Inslee has plan to combat homelessness
By Terry Murry on Friday, December 17th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – Washington Gov. Jay Inslee Wednesday announced his homelessness proposals for the 2022 legislative session, putting forth an $800 million investment he hopes will find solutions for individuals living without shelter and help those at risk of becoming homeless.
“A variety of factors drive our state’s homelessness crisis, including lack of affordable housing, unemployment, poverty, behavioral health needs and lack of services, domestic violence, and accessible options for people with disabilities,” Inslee said. “We know when people have a place of their own, they can rest, feel safe, heal, and take charge of their lives again.”
His plan would secure more facilities to provide permanent supportive and affordable housing, expand supportive services for people with behavioral health needs, transition encamped people to permanent housing solutions, and restore the range of affordable housing types in Washington’s cities.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, about 30 of every 10,000 Washingtonians were experiencing homelessness which is well above the national average. Since the state has not been able to carry out its annual point-in-time count of unsheltered people since 2020, it’s unknown how the pandemic fully impacted the number of people living outside. However, a data sharing partnership between the Department of Commerce and the Department of Social and Health Services suggests a two percent increase in people experiencing homelessness from January 2020 to January 2021.
This week, Inslee has been announcing his plans dealing with a number of issues that he is proposing for the Washington Legislature at its 2022 session.
