The Network at Work Two objectives drive the actions of the Homeless Network of Yakima County: increasing affordable shelter alternatives for people who are homeless and raising the visibility of this need to the community at large. The Network combines special events and activities with the ongoing work of its committees in working to realize these objectives. Activities and Events Barbecue Each September the Network sponsors a barbecue to raise local awareness of the need for solutions to hunger and homelessness. Attendance at the barbecue includes several hundred people who are homeless and their advocates as well as local elected leaders. Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week In 2007, the Homeless Network of Yakima County collaborated with the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger in sponsoring National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Network chair Beth Dannhardt accepted proclamations designating Nov. 11 – 17, 2007, as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in the City of Yakima and Yakima County. Midweek, the Network hosted The Last Barbecue of the Season at Connections, providing the homeless and their friends with grilled hotdogs and all the trimmings. Homeless Persons' Memorial Day Every Dec. 21 - the longest night of the year -  the Network leads an outdoor Homeless Persons' Memorial Day Vigil. The program includes reading names of local people who died homeless during the year. Those in attendance have the opportunity to share personal anecdotes. Project Homeless Connect The Network held its first Project Homeless Connect on Jan. 29, 2009, in conjunction with the Fifth Annual Point In Time (PIT) Survey.The purpose of National Project Homeless Connect is to bring communities together to create and promote tangible solutions that remedy the homelessness of their neighbors.  For more information, see the Project Homeless Connect website.  Committees Executive The Network's Executive Committee meets on the second Thursday of the month to oversee planning and coordination of the Network's special events and ongoing activities. Homeless Management Information System The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Steering Committee meets on the third Monday of each month to guide and review the development of the Network's HMIS system. 2060 In 2002, Washington State Legislature passed SB 2060, the goal of which is to assist in the development and preservation of affordable low-income housing to address critical local housing needs. The 2060 Affordable Housing Ad Hoc Committee was created to provide guiding principles to the Yakima County Board of Commissioners about how to best use the available funds from this legislation. HUD-McKinney In 1994, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) introduced the Continuum of Care (COC) model which encourages communities to envision, organize, and plan comprehensive, long-term solutions to homelessness. The HUD McKinney Ad Hoc committee meets to review applications for renewals and new applications for the Yakima County HUD-McKinney grant. Point In Time Survey The Point in Time (PIT) Ad Hoc Committee develops and implements a plan to count the number of homeless people and available shelters in Yakima County on a single day, in accordance with HUD and state Department of Commerce criteria. Projects Yakima Valley Community Land Trust The Yakima Valley Community Land Trust is a next step in the Continuum of Care. The land trust exists to help low-income individuals build assets and invest in themselves and their community through the creation and maintenance of affordable home ownership opportunities throughout Yakima County. Emergency Fund Description TBA. Extreme Winter Weather Shelter Program In the winter of 2006/2007, the Network developed an Extreme Winter Weather Shelter Program in local churches to provide overnight accommodations for people who are homeless. The program operates from December through the end of March. Homeless Grant Assistance Program The purpose of the Homeless Grant Assistance Program (HGAP) is to provide low-barrier permanent housing with support services and comprehensive case management to at least 87 homeless individuals. The program will reach out to homeless individuals living on the streets or leaving institutions, assess their needs, and move them directly into housing. In addition, six beds will be reserved for respite care for homeless persons with medical conditions requiring specialized care. Homeless Resource Center Description TBA. Wapato Shelter The Wapato Homeless Shelter, known as Noah's Ark, is a drop-in center and shelter for chronically homeless single men and women in the Wapato area.  Noah's Ark began serving homeless individuals in the later part of 2007 by providing a daytime shelter and food for up to 30 individuals a day.  In February 2008, the shelter began housing up to 20 individuals overnight. Washington Families Fund  The Washington Families Fund (WFF) grant, as implemented by Yakima County - Department of Community Services, Triumph Treatment Services, Yakima Neighborhood Health Services, and the YWCA, provides intensive case management and services for approximately 79 families. The main goal of this project is to provide families with the advanced life skills to seek and retain employment, and subsequently achieve an increased, stable income. YWCA Shelter The YWCA Family Shelter can house up to 14 families for up to 28 days while providing case management and other supportive services to help them transition to more permanent housing.