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County, partners to conduct Point-in-Time Count on Jan. 30

(The photo above was taken at a recent cleanup of an encampment in Malaga.)

 

Chelan County and community partners will conduct the annual Homeless Point in Time Count from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Jan. 30.

New this year, there will be three locations where the Point in Time Count will be hosted to better identify people living unhoused in the more rural communities and parts of Chelan and Douglas counties. Resource fair events will be held at Lighthouse Christian Ministries in Wenatchee, the Chelan County Fire District 3 station on Chumstick Highway in Leavenworth and Chelan Valley Hope in Chelan.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development and Washington State Commerce task communities annually with administering a survey to the unhoused population. The information gathered from people experiencing homelessness on the day of the event is used to demonstrate the need for homeless housing services in the community and across the nation, said Amber Hallberg, Chelan County Community Services manager and a co-coordinator of the outreach event.

The 2024 Point in Time Count recorded 141 people living unsheltered, meaning they were living outdoors, in a vehicle or RV, in an abandoned building, or in a tent or other outdoor area not meant for habitation. This was an increase of 20 people from the 2023 event. In addition, 341 people were recorded staying in emergency shelters, transitional housing programs or in a hotel through an emergency hotel/motel voucher program. This was a decrease of 27 people from the 2023 survey.

“This is an important day for data collection to better understand the need in the community, but it is also an important day to try and connect more people to the resources available in our community,” Hallberg said.

Surveys conducted by outreach teams aim to collect information on a person’s living situation, including how long someone has been without a permanent home, where they sleep, where they are from, and if they were denied access to a shelter or would go to a shelter if available. Demographic questions are also asked.

When a person completes a survey, they receive a backpack containing gloves, socks, hand warmers, hygiene products, food and more.

In addition to the centralized events, staff from various nonprofits who work with the unhoused population and some community volunteers will be going throughout Chelan and Douglas counties to speak to people on the street and provide resources. Outreach teams will be visiting new locations in more rural parts of the county to identify any people living in tents, cars or RVs. Areas will include Orondo, Entiat, Rock Island, Plain, Cashmere, Peshastin, and Dryden.

Chelan Valley Hope in Chelan will cover the Chelan Valley and Northern Douglas County and Upper Valley MEND in Leavenworth will cover the Cascade School District service area and Cashmere. Wenatchee and East Wenatchee outreach will be covered by multiple agencies from within the two cities.

The Columbia Valley Community Health Mobile Clinic also will be on site at Lighthouse Christian Ministries to provide access to medical professionals for people needing medical, mental health and substance use disorder services.

The local Point in Time event allows housing services providers and other service-based non-profits an opportunity to communicate directly with people in need of their services while providing resources or even enrolling people in programs on the spot.

“Last year, there were 22 agencies represented at the event at the Lighthouse. We anticipate seeing the same amount, if not a few more, providers at this year’s event,” Hallberg said. “This is our third year participating in the Point in Time Count, and we continue to improve upon how we reach the people who need our services the most.”

Last Updated: 01/07/2025 03:27 PM

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  • 14
    Feb 2025
    09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

    Public Meeting: Public Canvassing Board Meetings

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

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    Feb 2025
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    Monthly Drop-Off Saturday - Feb. 1, 2025

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    Drop-off Saturday at the Moderate Risk Waste Facility is Feb. 1.

    Chelan County Moderate Risk Waste Facility