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.
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.
Based on the current minimum wage and the average cost of rental housing in Yakima, a minimum wage employee would have to work 96-hours just to pay for housing. As of November 2010 there was just a 3.7-percent availability of rental housing in the City of Yakima. The lack of available rentals has made it difficult for just about anyone in Yakima to find adequate housing.
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.