Whatcom County is taking feedback on how it should address homelessness over the next five years.
The county’s Housing Advisory Committee will develop a plan over several months that will shape how homeless resources will be used from 2026 to 2030. A draft plan will be available for public feedback by Sept. 11, with a presentation to Whatcom County Council for approval in November.
Members of the public can now fill out a community feedback survey, which asks for opinions on what the county’s objectives in addressing homelessness should be.
“At this stage we want input on the main objectives, like how we balance short-term or long-term housing strategies, prevention versus serving people who are already homeless, and how to make sure that there is equity in terms of making the system fair and putting our resources where they’ll do the most good,” said Chris D’Onofrio, Housing Program Supervisor in a news release issued Tuesday, Feb. 18.
“We really want to understand the community’s housing priorities because that will help us put our focus on the right things. We can’t do everything with the resources we have, so we need to hear what is most important to the people of Whatcom County.”
The county’s homelessness Point in Time count in January 2024 recorded 846 individuals and 671 households experiencing homelessness, although more than 1,000 households sought support from the Coordinated Entry Housing Pool in 2023.
Over the last year, the county has grappled with how to best address homelessness, from its severe weather shelter to talks about a year-round, county-operated shelter. At the same time, two heavily populated encampments in Bellingham were cleared after public safety concerns.
Interested members of the public can also provide public comment to the Whatcom County Housing Advisory Committee and Whatcom County Council. Sign up for updates on the plan’s development and engagement opportunities at this link.
Charlotte Alden is CDN’s general assignment/enterprise reporter; reach her at charlottealden@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 123.
