Sleep Center FAQ – March 21, 2024

Why is a sleep center needed in Ellensburg and Kittitas County?

Levels of unsheltered persons nationwide and our community have risen steadily over the past years and decades. Neither the City nor County have historically provided emergency shelter space for unsheltered persons. HopeSource, the County's designated Community Action Agency, does provide emergency shelter housing for qualifying persons and families, although availability is limited.

As a result of increases in the unsheltered population over the years, the Kittitas Valley Ministerial Association (KVMA) began operating a Cold Weather Shelter (CWS) in 2015, KVMA has indicated for a few years now that it cannot sustain continued operation of the CWS due to a variety of factors including difficulty coordinating a sufficient number of volunteers, conflict with church usage schedules and finding qualified managers each year.

Against this background, legal cases from the federal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals (Martin v. Boise) have impacted local government's ability to regulate the camping of unsheltered persons on public property. As a result, people cannot be prevented from camping on public property unless there is adequate shelter space available for the person as an alternative to camping. As a result of a recent Washington Supreme Court case, there is also uncertainty about removing recreational or other vehicles being used for habitation from public lots or right-of-way.

Providing suitable emergency shelter can help people experiencing homelessness access with transitional housing and other services. Health outcomes are better for people with stable housing and a low-barrier shelter is often a first step.

Isn’t the Cold Weather Shelter enough?

The KVMA has been operating an overnight Cold Weather Shelter in Ellensburg for the past nine years, open from mid-November to mid-March rotating across several local churches and managed by various non-profit agencies over the years. The CWS is an overnight shelter operating from 7 pm to 7 am from approximately mid-November to mid-March utilizing volunteers in the community for staffing along with a paid manager.

The KVMA has indicated for a few years now that it cannot sustain continued operation of the Cold Weather Shelter due to a variety of factors including difficulty coordinating enough volunteers, conflict with church usage schedules, and finding qualified managers each year. Additionally, this model is not adequate to accommodate the needs of a year-round sleep center.

The Kittitas Valley Ministerial Association (KVMA) has been operating an overnight Cold Weather Shelter in Ellensburg for the past nine years, open from November to March rotating across several local churches and managed by various non-profit agencies over the years. KVMA has indicated for a few years now that it cannot sustain continued operation of the Cold Weather Shelter due to a variety of factors including difficulty coordinating enough volunteers, conflict with church usage schedules, and finding qualified managers each year. Additionally, this modal is not adequate to accommodate the needs of a year-round sleep center. Neither the City nor County have historically provided emergency shelter space for unsheltered persons. HopeSource, the County's designated Community Action Agency, does provide emergency shelter housing for qualifying persons and families, although availability is limited.

How many people use the Cold Weather Shelter?

Over the past two seasons of operations, a range of 4 to 20 people have used the cold weather shelter on a given night. The average for 2022-2023 was about 13 people per night for a total of nearly 1,300 bed nights and the average for 2023-2024 was about 10 people per night for more than 1,100 bed nights. Cold weather shelter organizers note that use varies based on weather conditions. More than 70 volunteers completed nearly 700 shifts during the 2023-2024 season.

What have City and County officials done to date?

As a result of increased numbers of people experiencing homelessness and community concerns regarding camping on both public and private property, a City-County Joint Study Session on "Homelessness Issues in Our Courts" was held in December 2021. This was followed by the creation of an Ad Hoc Committee on Homelessness in January 2022 by the City with representatives from the City, County, the Kittitas Valley Ministerial Association (KVMA), non-profit organizations, behavioral health providers and others to regularly meet and discuss pathways to assist our unsheltered community in the City and County. In April 2022, the Committee visited the Moses Lake Sleep Center to gather information on its formation and operation. The Committee subsequently recommended the City and County establish an overnight, year-round sleep center.

The City and County retained ECONorthwest in May 2023 to assist in the search for an adequate site to be used as a year-round overnight sleep center and also provide a report on the likely capital and operating costs associated with operating an overnight sleep shelter. ECONorthwest worked with the Joint Ad Hoc Committee on Homelessness to develop site selection and operating criteria.

ECONorthwest completed its initial Feasibility Analysis Report in November 2023, and presented it to the Ad Hoc Committee on January 7, 2024, which included discussion of two possible sites for a sleep center.

Subsequently, the City and HopeSource reached an agreement in principle for HopeSource to lease a portion of the large 4.8-acre parcel where the old Nites Inn is located to the City for use as a sleep center. More information is available in the Sleep Center Feasibility Study Report.

Who is working on issues surrounding Homelessness in the community?

An Ad Hoc Committee on Homelessness was established in January 2022 to explore services and needs to ensure the growing concerns around the increase in people experiencing homelessness in our community were addressed. An important gap identified was a lack of year-round overnight shelter facilities to allow enforcement of public camping regulations and provide better access to services. The Committee recommended construction of an overnight sleep center—a model used by other Central and Eastern Washington communities—to provide this shelter. Both the Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners and the Ellensburg City Council approved the concept at their respective meetings in July 2022.

What is a sleep center?

Based on examples from Walla Walla and Moses Lake, Ellensburg is considering establishing an overnight “sleep center” to provide shelter space. Typically, these sleep centers are located on vacant lots with units, such as small sheds or Conestoga-style huts, which can house one to two persons depending on the situation. The site will include mobile administration and shared restroom/shower facilities as well.

In addition to providing a safe sleeping space protected from the elements, the goal of these facilities is to provide information and connections for “wrap around” services for guests to address their employment, behavioral health, and substance abuse issues. The City and its partners hope to utilize the sleep center to help transition folks experiencing homelessness to more permanent housing solutions.

The individual units provide privacy, safety and dignity and have less risk of spreading communicable diseases (like COVID) compared to a congregate (large room) shelter design.

What is the proposed sleep center concept for Ellensburg?

The City of Ellensburg proposes a year-round operation that would be open from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. (or thereabout) daily. We would begin with up to 25 individual shelters (some of which could accommodate couples) and consider adding two shelter units per year based on need and use. Shelters will have heating and cooling to protect guests from extreme temperatures experienced in Ellensburg during the winter and summer months.

The sleep center will have a larger unit or trailer to be used as staff offices and check-in area for guests. The City and County are also interested in investing in on-site bathroom and shower units. Ideally, the operation would provide dinner and breakfast to guests, provide secure areas for overnight storage, and have community areas for meals, activities, and socializing.

Other priorities discussed during stakeholder interviews also included on-site laundry area, kitchenette, shade structures, landscaping, a community garden, a pet area, and/ or internet for guests.

What did the Sleep Center Feasibility Analysis Report tell us?

The Sleep Center Feasibility Analysis Report helped the City and County estimate costs to improve utilities and based on different types of housing structures. It also estimates operational costs of operating a staffed facility for 10 years and the cost to add shelters if necessary.

What sites are being considered for a sleep center?

Over the past two years, members and staff of the City-County Joint Ad Hoc Committee on Homelessness have been reviewing alternative sites for a Sleep Center, including all publicly owned parcels within the City and Urban Growth Area boundaries.

In 2022, HopeSource acquired the former Nites Inn motel utilizing City and Kittitas County affordable housing funds and has begun work converting it into apartments for those transitioning out of homelessness. That work is scheduled for completion by the end of 2024. The former motel is located at 1200 South Ruby Street and sits on a 4.8-acre site. Given the site size and location of the former motel on the site, there is additional space for the Sleep Center. Indoor emergency shelters are permitted in the Neighborhood Center-Mixed Use zone for this property.

The Ellensburg City Council Considered a Letter of Understanding (LOU) between the City and HopeSource at the March 4, 2024 City Council meeting. After hearing from community members, the City Council requested community members submit additional site ideas for Council consideration.

Criteria for a feasible site include:

1. Located within Ellensburg City limits
2. Available for lease or purchase my May 1, 2024
3. Zoning – appropriate for Indoor Emergency Shelters
4. Minimum of 1.25 acres
5. Must be accessible by public transportation

The 1.25-acre requirement was established based on planned configuration of individual shelter buildings, restroom and administration facilities, fire and emergency services access and the potential for expansion needs. This size requirement is also based on examples from similar sized communities across Washington State.

Community members can submit site ideas on this page before April 15, 2024.

Who is on the Joint City/County Ad Hoc Committee on Homelessness?

Members participated in varying degrees throughout the year including: City Councilmember (Mayor Lillquist) and staff from various departments (City Manager’s Office, Police and Planning staff); Commissioner Osiadacz (now Wachsmith) and staff; Sheriff’s Office; Kittitas County Public Health; Roslyn Councilmember Brodine; Kittitas Valley Ministerial Association; HopeSource; Kittitas County Habitat for Humanity; Kittitas Valley Health Network; Comprehensive Healthcare; and Merit Resources.

A business representative and two additional Ellensburg City Councilmembers will join the Ad Hoc Committee to evaluate alternative sites for the Sleep Center in April/May 2024.

Where can I find more information about the Sleep Center proposal?

Once a location and funding are identified, the City will issue a request for proposals to select an organization to staff and operate the center. The City and its selected operational partner, with input from experienced Ad Hoc Committee members (like Kittitas Valley Ministerial Association and HopeSource), will develop operational policies and procedures such as intake screening, coordination of additional services and safety procedures.

Would there be staff and security onsite?

A combination of operations and/or security personnel would be onsite during operating hours. In addition, the city aspires to eventually co-locate additional service opportunities for clients by hosting providers from other community services organizations on-site during designate A minimum of two staff people, as well as security personnel, would be onsite during operating hours. In addition, the City aspires to eventually co-locate additional service opportunities for clients by hosting providers from other community services organizations on-site during designated hours each week. The site would be fenced and only accessible to guests who check in to stay overnight.

How will the City and County fund the sleep center?

Once the City selects a site, we will be able to apply for funding to help meet this emergency shelter need. There are federal and state grant opportunities that may supplement County and City funds designated to address homelessness and affordable housing needs.

Will guests be allowed to bring their pets?

One of the advantages of a non-congregate (individual building) shelter design is that it is more accessible to people who do not want to leave their pets outside.

The City and operational partner will decide if the facility can accommodate pets when they establish site policies. If the facility decides to admit pets, it will have a pet policy for safety and cleanliness for all guests and staff.

Can people who stay in emergency shelters get housing?

The goal of Kittitas County’s five-year Homeless and Affordable Housing Plan is to “make homelessness rare, brief, and a one-time event”. According to Washington State Department of Commerce statistics, 84 percent of emergency shelter clients (using organized consolidated entry programs) transitioned to permanent housing solutions. Linking an overnight shelter with additional services can help some guests to connect with housing solutions.

Would the Sleep Center house families?

Families with children are currently prioritized for emergency housing units. This practice will continue; the Sleep Center is intended only for adults experiencing homelessness.

What is homelessness?

According to the Kittitas County Public Health Department, homelessness is defined as “a person that has no permanent home”. This description can include people without a place to reside, people in persistent poverty, forced to move constantly, and who are homeless for even brief periods of time and people who have lost their housing due to personal, social, or environmental circumstances.

There are generally three categories of homelessness:

Chronic homelessness describes when people are homeless greater than a year, or experience four episodes in the previous two years of individual with a disabling condition

Intermittent homelessness describes when people are cycling in and out of homelessness or experiencing episodes of homelessness alternating with housing and institutional care (jails, hospitals, treatment programs).

Crisis homelessness describes when people are homeless once or twice (less than a year) due to an unexpected crisis such as job loss, divorce, or eviction.

Why do people become homeless?

Examples of events that can lead people to become homeless include:

Chronically Homeless

• Mental health problems
• Substance use disorders
• Physical health problems
• History of criminal justice system
• Older age (44 years and older)

Crisis Homelessness

• Loss of a loved one
• Divorce
• Eviction
• Loss of employment
• Domestic Violence

Source: Kittitas County Public Health Department

A 2017 report by the Washington State Department of Commerce shows that increasing rents is the largest driver of homelessness.

How many people experience homelessness in Ellensburg?

According to the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, coordinated by the Washington Department of Commerce, the state saw a 21% increase in the number of unsheltered people between 2022-2023 (excluding King County). The count identified about 35 individuals in emergency shelters or transitional housing and less than 11 unsheltered individuals in Kittitas County. Preliminary data from the recently completed 2024 PIT Count for Kittitas County included 63 persons living in emergency shelters and 38 unsheltered person (this year’s data will be finalized across the state the third quarter).

PIT counts offer a snapshot of how a community or region might be grappling with homelessness. The count is conducted on a single day in a month where temperatures are likely to be extremely low in many places across the U.S. following standards established by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). While the numbers reflected in the PIT for Kittitas County might appear low, it is likely that the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in the County was undercounted.

Kittitas County Point In Time (PIT) Census Results

Last Two Years

Source: HopeSource 2024
* 2024 data is considered “preliminary” until published by Washington State Department of Commerce.
The category of “Sheltered” includes people that used the Seasonal Cold Weather Shelter and those people who reside in vehicles.

Why are so many people experiencing homelessness?

HopeSource provided several factors that may be correlated with the increase in people experiencing Homelessness over the past few years:

1. COVID Related Economic insecurity: The eviction moratorium, coupled with rent assistance through emergency rental assistance programs (ERAP), allowed many households to maintain housing due to financial instability. The end ERAP has left many individuals and families vulnerable to eviction. We are working to identify what number of the individuals identified as homeless were former ERAP clients.
2. Inflation and Cost of Living: Escalating inflation rates and the soaring cost of living have created additional strain on households already grappling with financial insecurity. The rising cost of housing, coupled with stagnant wages, has made it increasingly difficult for people to afford stable housing.
3. Job Insecurity and Wages: In our community, there is a lack of thriving wage employment, this paired with the increasing housing and living costs, have made it nearly impossible for minimum wage workers to maintain housing without support.
4. Affordable Housing Shortage: The scarcity of affordable housing options remains a continual challenge in our community. Affordable housing developers and funding sources are unable to keep pace with the growing demand, leaving many individuals and families without viable housing solutions.
   
   The figure below shows the percentage of rent burdened low-income households for counties in Washington State. Kittitas County has one of the highest percentages of rent burden for low-income households in the state. A household is considered rent burned if they spend more than 30% of household income on rent and basic utilities or severely rent-burdened if they spend more than 50%. A household is considered low-income at less than 80% of the area median income; in 2023 this meant less than $72,000 for a household of four people
   

   Source: Pathways to Housing Security Report (WSU Ruckelshaus Center)

5. Discontinuation of Support Programs: The Emergency Services Grant COVID-19 ended in the third quarter of last year, reducing HopeSource's capacity to support with Rapid Rehousing, Homeless Prevention and Outreach services. The discontinuation of the County's Rapid Rehousing (RRH) program, which provided 13 vouchers to individuals experiencing homelessness, has further strained available resources for those in need.

What Is The Point In Time (PIT) Census?

The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires all organizations that coordinate care for homeless populations to participate to understand how many unsheltered people are in their communities and how many are staying in shelters and transitional housing. The data is used to allocate resources to assist people experiencing homelessness.

What are the public health implications of homelessness?

Homelessness is closely connected to declines in physical and mental health, including conditions such as:

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS)
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis C
• Alcohol use
• Substance use disorder
• Tuberculosis
• Diabetes and complications
• Severe Mental Illness
• Risk of mortality higher than the general population

Homelessness also creates challenges for managing chronic health conditions such as proper medication storage, access to handwashing facilities and poor nutrition.

These challenges contribute to:

• Higher rates of emergency department (ED) use leading to higher costs for treatment
• After ED discharge, return to the streets and the conditions worsening their health
• Repeat ED use. Three times more likely to return to the same ED within three days of a visit, and twice as likely to use an ED within one week of a hospitalization

Source: Kittitas County Public Health Department

What strategies and solutions do communities have to help people experiencing homelessness?

Emergency shelter is only part of a community’s response to homelessness. Other housing interventions include eviction assistance, crisis housing, halfway housing and maintaining low-income housing.

Additional service needs include medical treatment, case management, mental health services and resources to support independent living.

Emergency shelters or emergency housing can be a first step to connecting with additional services.

What is a low barrier shelter?

A low barrier emergency shelter typically does not require any of the following for a guest to stay at the shelter: (i) criminal background checks, (ii) credit checks or income verification, (iii) program participation, (iv) sobriety, or (v) identification.

Low barrier shelters do have intake procedures and enforce safety requirements for self, staff, place, and others.

Will a sleep center bring more homeless people to Ellensburg?

Research shows that is not happening in Cities that are operating similar programs in their areas. For example, Walla Walla has been operating a Sleeping Center for 5 years and they have seen zero increase in their unsheltered populations coming from areas outside of Walla Walla.

What is the cost of homelessness to communities?

A 2018 study (by endhomelessness.org), bringing together 22 different cost studies, showed that a chronically homeless person costs the taxpayer an average of $35,578 per year. Costs on average are reduced by 49.5% when people are placed in shelter. Washington State stands to benefit from cost savings more than any other state, saving $39,772 per person, per year. This figure has surely increased over the last six years.

What are some resources to learn more about homelessness and the plans for the sleep center?

Ellensburg and Kittitas County:

Kittitas County Homeless and Affordable Housing Plan (five-year plan finalized 2019)

Ellensburg Sleep Center Feasibility Analysis Report

Kittitas County Public Health Department - Homelessness and Public Health

Washington State:
Pathways to Housing Security Final Report – WSU Ruckelshaus Center (more about this project)

Homelessness in Washington Annual Report 2022

Washington Department of Commerce: Why is homelessness increasing (2017)

National:

National Alliance to End Homelessness – Emergency shelter learning series