HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS
More and more Skagit County residents say local housing issues have reached a crisis state.
Purchasing a home is out of reach for many families while monthly rents stretch household budgets. The local homeless population is increasing. There is a shortfall in area housing for people with a wide range of incomes. Many people who were once financially comfortable now struggle – taking money away from basics in order to keep a roof over their heads.
Draft Homeless Housing Plan
Skagit County Public Health is pleased to release this draft Homeless Housing plan for public comment. We welcome your comments, feedback and suggestions and will consider input for incorporation into the final plan if received by 4:00pm on Friday, November 8th. The vision for the 2019 Homeless Housing Plan is that homelessness in Skagit County is prevented, and in cases when it does occur, that it is a brief, rare and one-time experience. Its purpose is to make clear the action plan of the homeless crisis response system over the next five years and to guide funding decisions on behalf of the County.
The plan was guided by a task force of community members and developed by assessing data collected through surveys, community meetings, focus groups, individual interviews, state specific tools and support from the Washington State Department of Commerce and the Technical Assistance Collective (TAC). Objectives for Skagit County’s plan were determined by Commerce’s Local Plan Guidelines. If you would like to provide comments or have questions, email or call Sarah Hinman at sarahh@co.skagit.wa.us or 360-416-1507.
Housing and Homelessness:
Skagit County Public Health partners with local cities and nonprofits to provide humanitarian response, emergency shelters, rental assistance and supportive services with the goal of improving access to housing and reducing homelessness [flyer]
| Skagit County HOME Consortium |
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| Videos |
Homeless in Skagit County
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Housing: The first step in healing
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Measuring Local Homelessness & Our Response
Homelessness: FAQ's
Reports:
Skagit County Housing Action Plan
Skagit County Affordable Housing Needs
Local Community Housing Profiles
Recovery Housing and Employment Needs Assessment
Community Report: Housing in Skagit County
Housing Summit documents and presentations:
Building a Skagit County Housing Affordability Strategy
Updated Report: 2016
Two out of every five households in Skagit County cannot afford the home they occupy. The attached report describes in detail the scope of our affordable housing shortfall and 12 recommendations to address this crucial issue.
Homelessness
in Skagit County
At any point in time, at least 957 people in Skagit County are homeless
(2011 Homeless Count). Throughout the year, hundreds more face the prospect
of losing their homes due to precarious financial conditions, domestic
violence, health crises, and chronic mental health and chemical dependency
conditions. Furthermore, the rising cost of housing and stagnant wages
increases the risk of people losing their housing, and makes it increasingly
difficult to find affordable housing.
Skagit
County: The 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness [Pdf]
Skagit County Home Consortium Tri-County Consolidated Plan
Island, Skagit, Whatcom
2015-2017
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