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Homelessness Prevention & Assistance Programs

This page provides an overview of homelessness in Washington State, including examples of local government homelessness prevention and assistance programs, coordination efforts at the state and regional levels, and other recommended resources.  

MRSC also offers pages with information on Homeless Shelter and Housing Options and the Regulation of Unauthorized Camping, Loitering, and Solicitation of Aid

Overview

Homelessness individuals do not have stable or reliable residences. This means they are without a fixed nighttime residence and may sleep in a temporary accommodation, or in a place that is not designated specifically for human habitation. Although the term “homeless” has been commonly used to refer to individuals living under these conditions, several alternative identifiers have been presented recently as preferred terms including “person experiencing homelessness," a “houseless" person, or “unhoused" individual. 

The Washington State Department of Commerce acts as the main coordinator of local and state-level homeless programs and resources through its Homelessness Response programs and the Office of Homeless Youth. As well as providing funding, guidance, and technical assistance to local communities, Commerce also coordinates the point-in-time count of persons experiencing homelessness in the state and tracks and reports progress on reducing homelessness in conjunction with local jurisdictions. MRSC recommends contacting this agency regarding any homeless prevention efforts.

Local governments can address homelessness by either preventing individuals from becoming homeless or assisting those who are currently experiencing homelessness.

Prevention involves identifying and connecting with those at risk and providing assistance. Helping individuals experiencing homelessness usually entails providing them with some type of safe shelter/housing and needed services to address the reasons why they are unsheltered.

Key Contributors to Homelessness

The Homeless Housing Strategic Plan (2024-29) from the State Advisory Council on Homelessness run by the Department of Commerce identifies a lack of available affordable housing as the primary cause of homelessness in Washington.

Additional causes of homelessness vary widely, but include:

  • Evictions
  • Unemployment
  • Substance abuse
  • Interpersonal conflict
  • Mental health

In 2017, the Seattle Human Services Department released the results of a 2016 survey of 1,050 people living outside and in public shelters to further understand their situations and needs, and to better inform the city’s responses to homelessness. Survey responses confirmed that affordable housing availability, substance abuse, and mental health issues are key contributors to homelessness. Additionally, the survey showed that homelessness affects Black/African Americans, Latinos/Hispanics, Native Americans, and the LGBTQ community disproportionately.

Homelessness Prevention Efforts

The most effective way to address homelessness is through prevention. Studies have shown that it is more difficult for individuals that were once unsheltered to find permanent housing and, therefore, may be more likely to experience homelessness again in the future (see this case study from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health).

Often, this is accomplished through governmental programs, prevention results in fewer individuals being displaced from their current residences. Some of these programs, for example, provide emergency or short-term rental assistance, helping to keep individuals in their current homes.

From a public investment perspective, homelessness prevention efforts have some of the lowest costs per successful exit per household (see Cost of Shelter and Housing per Intervention section below). However, prevention can often be difficult to execute, given the complexity in trying to identify individuals at risk of experiencing homelessness.

Using Data to Identify At-Risk Individuals

One way to utilize data for homelessness prevention is through a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Washington formally established a Homeless Management Information System through RCW 43.185C.180 that provides municipalities with data needed to identify those at risk of experiencing homelessness. An HMIS is an electronic record system that enables information-gathering about and continuous case management of homeless persons across agencies in particular jurisdictions (city, county, and/or state). State- and federally-funded service providers use HMIS to collect and manage data from providing housing assistance to individuals and households.

Prevention Programs

Below are prevention programs from the Washington State Department of Commerce:

Prevention Guidebook

The below resource is from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Policy Development and Research:

Shelters and Housing Options for People Experiencing Homelessness

In order to provide a place to reside for individuals who are currently experiencing homelessness, municipalities and counties can offer many different types of shelter and housing options, often in partnership with nonprofit organizations. These options can range from providing night-by-night shelters to long-term places to live.

Below is a list of the most common shelter and housing options. For a more detailed list, including examples, see MRSC’s page on Homeless Shelter and Housing Options.

  • Emergency Shelters: A facility that provides a temporary shelter for individuals or families. Emergency shelters may not require occupants to enter into a lease or an occupancy agreement. These term may also be used to describe day and warming centers that do not provide overnight accommodations (RCW 36.70A.030).
  • Emergency Housing: Temporary indoor accommodations for individuals or families who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless that is intended to address the basic health, food, clothing, and personal hygiene needs of individuals or families. Emergency housing may or may not require occupants to enter into a lease or an occupancy agreement (RCW 36.70A.030).
  • Transitional Housing: A facility that provides housing and supportive services to homeless individuals or families for up to two years and whose primary purpose is enabling homeless individuals or families to move into independent living and permanent housing (RCW 84.36.043 and WAC 458-16-320).
  • Permanent Supportive Housing: Subsidized, leased housing with no limit on length of stay that prioritizes people who need comprehensive support services to retain tenancy. This type of housing has lower barriers to entry than typical subsidized or unsubsidized rental housing, especially related to rental history, criminal history, and personal behaviors (RCW 36.70A.030).

Cost of Shelter and Housing Per Intervention

Counties are required to report all expenditures for homeless housing projects by funding source (RCW 43.185C.045). The table below is taken from Commerce's 2023 Annual Report on Homelessness and is included here to give a rough estimate of the cost of shelter, housing, and prevention options. Commerce combines data from the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) data to arrive at cost per day and cost per exit totals shown in the table below. This is not, however, a complete list of options on which Commerce collects data.

In the chart below, each shelter and housing type has an associated cost. These cost considerations can also be analyzed alongside the level of care and quality of experience typically seen in these facilities. However, it should be noted that preventative measures are by far the most cost-effective way to address homelessness.

  Emergency Shelter Transitional Housing Rapid Rehousing Homeless Prevention
Total Expenditures $43,761,017 $12,271,867 $71,577,815 $843,959
Cost per day per household $53.95 $3.82 $43.21 $0.69
Cost per successful exit per household $153,283 $5,092 $21,332 $2,397

Source: Washington State Department of Commerce’s 2023 Annual Report on Homelessness.

State and Local Homelessness Prevention Planning Coordination

Under the requirements of the Washington Homelessness Housing and Assistance Act (Ch. 43.185C RCW), and in order to qualify for most funding sources, counties must complete a five-year plan to address homelessness in their communities, which usually involves a cooperative plan between city and county governments together with local nonprofits, businesses, and faith communities. The act does allow cities to independently opt-in to the planning process. Spokane is the only city to have done so (Spokane 5-Year Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness).

Examples of County Plans

For additional examples of countywide plans, including those with partnership/coordination approaches (as discussed below), see the Department of Commerce page on County Plans and Annual Reports.

Regional Homelessness Prevention Planning Coordination

Homelessness is often a regional challenge with workable solutions that often extend beyond the boundaries and resources of most local governments, so many planning and implementation efforts take place at the county level. Typically, city and county governments work with and through nonprofits and housing authorities, both to build and operate facilities and administer related programs for the homeless. Money may come from a variety of sources, including federal, state, county, city, and private funding. Building a regional network of partners and stakeholders is critical for a successful plan.

Examples of County Plans with Partnership Approaches

Recommended Resources


Last Modified: January 02, 2026