Central Washington County Access Center

Washington County launched an ambitious strategy to build a countywide system of care to address and prevent homelessness through services and supports that lead to housing stability and equitable outcomes. This work is funded through resources from the regional Supportive Housing Services (SHS) ballot measure that was passed by voters in the tri-county metro region in May 2020. The measure authorizes a new regional tax that will generate revenue for implementation of the SHS program from July 2021 through December 2030, with the potential for extension through voter renewal. Using SHS funds, the County has increased its shelter capacity significantly including bridge shelters, pod shelters, seasonal shelters, motel conversions, and year-round congregate and non-congregate shelters. To support these shelters, DHS intends to add an Access Center in Central Washington County, which will also be funded through SHS. This Access Center will help to centralize the homeless services and amenities utilized by the County's homeless population and will help coordinate the County's response, improving access to both temporary and permanent housing options. The Department of Housing Services is committed to fair access and lawful treatment in all programs. Populations with limited service access and homelessness are inextricably linked; therefore, housing justice is at the forefront of all programmatic work.