Welcome
The Homeless Network of Yakima County is a consortium of providers who serve the homeless and work together to reduce homelessness by 50% in Yakima County by 2014.
Mission
The mission of the Homeless Network of Yakima County is to advocate for the homeless people of Yakima County in order to improve the quality of life, increase public awareness of homeless issues, impact public policy, and end homelessness.
VisionThe Homeless Network will use the Housing First Model with wraparound support services to move homeless individuals and families off the streets, into shelter, and on to permanent housing and self-sufficiency. The Network will collaborate and coordinate with homeless service providers and stakeholders to end homelessness.
Point in Time Survey / Project Homeless Connect
The annual Point in Time Survey is scheduled to take place Jan. 26 throughout Yakima County. The survey is an annual count of people who are homeless in Yakima County. Project Homeless Connect is a service fair designed to help people who are homeless with services currently available to them. For more information about these events, please click here.
Extreme Weather Shelter Program
The Homeless Network of Yakima County is currently operating four extreme weather shelters, three in Yakima and one in Sunnyside. For additional information about this program, please click here.
The Five Myths About Homelessness
Each week we will feature one of the Top Five Myths About Homelessness. If you would like to learn more about the myths simply click on the link at the bottom of the page.
The 2010 Point in Time Survey found that 64% of the individuals surveyed wanted to work, but were not able to locate employment due to a lack of training or a disability which prevented them from working.
The National Coalition for the Homeless published a Fact Sheet stating that for those with limited skills or experience, opportunities for jobs that pay a living wage are very limited. Additionally, many members of the homeless population have to combat barriers such as limited transportation and reduced access to educational and training programs. In such a competitive environment, the difficulties of job seeking as a homeless person can be almost insurmountable barriers to employment.
For more about the Top Five Myths click here.