On the day that the main encampment in Burien is being removed, and in response to the growing homelessness crisis, the Washington State Department of Commerce released a new five-year Homeless Housing Strategic Plan.

Developed in consultation with people experiencing homelessness, tribal representatives, local governments, and service providers, the plan outlines specific actions to strengthen the state’s homeless crisis response system. Among its key goals are adding 18,000 new emergency housing beds, improving support for service provider workforces, and better coordination between critical systems such as behavioral health, jails, and youth services.

Commerce Director Mike Fong emphasized the need for comprehensive, collaborative solutions.

“Meaningful, long-term reductions in homelessness and housing instability demand broad collaboration and data-driven solutions coming at this from every angle,” Fong said.

Key Goals of the Strategic Plan

The plan identifies immediate actions to address homelessness, including a call for 1.1 million new permanent housing units at all income levels over the next 20 years. Specifically, 200,000 units are targeted for completion within the next four years, with an additional focus on creating 90,000 non-congregate emergency housing beds, including 18,000 beds within the same period.

Commerce also highlighted the need for improvements in the homeless service provider workforce. The plan aims to support these workers by reducing high turnover rates and vacancies, which have made it difficult to deliver effective services. Additionally, the state will focus on incorporating feedback from individuals with lived experience of homelessness into program design and governance.

“This plan also pursues the affordable housing investments needed to meet the challenges of a growing state with a vibrant economy in which everyone can afford to live near job opportunities and vital services,” Fong added.

Increasing Coordination Between Systems

Another key focus of the plan is expanding coordination between homeless crisis response systems and other sectors, including behavioral health, prisons, jails, and youth services. Commerce aims to integrate health and behavioral health services directly into housing, reducing the strain on housing providers and improving stability for recipients.

Support will also be provided to ensure smoother transitions for people exiting institutional settings, such as jails, foster care, or prisons, connecting them to housing and public benefits.

Addressing Systemic Inequities

The plan places a significant emphasis on equity, transparency, and accountability in addressing homelessness. Commerce will continue efforts to reduce barriers to housing access and focus on historically marginalized communities, such as Black and Indigenous households, LGBTQ2S+ individuals, and young adults, who are disproportionately affected by homelessness.

Sheila Babb Anderson, Interim Chair of the State Advisory Council on Homelessness, applauded the plan for its focus on equity.

“The ongoing disproportionality of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) experiencing homelessness requires our state to dismantle systems that do not work for marginalized communities,” she said.

Looking Ahead

Washington state will begin working with counties to develop local five-year homeless housing plans for 2025-2030, ensuring that local solutions align with statewide goals. Commerce’s comprehensive plan highlights five main objectives: promoting an accountable and transparent crisis response system, strengthening the homeless service provider workforce, preventing homelessness, prioritizing vulnerable populations, and ensuring stable housing for everyone.

For more information about Washington’s homelessness response, visit Commerce’s website.