Achieving Functional Zero homelessness.
Functional Zero Homelessness is a goal to end homelessness in a way that is measurable, equitable, and sustainable. It is a dynamic metric that seeks to keep homelessness rare and brief.
That goal is achieved with a coordinated and collaborative support network of outreach, shelter, and supportive services systems that provide quick and easy to access to personal and housing stability.
It is estimated that in greater King County there are more than 16,800 people experiencing homelessness. Of those people, nearly 60% are unsheltered.
(Reference: KCRHA Point-in-Time report)
Development of an East King County homelessness plan.
Homelessness crosses city boundaries and political districts. It impacts people throughout the region, and any solutions need to be coordinated with King County and among the cities of the Eastside.
The Bellevue Foundation is collaborating with local governments, service providers, and a broad spectrum of other community stakeholders, to advance the development and implementation of a formal comprehensive plan to specifically address homelessness in East King County (also known as the East King County Subregional Plan).
With agreement from King County Regional Housing Authority (KCRHA), The Bellevue Foundation is pursuing a role as a lead organization to partner with homeless services providers, municipal governments, businesses, residents, faith communities, and people who have experienced homelessness, to create and implement this plan.
The plan will address several key areas including:
- Coordination of community outreach
- Centralized data sharing and reporting
- Strengthening service provider collaboration
- Resource alignment and advocacy
- Workforce and provider wellness
- Actions to increase diversion and housing resources
- Support for affordable housing solutions
- Establish client-centered and equitable outcomes
- Severe weather response and emergency coordination
We have been conducting research and soliciting community input, and a draft plan framework is being advanced with KCRHA. Further steps will include ramping up engagement with stakeholders in the community and working with government agencies to refine and deploy the plan.
A wide-ranging and universally adopted plan will drive a more coordinated and effective approach to supporting people experiencing homelessness.
Seeking solutions to ease youth homelessness.
The Bellevue Foundation is a key member of a regional effort to improve King County’s homelessness response system that serves youth and young adults. The work is part of a pilot project based on the Built for Zero initiative (a national movement originated by Community Solutions), that seeks to create a lasting end to homelessness.
The Bellevue Foundation is a member of the System Mapping and Gap Analysis work group whose goal is to identify how youth and young adults currently enter, move through, and exit the homelessness response system.
Young people often interact with different resources, including schools, shelters, a friend’s home, or temporary programs, and may not appear in standard data systems. They may also face unique eligibility barriers, fall into service gaps based on age or geography, or avoid the system entirely due to past negative experiences.
We are assessing what is already in place and what is missing, so that future decisions are based on consistent, person-level data. The group is identifying service gaps, looking at coverage by region, age group, eligibility, and service type, and examining how King County’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) can improve to support real-time, person-specific decision-making.
The Bellevue Foundation joins a broad coalition of stakeholders including the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA), Community Solutions, Inc., Raikes Foundation, Schultz Family Foundation, Campion Advocacy Fund, and many other youth services providers. We are proud to be part of this process and to contribute to a regional effort that’s thoughtful, collaborative, and focused on building lasting solutions.
Regional programs and resources available:
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