A report on state and local homelessness document recording fee expenditure
by county, including the total amount of fee spending, percentage of total
Homeless housing project
(1)(e) spending from fees, number of people served by major assistance type, and
expenditure and data report
amount of expenditures for private rental housing payments required in RCW
36.22.179;"
"(f) A report on the expenditures, performance, and outcomes of the essential
needs and housing support program meeting the requirements of RCW
(1)(f) and State-funded homeless housing
43.185C.220; and
(g) reports
(g) A report on the expenditures, performance, and outcomes of the independent
youth housing program meeting the requirements of RCW 43.63A.311;"
"…the department must produce and post information on the local government's
homelessness spending from all sources by project during the prior state fiscal Homeless housing project
(3)
year in a format similar to the department's report under subsection (1)(c) of this expenditure and data report
section."
"Any local government receiving state funds for homelessness assistance or
state or local homelessness document recording fees under RCW 36.22.178, Planning, reporting, auditing and
(3)
36.22.179, or 36.22.1791 must provide an annual report on the current condition procuring
of homelessness in its jurisdiction…"
RCW 43.185C.170: Interagency council on homelessness—Duties—Reports.
"The interagency council on homelessness, as defined in RCW 43.185C.010 ...
Planning, reporting, auditing and
(1) shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature annually by
procuring
December 31st on its activities."
RCW 43.185C.220: Essential needs and housing support program—Distribution of funds.
"In collaboration with the department of social and health services, submit a
State-funded homeless housing
(7)(c) report annually to the relevant policy and fiscal committees of the legislature. A
reports
preliminary report shall be submitted by December 31, 2011, and must include
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 5
Subsection Excerpted reporting requirements Location in report
(c)(i), (iii), and (v) of this subsection. Annual reports must be submitted beginning
December 1, 2012, and must include:
(i) A description of the actions the department has taken to achieve the
objectives of chapter 36, Laws of 2011 1st sp. sess.;
(ii) The amount of funds used by the department to administer the program;
(iii) Information on the housing status of essential needs and housing support
recipients served by housing support entities, and individuals who have requested
housing support but did not receive housing support;
(iv) Grantee expenditure data related to administration and services provided
under this section; and
(v) Efforts made to partner with other entities and leverage sources or public and
private funds;"
RCW 43.185C.340: Students experiencing homelessness—Grant program to link families with housing—Program goals—Grant
process—Requirements—Grantees report to the department.
"(a) Grantee organizations must compile and report information to the
department. The department shall report to the legislature the findings of the
grantee, the housing stability of the homeless families, and any related policy
recommendations.
(b) Grantees must track and report on the following measures including, but not
limited to:
(i) Length of time enrolled in the grant program; State-funded homeless housing
(8)
(ii) Housing destination at program exit; reports
(iii) Type of residence prior to enrollment in the grant program; and
(iv) Number of times homeless in the past three years.
(c) Grantees must also include in their reports a narrative description discussing
its partnership with school districts as set forth in the memorandum outlined in
subsection (4) of this section. Reports must also include the kinds of supports
grantees are providing students and families to support academic learning."
RCW 43.63A.311: Independent youth housing program—Subcontractor organization performance review and report.
"The independent youth housing program report must include, at a minimum, an
update on the following program performance measures, as well as any other
performance measures the department may establish, for enrolled youth in
consultation with the department of social and health services, to be measured
(2)(a) statewide and by county: State-funded homeless housing
through (f) (a) Increases in housing stability; reports
(b) Increases in economic self-sufficiency;
(c) Increases in independent living skills;
(d) Increases in education and job training attainment;
(e) Decreases in the use of all state-funded services over time;"
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 6
Assessing the current conditions of homelessness
Available evidence points toward homelessness increasing in the past year in Washington and the United
States in general.2 Rents have increased, and vacancy rates remain low, factors strongly associated with
increases in homelessness.3 Additional housing price inflation from growing incomes has left people at the
margins, such as those on fixed incomes, less able to pay market rates.4
Recent significant increases in rent assistance and capital subsidies for affordable housing have helped many.
However, the scale of the long-term mismatch between incomes and rent levels continues, with only one in
four people eligible for rent assistance receiving any.5
For some people living outside, substance use disorder impedes their ability to secure and maintain housing.6
State and national post-COVID-19 deterioration in mental health has included an increase in substance use
disorder.7 Dramatic increases in drug overdose deaths in Washington point to growing problems with
substance use disorder that likely contribute to the increase in unsheltered homelessness.8 Increases in
funding for behavioral health treatment will help address the problem as facilities and trained staff are
deployed. However, at this point, there is not enough capacity to quickly move people into treatment when
requested.
Finally, apart from substance use disorder, many people living outside with severe and persistent behavioral
health problems lack the income and services necessary to stably move inside.9
Over time, the factors that contribute to homelessness ebb and flow. A system capable of keeping everyone
inside must be able to flex and adjust to address changes in employment, drug epidemics, family structures,
and other societal drivers of homelessness. After decades of stagnant employment, jobs are now as plentiful
as is likely possible, and the overall percentage of people employed is near historic highs.10 However, rental
prices are increasingly out of reach for people with lower incomes, and substance use disorder and other
behavioral health problems persist.11
Through experimentation and research over the past decade, more is known about how to successfully bring
people inside. When interventions are applied at the necessary intensity, they result in positive housing
2 Washington State Department of Commerce, "Snapshot of Homelessness Reports: January 2022 and January 2023," Annual Point in
Time Count, (September 2023), https://deptofcommerce.app.box.com/s/hnpkedlkifogzx8i892cu0k34nzsrbtp
3 Gregg Colburn and Clayton Page Aldern, "Homelessness is a Housing Problem," University of California Press, (2022), page 133
4 Washington State Department of Commerce, "Rents and Homelessness: A presentation to the Washington State Legislature House
committee on Housing, Human Services, and Veterans," (October 19, 2022)
5 Congressional Budget Office, Reduce Funding for the Housing Choice Voucher Program or Eliminate the Program, (December 18, 2018),
https://www.cbo.gov/budget-options/2018/54781
6 Stefan Gutwinski et al, "The prevalence of mental disorder among homeless people in high-income countries: An updated systematic
review and mete-regression analysis," PLOS Medicine, (August 18, 2021),
https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1003750
7 Natalia C. Chacon et al, "Substance use during COVID-19 pandemic: impact on the underserved communities," Discoveries (Craiova),
December 31, 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8896880/
8 Washington State Department of Health, Opioid and Drug Overdose Data, Washington Tracking Network, (July 25, 2023),
https://doh.wa.gov/data-and-statistical-reports/washington-tracking-network-wtn/opioids/overdose-dashboard
9 National Alliance to End Homelessness, Chronic Homelessness. Center for Evidence-based Solutions to Homelessness, (updated April
2018), http://www.evidenceonhomelessness.com/topic/chronic-homelessness/
10 Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Employment Rate: Aged 25-54: All Persons for United States, FRED Economic Data, St. Louis Fed,
(updated September 12 2023), https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/LREM25TTUSM156S
11 U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, Table B25057: Lower Contract Rent Quartile (Dollars), (2022),
https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDT1Y2022.B25057?tid=ACSDT1Y2022.B25057
U.S. Social Security Administration, SSI Federal Payment Amounts, 1975-2024, https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/SSIamts.html
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 7
outcomes for most people now living outside. For example, more than 80% of people living on prioritized sites
near state highways moved inside when temporary housing and services were offered.12 However, current
resources are inadequate to meet the need, leading to people being turned away entirely or interventions not
being intensive enough to be effective. Overall, Washington’s current system of income supports, subsidized
housing, supportive services, treatment, and outreach is inadequate to bring everyone inside.
Youth and young adult homelessness
In Washington, at least 13,000 young people, ages 12 through 24 are on the street or in unsafe or unstable
housing situations.13 These young people are without a parent or guardian. This is often referred to as
experiencing unaccompanied homelessness.
Young people experience homelessness due to various circumstances that are often complex, overlapping,
and cumulative. Researchers from the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness have outlined a model for
understanding the root causes of youth homelessness, which holds true in the United States and Washington
as well. The model outlines the complex and intricate interplay between three domains: structural factors,
systems failures, and individual and relational factors.14
At the individual level, family dysfunction, conflict, or rejection due to sexual orientation or gender identity can
lead to separation from family and experiences of unaccompanied homelessness. Chapin Hall interviews
show that young people often link the beginning of their homelessness to earlier disruptions of family and
home, including family homelessness and entrance into foster care.15
System failures occur when engagement in public systems such as foster care, juvenile justice, or behavioral
health systems contributes to the likelihood that a young person will become homeless. For example, young
people may transition out of the care of public systems without a home or the needed supports to maintain
stability. In Washington, 15% of young people experience homelessness within 12 months of exiting a public
system. One in five youth who exit foster care and nearly one in four who exit the criminal legal system
experience homelessness.16
Structural factors include economic instability, underemployment, generational poverty, and institutional
racism. These factors occur at the societal level and create the underlying conditions that contribute to
homelessness as well as many other negative outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.
Some young people are at greater risk of homelessness
At least 50% of homeless youth are youth of color, with the highest rates of disproportionality occurring
among Black and Native young people. Racial disparities largely exist due to structural racism.
Marginalized groups have historically experienced segregation and housing discrimination and over-
criminalization and have been denied rights and access to opportunity.
12 Department of Commerce, Encampment Resolution Program, 2023
13 Washington State Department of Commerce, "Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Programs 2016 Report,"
(December 2016), http://www.commerce.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/hau-ohy-report-2016-update.pdf
14 Stephen Gatez, et al, "The Roadmap for the Prevention of Youth Homelessness," Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Press,
(2018), https://www.homelesshub.ca/sites/default/files/Structural_Prevention.pdf
15
Chapin Hall, "Missed Opportunities in Youth Pathways Through Homelessness," University of Chicago, (2019),
https://www.chapinhall.org/wp-content/uploads/ChapinHall_VoYC_Youth-Pathways-FINAL.pdf
16 Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, "Homelessness Among Youth Exiting Systems of Care in Washington
state," (2023), https://www.dshs.wa.gov/sites/default/files/rda/reports/research-11-254.pdf
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 8
Up to 40% of youth experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ+, while only 3% to 5% of the United
States population identifies as LGBTQ.17 Family conflict and rejection due to a youth’s sexual orientation
and/or gender identity is a primary cause of homelessness among LGBTQ+ young people.
Youth who have not earned a high school diploma or GED have a 346% higher risk of homelessness than
those who have.18 There is an inverse relationship between education and homelessness. Lack of
educational completion increases the risk of homelessness, while experiences of homelessness disrupt
a young person’s ability to engage in and complete their education.
Efforts must center youth voice
Efforts to address youth and young adult homelessness must involve those who have lived experience of
housing instability. A core value of the Office of Homeless Youth (OHY) is to ensure young people with lived
experience are central to the Office’s planning, service delivery, and strategic direction.
In May of 2023, OHY brought together nearly 60 youth with lived experience to review and evaluate $120
million in funding requests through the lens of their own personal experience and that of their peers. Their
evaluations, alongside other criteria identified in the competitive funding process, determined the allocation of
$40 million in state and federal grants to organizations across Washington.
Other examples of OHY’s youth engagement include the Youth for Youth (Y4Y) Board that guides
implementation of the federal Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program grant and the Prevention Steering
Committee of people with lived experience, which directs Washington’s efforts to prevent youth and young
adult homelessness.
Efforts such as these provide a platform for young people to take a lead role in shaping programs and policy,
while receiving support from organizations and adult professionals. In order to be successful and authentic,
young people must be compensated for their time. Efforts must be made to make engagement accessible by,
for example, providing onsite childcare; advance payment for travel, lodging, and meals; and designing
engagement to accommodate a variety of participation styles.
Prevention is key to ending youth and young adult homelessness
Current investments to address homelessness are heavily concentrated on crisis response. While important,
these interventions are costly and focused only on serving people after they have lost housing, been separated
from family, or are living unsheltered. We need a more balanced approach that invests in preventing
experiences of homelessness from occurring in the first place.
Even a single experience of homelessness can have a deep and enduring impact on a young person’s life.
Young people face the risk of victimization, trauma, and violence when living unsheltered or in other unsafe
and unstable living situations. Further, preventing experiences of homelessness during adolescence will help
prevent experiences of chronic homelessness later in life. According to one community’s analysis, almost 50%
of adults experiencing homelessness became homeless for the first time before age 25. Prevention occurs
along a continuum and can be a valuable intervention at any point along a young person’s journey.
17 Ray, N., “Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth: An epidemic of homelessness,” (2006)
18 Chapin Hall, Voices of Youth Count, University of Chicago, (2018)
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 9
Prevention continuum
Figure 1: Prevention continuum
Recent legislation and state funding investments have begun to shift the focus to earlier prevention:
In 2018, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 6560, which established a goal that any unaccompanied youth
discharged from a publicly funded system of care will be discharged into safe and stable housing: RCW
43.330.720
In 2022, House Bill 1905 established four interventions to prevent housing instability for young people
exiting public systems of care, such as foster care, the criminal legal system, and inpatient behavioral
health:
• A Rapid Response Team to bring together representatives from multiple state agencies to respond to
complex cases in which young people are exiting systems without identified housing: RCW 43.126.205
• Flexible funding that can be provided directly to a young person to meet any immediate need that will
help them avoid homelessness: RCW 43.330.723
• The Housing Stability for Youth in Courts pilot program in six counties to identify youth involved in the
juvenile court system who may be at risk of homelessness and provide support to help them obtain
stable housing: RCW 43.330.724
• System of Care grants to provide a broad range of support to youth transitioning out of public systems:
RCW 43.330.725
A legislative budget proviso in 2022 directed the creation of a workgroup focused on the prevention of
youth and young adult homelessness and other negative outcomes. Funding was provided to support the
involvement of young people and families with lived experience of housing instability, child welfare
involvement, justice system involvement, or inpatient behavioral health involvement.
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 10
Challenges to reducing homelessness
Shortage of market-rate and subsidized housing units
A key challenge to reducing homelessness is a shortage of affordable, non-congregate19 places for people to
live. When subsidized rental housing and non-congregate temporary housing are offered to people living
outside, more than 80% move inside.20 Without an adequate supply of places for people living outside, local
governments are left with the choices of 1) shifting people to other outside places in their jurisdiction, 2)
shifting people to a neighboring jurisdiction, or 3) leaving them living outside.
Washington’s vacancy rate is 3.7%,21 well below the balanced rate of 7%.22 This shortfall of units results in
higher rents, and increases in rents are strongly associated with increases in homelessness.23 An overall
increase in the supply of housing would reduce rent inflation, and correspondingly reduce homelessness.24
Even with an adequate overall supply of housing, the inadequate supply of subsidized housing in Washington
would still leave many people homeless. Some households' incomes are not high enough to afford market-rate
housing. They need a subsidy to have an affordable place to live. For example, a person working full time at
minimum wage with dependent children cannot afford lower tier rental housing in Washington.25 In addition,
federal disability payments are inadequate for a single person to afford lower tier housing. 26 Through creative
solutions and assistance from family and friends, most people with lower incomes remain housed. Additional
homelessness prevention investments in education, family stability and behavioral health would likely
marginally reduce the number of people becoming homeless. However, without additional subsidized units,
people will continue to experience homelessness in Washington.
Estimates of housing need released this year by Commerce call for 1.1 million additional housing units over
the next 20 years, or 55,000 new units each year for 20 years. The report also shares that half of these
(550,000 units) should be affordable to people with incomes less than 50% of area median incomes.27
Assuming the majority of units for low-income people need a subsidy to be affordable, current federal, state,
and local investment levels are not adequate to meet the 20-year housing affordability targets.28
19 Locations where each individual or household has living space that offers some level of privacy such as hotels, motels, or
dormitories.
20 Washington State Department of Commerce, Encampment Resolution Program, 2023
21 U.S. Census Bureau, Quarterly Vacancy and Homeownership Rates, Second Quarter 2023, (August 2, 2023)
22 U.S. Census Bureau, Average and median of historic national vacancy rates, 1956 to 2023
23 Gregg Colburn and Clayton Page Aldern, "Homelessness is a Housing Problem," University of California Press, (2022), page 133
24 Shane Phillips et al, Research Roundup: The Effect of Market-Rate Development on Neighborhood Rents, UCLA Lewis Center for
Regional Policy Studies, (2021)
25 Peggy Bailey, Priced Out: The State of Housing in America, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, (2022)
26 Ibid.
27 Washington State Department of Commerce, Updating GMA Housing Elements,
"Housing All Planning Tool," (March 2023).
28
The Department of Commerce estimates recent higher levels of investment at the federal, state, and local levels, will result in about
5,000 more units of subsidized housing each year. The HB 1220 housing targets are 648,252 low-income units over the next 20 years.
Assuming at least half would need a subsidy to be affordable (a conservatively low estimate), each year over 16,000 subsidized
additional units would be needed to meet the 20-year target.
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 11
Shortage of behavioral health supports
Some people need behavioral health and other supportive services to remain stably housed. Without supports,
their behavior would lead to eviction. Inadequate funding for services is the issue in some cases, and in many
cases hiring and retaining skilled staff is another barrier.
Grantees of Commerce have reported that even in projects designed for people with significant needs, such as
Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), some tenants require a higher level of care than the grantee can provide
currently. Additional supports needed include short-term or longer-term behavioral health support provided by
licensed treatment facilities, and behavioral health professionals who can respond to incidents promptly.
Difficulty siting emergency shelters, affordable housing, and licensed
behavioral health facilities
Grantees report difficulty siting the housing and facilities needed to bring people experiencing homelessness
inside. Local governments have used land use and permitting processes to exclude emergency shelters and
affordable housing. In some cases, neighborhood opposition to siting leads to local governments not using
funding available for homeless housing.
Current gaps in the youth and young adult systems limit prevention
and pathways out of homelessness
Geographic gaps
Youth and young adults experience homelessness in every region of our state. Despite what many people
assume, rates of youth homelessness are similar in rural and urban areas.29 Yet, while youth are experiencing
homelessness in all Washington communities, resources to help them are not always available.
Lack of prevention services
Families experiencing conflict or disruption lack the support needed to build resilience and resolve challenges.
More robust crisis intervention, family counseling and reconciliation, and access to behavioral health services
are needed to prevent young people from experiencing homelessness.
Public systems are a pipeline to homelessness
Young people transitioning from public systems of care, such as foster care, inpatient behavioral health
treatment and the justice system, are leaving without the proper preparation and support to ensure their safety
and stability.
Lack of longer-term housing supports for minors
Youths under the age of 18 who are unable to return home safely lack stable housing options. Shelters are
limited to short-term stays. Host homes provide an option for longer-term support, but only a handful of these
programs exist in the state.
29 Chapin Hall, Voices of Youth Count, (2018)
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 12
Homeless system performance
Goals and targets
Commerce established homeless system prioritization requirements in 2016, which required grantees to
prioritize unsheltered homeless households for services and housing. In July 2017, Commerce introduced
housing outcome performance improvement requirements to the Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG).
Commerce issued updates and refinements to these in 2019. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak,
Commerce released a set of temporary changes and suspensions of performance requirements for grantees.
Commerce suspended performance monitoring for the contract period through June 2023, resuming in 2024.
Communities can now continue to monitor their progress using the CHG Performance Tracker, which is
updated quarterly.
From July 2022 to June 2023, Commerce updated the existing homeless system performance requirements in
partnership with grantees. These new requirements integrated concepts introduced in Chapter 214, Laws of
2021 (ESHB 1277) and stakeholder feedback into Commerce's homeless contracts starting in July 2023.
For each intervention type funded by CHG, grantees must adopt the required housing outcome performance
measure outlined in Table 2 below. Grantees must make progress toward the statewide performance target.
The target states the level of desirable performance, and indicates a high performing system. Additionally, the
housing outcomes of the exited households must be similar, regardless of race or ethnicity.
Table 2: Required housing outcome performance measures
Performance
Intervention type Performance measure Calculation
target
Increase Exits to Positive Of people in Emergency Shelter who exited, those who
Drop-in Emergency Shelter 50%
Outcomes exited to Positive Outcome destinations
Increase Exits to Of people in Emergency Shelter who exited, those who
Emergency Shelter 50%
Permanent Housing exited to Permanent Housing destinations
Increase Exits to Of people in Transitional Housing who exited, those
Transitional Housing 80%
Permanent Housing who exited to Permanent Housing destinations
Increase Exits to Of people in Rapid Re-Housing who exited, those who
Rapid Re-Housing 80%
Permanent Housing exited to Permanent Housing destinations
Permanent Supportive
Increase Exits to or Of people in Permanent Supportive Housing, those
Housing or any Permanent
Retention of Permanent who remained in Permanent Supportive Housing or 95%
Housing type (excluding Rapid
Housing exited to Permanent Housing destinations
RE-Housing)
TESTING:
Housing Retention after TESTING:
TESTING: one month Of the people in Homelessness Prevention who exited Not
Homelessness Prevention to a Permanent Housing destination, those who did established
Housing Retention after six not enter the homeless system after exit
months
* Drop-in Emergency Shelters offer night-by-night living arrangements that allow households to enter and exit on an irregular or daily basis and often use
a Night-By-Night tracking method in HMIS.
** Excludes Drop-in Emergency Shelters
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 13
Grantees that improve or meet performance targets will also meet the requirement to improve housing
outcomes. If Commerce or grantees identify racial or ethnic disparities in housing outcomes, Commerce will
determine if the requirement has been met. Grantees that do not make progress towards performance targets
will enter into a performance improvement plan with Commerce that will include an investigation into the
potential causes and technical assistance to address the identified barriers to progress.
Commerce will calculate baseline and performance results with data from the Homeless Management
Information System (HMIS). This includes data from all applicable projects without regard to fund sources. For
example, to monitor compliance with "Increase Percent Exits to Permanent Housing from Rapid Re-Housing,"
all Rapid Re-Housing projects in a given community will be included in the calculation. Data for the previous
state fiscal year will serve as the baseline.
Performance results can be found on the CHG Performance Tracker, which is updated quarterly. This new
version of the CHG Performance Tracker includes outcomes separated by age group, gender, race and
ethnicity.
Equitable access
Nationally and in Washington, people of color and other historically marginalized communities are dramatically
over-represented in homeless and unstably housed populations.
Chapter 214, Laws of 2021 (ESHB 1277), required that Commerce develop performance measures that ensure
that the race and ethnicity of households served are proportional to the numbers of people in need of services
in each county. The race and ethnicity of households entering the homeless system as measured using HMIS
data will be compared to the race and ethnicity of the homeless and unstably housed population as reported in
the Snapshot of Homelessness Report (Tables 6 and 8). Significant variations in the homeless and unstably
housed populations and the populations accessing services will indicate that a given community requires
additional strategies to promote racially equitable access to the homeless services system.
In 2024, Commerce will facilitate activities to improve data literacy, identify barriers to equitable access and
identify strategies to improve equitable access.
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 14
State Plan accomplishments
Homeless Strategic Plan vision, mission and guiding principles
In 2005, the Washington Legislature passed the Homeless Housing and Assistance Act (RCW 43.185C). The
act outlined policies to address homelessness and directed Commerce to “prepare and publish a five-year
homeless housing strategic plan which must outline statewide goals and performance measures.”
Figure 1: Homelessness Strategic Plan vision, mission and guiding principles
Our Vision No person left living outside.
Support homeless crisis response systems that efficiently reduce the number of people living outside and,
Our Mission
when scaled appropriately, can house all unsheltered people.
All people deserve a safe place to live.
Guiding Principles Urgent and bold action is the appropriate response to people living outside.
Interventions must be data-driven and evidence-based.
Commerce completed the 2019-2024 Washington Homeless Housing Crisis Strategic Plan in November 2019.
To learn more, visit the State Strategic Plan, Annual Reports and Audits webpage.
An update to the 5-year plan is scheduled for release by July 2024. Commerce will then distribute updated
guidance to county governments to update their local plans by July 2025.
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 15
2019-2024 Strategic Plan objectives
Objective 1: Quickly identify and engage people experiencing homelessness through
outreach and coordination with systems that assist homeless subpopulations.
Connection to the goal: People living unsheltered cannot be housed if they are not identified, and progress toward the goal of
ending homelessness cannot be accurately assessed without knowing the universe of people experiencing homelessness.
Commerce action Measure of success Timeline Update
Office of Family and Adult
Provide effective problem-solving Homelessness and Office of The 2023-2025 biennium training plan includes
strategies and technical assistance Homeless Youth grantees 2019- Diversion and Problem Solving when engaging
on how to identify and engage access technical assistance. 2021, with individuals experiencing homelessness. The
people living in places not meant Coordinated Entry Systems ongoing training is led by subject matter experts and made
for human habitation. comply with Coordinated Entry available at no cost around the state.
System requirements
All communities are required to work with their
Provide technical assistance to local victim service providers to ensure a safe and
ensure coordinated entry process confidential process per the Commerce
accessibility, safety and Coordinated Entry guidelines. Commerce provides
Coordinated Entry Systems
confidentiality for households 2019- quarterly training to local Coordinated Entry staff
access technical assistance
whose members are fleeing 2021, including guidance regarding processes for
and comply with Coordinated
violence (including domestic ongoing people fleeing violence. Most importantly,
Entry requirements.
violence, dating violence, and Commerce provided direct technical assistance to
sexual assault, stalking or communities that had challenges in assuring a
trafficking). safe and confidential Coordinated Entry process
for people fleeing violence.
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 16
Objective 2: Prioritize housing for people who have the greatest need for immediate
access to assistance.
Connection to the goal: When people who have the greatest needs are left outside, they are more likely to experience trauma or
injury, making it more difficult to ultimately bring them inside.
Commerce action Measure of success Timeline Update
Provide training and Office of Family and Adult
Commerce provides training to local Coordinated Entry
technical assistance on the Homelessness (OFAH) and 2019-
staff and Coordinated Entry committee meetings
Washington State Office of Homeless Youth 2021,
quarterly. Commerce responds to requests for technical
Coordinated Entry (OHY) grantees access ongoing
assistance on specific, locally identified challenges.
Guidelines. technical assistance.
Assess 60% of counties in
Assess the coordinated
2019 and 40% in 2020.
entry process performance Commerce worked in partnership with local communities
and compliance with 2019- in the Balance of State region to establish a Coordinated
Develop a plan to ensure
requirements and provide 2021 Entry governance structure that complies with federal
compliance with federal
technical assistance on any Coordinated Entry requirements in 2021.
Coordinated Entry
deficiencies.
Requirements.
Per legislative direction in RCW 43.185C.060, Commerce
was required to work with stakeholders and develop new
performance measures. The homeless system
performance requirements included in the Consolidated
Homeless Grant were updated to remove prioritization
requirements starting in July 2023.
Explore performance
Establish performance
improvement requirements New rental assistance performance measures in RCW
improvement requirements
and benchmarks for 43.185C.185 required the agency to develop performance
and benchmarks for
successful housing 2024 measures and benchmarks that promote both equitable
successful housing
placements or housing program access and equitable program outcomes.
placements or housing
retention of prioritized Performance requirements associated with equitable
retention of prioritized people
people. access and outcomes were added to the Consolidated
Homeless Grant staring in July 2023.
RCW 43.185C.060 requires the agency to develop
performance measures associated with county
government actions to prevent and reduce homelessness.
The homeless system performance requirements
included in the Consolidated Homeless Grant were
Annually monitor the updated to remove prioritization requirements starting in
unsheltered prioritization July 2023.
80% of counties move into
performance improvement 2019,
compliance after any
requirements and provide ongoing Performance monitoring was postponed due to the
corrective action.
technical assistance on any pandemic and new legislation directing the development
deficiencies. of new measures in RCW 43.185C.185 and
43.185c.060.The new performance measures are in effect
now and scheduled to be monitored in 2024.
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 17
Objective 3: Work toward people living unsheltered having immediate access to
temporary housing.
Connection to the goal: Living outside is a barrier to resolving the issues that contribute to people becoming homeless.
Commerce action Measure of success Timeline Update
Estimates include:
Publish estimates of the unmet Rents increase at the same rate as New requirements in RCW 36.70A070(2),
temporary housing and services inflation 35A.21.430 and 34.21.683 provide additional
need and the costs of meeting the Rents annually decrease 2% below 2020 targets that local governments are required
state’s vision that no person is left the rate of inflation to use as part of the Growth Management
living outside. Rents annually increase by 2% Act.
above the rate of inflation
Assess 80% of counties in 2019
and 20% in 2020.
Monitor low-barrier requirements
Counties receive technical 2019-
and provide technical assistance on Monitoring is ongoing.
assistance plans that, if 2021
any deficiencies.
implemented, would bring them
into compliance with state low-
barrier requirements.
After stakeholder feedback, Commerce is
Support state-funded projects to 80% of counties expand low barrier requiring that by July 1, 2025, no less than
2022-
expand low-barrier requirements to program and facility access by 80% of a county's Consolidated Homeless
2024
reduce barriers 2025. Grant funded projects (programs and
facilities) be low barrier.
Objective 4: Work toward people experiencing homelessness having permanent
housing options.
Connection to the goal: People living in temporary housing are considered homeless, so moving people into permanent and stable
housing options is central to the goal of ending homelessness.
Commerce action Measure of success Timeline Update
Estimates include:
Publish estimates of the unmet Rents increase at the same
New requirements in RCW 36.70A070(2),
permanent housing and services rate as inflation
35A.21.430 and 34.21.683 provide additional
need and the costs of meeting the Rents annually decrease 2% 2020
targets that local governments are required to use
state’s vision that no person is left below the rate of inflation
as part of the Growth Management Act.
living outside. Rents annually increase by
2% above the rate of inflation
Applications include new and Applications were submitted on time for annual
Apply annually for federal
existing projects. renewals and new projects in the Balance of State
Continuum of Care funds for the 2019,
Continuum of Care competition in 2023.
Balance of State projects and ongoing
Submit applications and
comply with reporting requirements.
reports on time. Applications were submitted for renewals and
new Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project
projects in 2023.
Actively seek new federal fund
opportunities for Balance of State All reporting deadlines to HUD were met in 2023
Award applications. Ongoing
counties to expand housing for Point in Time Count data and Housing
inventory. Inventory Count for Balance of State Continuum
of Care projects.
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 18
Objective 5: Prevent youth and young adults from experiencing homelessness.
Connection to the goal: Preventing youth and young adults from becoming homeless directly contributes to the goal of ending
homelessness.
Commerce action Measure of success Timeline Update
In 2020, OHY and the Department of Children, Youth and
Families (DCYF) submitted a state plan to the Legislature
focused on (1) Effective Transitions from Care, (2)
Community Connections, and (3) Housing. OHY, DCYF
and the Healthcare Authority (HCA) continue to
collaborate through the SSB 6560 interagency workgroup
established in 2018 to support the transition process for
young people in child welfare, juvenile rehabilitation, and
inpatient behavioral health treatment. OHY led a
Transitional Living Pilot for youth ages 16 and 17 and,
through SB 5566 (2022), expanded the Independent
Youth Housing Program for former foster youth and
young adults in Extended Foster Care.
In 2020, OHY and DSHS’s Research and Data Analysis
Submit a state plan to the Division developed a dashboard measuring
Ensure that youth who
Legislature by Dec. 31, 2019. homelessness or housing instability among youth and
exit public systems of
Develop data-tracking mechanisms young adults three to 12 months after exiting public
care exit into safe and
to measure the number of youth systems. OHY and RDA update the dashboard at least
stable housing, per
and young adults experiencing semiannually.
Chapter 82, Laws of
homelessness or housing
2018 (SSB 6560). 2018,
instability within 12 months of exit In 2022, OHY and state agency partners implemented
Public systems of care ongoing
from a public system. Implement components of SHB 1905 (2022), deploying
include foster care,
and evaluate system-of- $4,434,00 of state funds to end exits to homelessness
juvenile justice,
care/innovation grants to test from public systems of care for:
behavioral health and
innovative approaches to prevent Forming a Rapid Response Team of OHY, DCYF,
the Office of Homeless
youth from exiting systems of care HCA, and DSHS staff supporting youth with complex
Youth programs.
into homelessness cases exiting public systems of care
Expanding flexible homelessness diversion supports
for youth exiting systems of care
Creating grants for Housing Stability for Youth in
Courts (HSYNC) programs in six counties to prevent
exits to homelessness from county juvenile detention
facilities
Expanding the System of Care grant program to fund
community-based services that prevent youth from
exiting public systems of care into homelessness
In 2023, OHY hired a Prevention Manager to serve on the
Rapid Response Team and support grantees
implementing prevention initiatives. OHY launched a
Prevention Community of Practice for organizations to
share learnings and coordinate approaches.
In 2020, the Legislature tasked the Office of Homeless
Youth, with financial support from the Raikes Foundation,
Develop policy and with drafting a strategic plan to prevent youth
funding solutions that Submit recommendations to the homelessness.
provide families and Legislature through the Families
2018,
youth in crisis with the and Youth in Crisis report (2018 After drafting a plan outlining existing prevention efforts
ongoing
supports they need to supplemental operating budget, and identifying root causes, OHY and two grassroots,
become or stay healthy section 127, subsection 24). BIPOC-led organizations worked with a steering
and resilient. committee of people with lived experience to identify
recommendations in the report "Shifting Services and
Systems to Prevent Youth Housing Instability."
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 19
Connection to the goal: Preventing youth and young adults from becoming homeless directly contributes to the goal of ending
homelessness.
The final strategic plan outlines recommendations under
four main pillars of prevention:
Support and invest in whole family well-being
Eliminate trauma and racism in systems that serve
youth and families
Shift power to BIPOC communities
Universal support for fundamental human rights
In 2022, OHY was directed to establish an interagency
work group to oversee the implementation of the
strategic plan for youth homelessness prevention. OHY
received funding from the Legislature to re-establish the
steering committee of people with lived experience to
continue to inform the implementation of the
recommendations outlined in the plan.
In 2020, OHY updated the Street Outreach Services grant
guidelines to include diversion as an allowable expense
and activity.
Make diversion an
allowable activity Beginning July 1, 2020, the OHY issued grants to operate
through the Office of Update the 2019-21 Street a Centralized Diversion Fund to provide diversion services
Homeless Youth’s Outreach Services program and flexible funding to youth and young adults in the
Street Outreach guidelines to include diversion as Anchor Communities (Spokane, Walla Walla, Pierce, and
Services grant. Provide an allowable cost. 90% of Street Yakima counties).
technical assistance to Outreach Services grantees receive 2019,
grantees on effective technical assistance. Data reflects ongoing In 2022, the Legislature passed Chapter 137, Laws of
diversion strategies. that youth and young adults served 2022 (HB 1905), which included a new flexible fund
Measure effectiveness through diversion avoid entering program for young people exiting public systems of care
and implement the homeless crisis response to ensure they obtain stable housing.
continuous quality system.
improvement A Way Home Washington provides technical assistance
processes. and delivers a comprehensive curriculum to train
community partners on diversion best practice
approaches and how to utilize flexible funding to meet
the needs of young people to avoid homelessness.
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 20
Objective 6: Make certain that youth experiencing homelessness are offered age and
developmentally appropriate access to services that support permanent connections,
education and employment, and well-being.
Connection to the goal: Services can help youth build resiliency that prevents homelessness and promotes stability through
increased income, connections to supportive social networks and general well-being.
Commerce action Measure of success Timeline Update
Through the Office of Homeless In 2020, Commerce introduced proposed performance
Youth, lead the Interagency 2019-21 program measures after feedback sessions from people with lived
Workgroup on Youth contracts include experience and stakeholders.
Homelessness to engage state performance
agencies in addressing the measures and data- In 2022, Commerce updated the draft performance measures
education, employment, and reporting to focus on best practices and youth-led programming.
well-being needs of youth and requirements. The Feedback sessions occurred with the Office of Homeless
young adults experiencing Interagency 2019, Youth (OHY), youth with lived experience, and grantees.
homelessness. Implement the Workgroup on Youth ongoing
Office of Homeless Youth Homelessness Commerce published live dashboards online for OHY staff,
program performance measures develops cross- OHY grantees and the community in January 2023. These
that evaluate outcomes related sector strategies to dashboards illustrate current grantee performance and will
to stable housing, education, address youth and guide future monitoring.
employment, permanent young adult
connections, and social and homelessness. The final performance measures were implemented into
emotional well-being. guidelines in January 2023.
Objective 7: Address inequities in services and outcomes among people experiencing
homelessness
Connection to the goal: Systems that cannot effectively engage all people cannot end homelessness.
Commerce action Measure of success Timeline Update
Analysis of race and ethnicity in the homeless
Conduct data analysis to understand services system was conducted in 2019, which
the scope of inequities as it relates to resulted in the publication of a public dashboard
Conduct research and
race, ethnicity, disabilities, people 2022 on racial equity. Newly published performance
publish a report.
who identify as LGBTQ+ and other dashboards included program outcomes
marginalized communities. separated by race, ethnicity and other
demographic factors.
Work with stakeholders to develop
Hold feedback sessions with New county and equity-based performance
equity measures and benchmarks
stakeholders to identify 2022- measures in RCW 43.185c.060 and 43.185c.185
that are added to the state and county
measures and benchmarks 2023 require stakeholder feedback. New terms were
report cards and included in contracts
after publishing the report. added to contracts in July 2023.
for state homeless housing funds.
Procure trainer on protected classes
2020,
for Commerce homeless housing Trainer under contract. Ongoing
ongoing
staff and grantees.
Identify subject matter
Use an equity tool to review and experts and peer state
evaluate homeless program agency consultants to advise The Housing Division and the broader Department
guidelines and policies. Use the tool on the equity tool. Develop 2020 of Commerce are developing policies to ensure
to ensure the equitable distribution of policies to use the tool to equitable resource distribution.
resources. ensure equitable resource
distribution.
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 21
Objective 8: Maintain an effective, efficient and transparent homeless crisis response
system.
Connection to the goal: Improved efficiency increases the number of people who can be housed with limited resources, and a
system that transparently demonstrates its efficiency is more likely to receive the resources necessary to end homelessness.
Commerce action Measure of success Timeline Update
Publish Washington’s homeless
Publish performance results 2019,
system performance as compared CoC System Performance Data
annually. ongoing
to other states
The Washington State Homeless System
Performance County Report Card was
Publish state, county and project-
Publish annual and quarterly 2019, updated for 2022. Additionally, performance
level homeless system
performance outcomes. ongoing outcomes of homeless systems and youth
performance outcomes.
programs are published quarterly on
dashboards.
All federally required reports were submitted
on time, including the Action Plan,
Complete annual state and federal
Submit accurate reports on time. Ongoing Consolidated Annual Performance and
reporting.
Evaluation Report, Housing Inventory Count,
and Point in Time Count data.
The Consolidated Homeless Grant
contracts include the homeless
Require progress toward homeless system performance improvement
2019,
system performance targets as a requirements for rapid rehousing,
ongoing
condition of state funding. emergency shelter, transitional Performance monitoring will occur in 2024. In
housing and permanent supportive 2023, The Consolidated Homeless Grant's
housing. performance requirements were updated to
The percentage of exits to include new performance requirements for
Provide technical assistance and permanent housing reaches the homelessness prevention programs and to
training on homeless system level of the top-performing 20% of incorporate the equitable access and
performance improvement homeless systems nationwide. outcome measures required by RCW
2019- 43.185C.185 and 43.185c.060.
strategies. Develop performance Reduce returns to homelessness
2024
improvement plans for grantees after exits to permanent housing to
who are not meeting performance less than 10%. Reduce the average
improvement benchmarks. length of time homeless to fewer
than 90 days.
Improve homeless system
Meet with the Washington State
performance measures through
Interagency Council on
consultation with national experts
Homelessness quarterly. Maintain a Ongoing Ongoing.
and peer agencies on the
contract with a performance
Washington State Interagency
consultant.
Council on Homelessness.
Commerce contracted with a consultant to
conduct six focus groups with people with
Schedule listening tours and meet lived experience around the state to provide
Engage people who have with advocacy groups to gather feedback on programs and services in 2023.
experienced homelessness to feedback on the Office of Family We are also launching a new Lived
Ongoing
provide meaningful opportunities and Adult Homelessness and Office Experience Advisory Committee to inform our
for input and expert advice. of Homeless Youth program work. Additionally, we have established a
policies. Qualitative Data Coordinator position
dedicated to collecting information directly
from people interacting with homeless
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 22
services systems in order to assess the
quality of services.
Provide feedback on federal In the 2023-2025 biennium, the Legislature
Pursue federal and state policy homeless housing policy changes adopted $400 million in the capital budget for
changes necessary to achieve the and advocate for program the development of affordable housing. In
Ongoing
state’s vision that no person is left improvements. Develop budget addition, the Legislature adopted an
living outside. requests that increase funding for operating budget that included $290 million
homeless housing programs. for homeless services and housing programs.
The training plan for the 2023-2025 biennium
encompasses best practices when engaging
Provide training on homeless with individuals experiencing homelessness.
service provision core The plan includes the following: Racial Equity
competencies, including trauma- 101 & Advanced training, LGBTQ+
Office of Family and Adult
informed care, mental health first 2019 - Competency and Advanced training, Lowering
Homelessness and Office of
aid, racial equity, LGBTQ+ 2022, Barriers & Harm Reduction, Trauma Informed
Homeless Youth grantees comply
competency, and other training ongoing Services, and Introduction to Case
with the training requirements.
identified by the Office of Management Training Series. Information
Homeless Youth and Office of about how to schedule new training for
Family and Adult Homelessness. Consolidated Homeless Grant contractors,
Coordinated Entry staff and Balance of State
counties is coming soon.
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 23
Planning, reporting, auditing and procuring
State Strategic Plan and local homeless plans
Commerce produced an updated 2019-2024 State Homeless Housing Strategic Plan in 2019 and will publish
periodic updates through 2024. Commerce will make updates to this plan in 2024.
Local county plans and annual reports are available on the Commerce website.
Audits
More information on state audits and examinations of Commerce’s management of the homeless funding and
programming is on the State Strategic Plan section of the Commerce website.
Procurement
Federal COVID-19 relief funds
The first Treasury Rent Assistance Program (T-RAP 1.0) began in March 2021 and ran through September
2022. Two T-RAP 1.0 contracts were extended and ended in December 2022. The program served 39,794
households and awarded $345,000,000 for temporary rent assistance. The second iteration of the T-RAP
program (T-RAP 2.0) began in winter 2021 and ended in June 2023. T-RAP 2.0 served 30,963 households and
awarded $269,937,246 for further temporary rent assistance. The Eviction Rent Assistance Program (ERAP
2.0) began in the fall of 2021 and ended in June 2023. It served 81,800 households and distributed
$370,665,128 for rent assistance programs. Though T-RAP 2.0 and ERAP 2.0 contracts both ended in June
2023, half of the state's grantees distributed all awarded funds by January 2023. Consequently, many grantees
closed their temporary rent assistance programs well in advance of funding expiration. More information is
available on the TRAP webpage.
HOME Tenant-Based Rental Assistance and Emergency Solutions Grant
Annually, Commerce completes an action plan to secure federal HOME Tenant-Based Rental Assistance
(TBRA) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) homeless housing funding. More information on the annual
action plan and five-year Consolidated Plan for ESG and HOME TBRA is located on the Plan webpage.
Balance of State Continuum of Care
Commerce applies for HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) Program funding on behalf of the Balance of State (BoS)
CoC, which is comprised of 34 counties in Washington (the large counties, including King, Pierce, Snohomish,
Clark and Spokane, each manages their own CoC program). In the federal fiscal year 2022 competition for CoC
and Youth Homeless Demonstration Program (YHDP) grant funds, HUD awarded the BoS CoC $14,016,292 of
annually renewable funding for:
45 renewal projects providing permanent housing solutions to families and single adults experiencing
homelessness
17 renewal YHDP projects for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness
5 new permanent housing projects, including some dedicated to serving survivors of domestic violence
New projects started in mid-to-late 2023.
More information on the CoC funding is located on the CoC webpage.
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 24
Table 3: Federal grant funds
FFY 2023
FFY 2023 FFY 2023 HOME BoS Youth
Non-YHDP BoS Temporary Federal
Emergency Tenant-Based New non-YHDP BoS Homeless
CoC Funds for Eviction Rent
Solutions Grant Rental Assistance CoC Project Funds Demonstration
Existing Programs Assistance (T-RAP
(ESG) (TBRA) Program (YHDP)
2.0 and ERAP 2.0)
$2,707,147 $2,888,156 (est.) $1,374,627 $10,224,382 $2,417,283 $213,622,451
Interagency Council on Homelessness
The Interagency Council on Homelessness met quarterly through state fiscal year 2023 to maintain cross-
agency communication and coordinate activities addressing homelessness. Additional details on the Council's
work are on the Commerce Homeless Councils webpage.
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 25
Organizational outline
The Housing Division is composed of seven units and offices in response to legislative requirements and
responsibilities.
Table 4: Units within the Housing Division
Office of Apple
Health and Homes
Multifamily Homelessness Homeownership Data and Office of Homeless
Policy Unit and Permanent
Housing Unit Assistance Unit Unit Performance Unit Youth
Supportive
Housing
The units and offices responsible for the information within this report are the Homelessness Assistance Unit,
Data and Performance Unit, and Office of Homeless Youth.
Homelessness Assistance Unit
Office of Family and Adult Homelessness
The Office of Family and Adult Homelessness (OFAH) in the Homelessness Assistance Unit administers state
and federal fund sources granted to local governments and nonprofits. These include:
Table 5: Fund sources of Office of Family and Adult Homelessness-managed grants
Grant Fund source
Consolidated Homeless Grant/System Demonstration Grant Housing surcharge/document recording fee
Housing and Essential Needs General Fund-State
Diversion Program Grant General Fund-State
HOME Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Federal
Emergency Solutions Grant Federal
Temporary COVID Relief Funding
(Emergency Solutions Grant-CV, Eviction Rent Assistance Program 1.0 and Federal
2.0, Treasury Rent Assistance Program 1.0 and 2.0)
More information is available on the OFAH webpage.
Balance of State Continuum of Care and Reporting Office
The Balance of State Continuum of Care and Reporting Office in the Homelessness Assistance Unit works with
34 counties in Washington's Balance of State Continuum of Care to submit a consolidated application for
funding from Commerce to Housing and Urban Development. It is also responsible for coordinating the annual
Point-in-Time Count.
More information is available on the CoC webpage.
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 26
Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Programs
The Office of Homeless Youth (OHY) Prevention and Protection Programs administers state fund sources
granted to local governments and nonprofits. More information is available on the OHY webpage.
Table 6: Fund sources of Office of Homeless Youth-managed grants
Grant Fund source
Crisis Residential Centers Housing surcharge/Document recording fee
Secure Crisis Residential Center Housing surcharge/Document recording fees
HOPE Centers Housing surcharge/Document recording fee
Independent Youth Housing Program Housing surcharge/Document recording fee
General Fund-State/Housing surcharge/Document
Street Outreach Services
recording fee
Young Adult Shelter General Fund-State
Youth Adult Housing Program Housing surcharge/Document recording fee
Transitional Living Program General Fund-State
Ancillary Therapeutic Services General Fund-State
System of Care General Fund-State/Housing Document recording fee
Homeless Student Stability Program Housing surcharge/Document recording fee
Homelessness Prevention Diversion Fund, formerly Centralized
General Fund-State
Diversion Fund
Anchor Community Initiative General Fund-State
Youth Homeless Demonstration Program Federal
Data and Performance Unit
Homeless System Performance Team
The Homeless System Performance Team leads compliance efforts with coordinated entry requirements for
Consolidated Homeless Grant grantees. In partnership with the Analytics and Reporting team, they produce
reports and dashboards to monitor the performance of homeless housing and services grants.
Learn more about how this office provides information on the Homeless System Performance webpage.
Homeless Management Information System Administration Team
This team administers the state’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). It provides solutions for
the Balance of State and King County Continuums. They also provide data integration technology to bring the
other continuum data into the statewide database. HMIS is the data source for most of the information used in
Commerce's performance reports. Homeless housing service providers use HMIS to collect and manage data
gathered while providing housing assistance to people experiencing homelessness.
More information is on the HMIS webpage.
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 27
Analytics and Reporting Team
The Analytics and Reporting Team produces the Homeless System Performance Reports and County Report
Cards, dashboards on homeless interventions, the annual "Golden" report and more. They work in partnership
with the Homeless System Performance team and the Homelessness Assistance Unit to produce reports that
assist with the monitoring of homeless housing and services contracts.
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 28
Homeless housing project expenditure and data report
RCW 43.185C.045 requires that each county in Washington report all expenditures by funding sources (federal,
state and local) for homeless housing projects in their community. Commerce combines expenditures data
with Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) data to create a comprehensive report that includes
expenditures and links them to outcomes. In state fiscal year 2023, projects spent over $600 million assisting
households who were homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. The table below summarizes the
number of beds and cost per intervention.
Table 7: Homeless housing project expenditures for state fiscal year 2023
Cost per successful exit
Service type Beds Total expenditures Cost per day per household
per household
Rapid Rehousing NA $71,577,815.24 $43.21 $21,331.50
Emergency Shelter 7,268 $43,761,017.43 $53.95 $153,283.34
Transitional Housing NA $12,271,867.12 $3.82 $5,092.21
Homeless Prevention NA $843,959.30 $0.69 $2,397.61
Permanent Supportive Housing 76 NA NA NA
Other Permanent Housing 12,467 $145,275,445.80 $44.26 $236,354.55
Street Outreach NA $6,841,079.55 $1.36 $899.67
Services Only 4,044 $17,247,692.80 $32.49 $18,081.72
Eviction Rent Assistance 14,679 $158,777,594.07 $60.47 $25,844.82
Coordinated Entry NA $14,698,818.04 $8.33 $9,920.84
Day Shelter NA $62,347,018.91 $32.40 $9,958.00
Safe Haven 21,010 $74,227,891.74 $62.61 $58,688.47
Permanent Housing With Services NA $71,577,815.24 $43.21 $21,331.50
Other, Unknown, NA 7,268 $43,761,017.43 $53.95 $153,283.34
Totals 59,544 $607,870,200.00 NA NA
The state fiscal year 2023 homeless housing project expenditure and data report are on the State Strategic
Plan, Annual Reports and Audits webpage. More information on how the Performance Office uses the
expenditure and data is on the Homeless System Performance webpage.
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 29
State-funded homeless housing reports
Several RCWs require Commerce to report on expenditures, performance and outcomes of state funds for the
following:
Consolidated Homeless Grant: RCW 434.285C.045
Housing and Essential Needs: RCW 43.185C.220
Homeless Student Stability Program: RCW 43.185C.340
Independent Youth Housing Program: RCW 43.63A.311
Commerce reports include the grant recipient and service area, expenditures, interventions and the number of
households assisted. They may also include additional specific information required in each RCW.
The state fiscal year 2023 state-funded homeless housing reports are on the State Strategic Plan, Annual
Reports and Audits website.
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 30
Point-in-Time Count
The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is an annual count of people living in transitional housing, emergency shelters,
safe havens and places not meant for human habitation on one night in January. Federal and state law require
the PIT Count. Commerce supports county governments or designated leads in coordinating the PIT Count
each year. Local paid staff and volunteers gather the data for the PIT Count. RCW 43.185C.030 and CFR Part
578 outline the demographic information collected and the allowable means of collection.
In 2023, King County opted out of conducting the unsheltered portion of the PIT Count. King County typically
accounts for approximately 50% of the unhoused population of the state, so a 2023 statewide count of people
living in places not meant for habitation is not available. However, King County did conduct a census of
individuals and households residing in shelters and transitional housing.
After collecting, tabulating, and verifying the data, Commerce submits a summary report to the Legislature as
required by RCW 43.185C.045.
Summary of results
Between 2022 and 2023 sheltered homeless rose an estimated 12% statewide. This increase was primarily
driven by a 15% rise in emergency shelter use, as shown in Table 1. This complements an increase between
2022 and 2023 in overall emergency shelter capacity, a trend occurring as federal COVID-19 temporary
housing funds expired. Additionally, the PIT Count recorded a slightly smaller increase for transitional housing.
Over the past year, unsheltered homelessness has increased 21% statewide, excluding King County, which did
not conduct a 2023 unsheltered homelessness census. Generally, populous counties located along the I-5
corridor reported the highest numbers of people living in places not meant for habitation; however, Spokane
and Okanogan counties also reported large numbers of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
In 2023, the total number of people residing in permanent supportive housing plateaued after a jump between
2021 and 2022, declining a modest 2%. Rapid re-housing and other permanent housing interventions continued
to see increases in utilization, with 11% and 33% increases in year-over-year utilization, respectively.
Overall, the number of people accessing a permanent housing intervention increased by 15% from 2022 to
2023. The increase in utilization of other permanent housing interventions represents a rebound to 2021 levels
after a drop in 2022. This, however, has not kept pace with the increases in sheltered and unsheltered
homelessness.
Count results by county are located on the Annual Point in Time Count webpage.
HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON 2023 31
File and source
- File
- 2024_commercereports-2023-hd-homelessness-in-washington-24def55e-7087-43fc-.pdf
- Size
- 487,193 bytes
- SHA-256
- 220726e6f5ed049d69f90246baa2ae94af2767f0ac963a8bfcbd97f999554c05
- Original
- No public link identified.