The CEH

The Committee to End Homelessness in King County was formed in 2005 and encompasses the many agencies that work with the homeless. The Committee started out with a 10-year plan to eradicate homelessness from the county. While some significant progress was made in providing additional housing the Committee didnt get even close to their goal. In fact... , homelessness in King County has dramatically increased since the formation of the Committee, causing the CEH to explore new options for reaching their goal. The first step the Committee is taking is a name change. Another step being taken is to have a new communications strategy. Plans are afoot to hire a communications consultant, with an estimated cost of between $50K and $75K for a 5 month contract. While the Committee is credited with making some definite improvements the rising rate of homelessness in King County is concerning stakeholders, elected officials and some members of the community. The increase in those living on the street or in temporary shelter is estimated to be as much as 21 percent, according to a count taken one night in January 2015. During the count an estimated 10,000 people were found to be homeless, equating to an increase of 8 percent compared to a count taken in 2014. Mark Putnam, director of CEH and one of three administrators, states that this change in plan is by no means an admission of defeat. In fact, the opposite is true. Putnam went on to add that the ten year goal to end homelessness in King County had been unrealistic, as the reality is that no community has ever been able to achieve 0% homelessness. Putnam advises that the County is facing a shortage in funding for short-term housing and shelters due to money being directed towards what is often referred to as permanent supportive housing and other supportive services such as job training and mental health counseling. He went on to say that there is certainly great value in providing such services but that they are expensive and do not address the needs of those living on ...Read More