Resident urges broader use of homeless resources; county officials say talks with state continue

A Lewis County resident told commissioners on July 22 that the county should broaden how it defines and spends homeless-services funds to reach people with housing insecurity who are not visibly unsheltered.

"Homelessness is more than just being without a home," Lisa Stridinger Hubbard said during public comment. She described young people "aging up into adults living on couches," families pushed from homes after sales, and people living in cars. Hubbard said local resource programs she refers callers to are sometimes unable to help.

Hubbard urged commissioners to consider changing how the county allocates homeless and housing resources so they can help families and individuals at risk of losing housing before they become unsheltered. "We shouldn't have to get out to the street to a corner to be able to get help," she said.

Later in the meeting a member of the press asked about a recent article and an apparent dispute over whether the Washington State Department of Commerce would accept a partial award of consolidated homeless grant funds. The chair replied that U.S. Sen. Braun and state Rep. Arbarno were working with Commerce and that "there's more to come on that," without providing further details. The county did not announce a final decision or next formal step at the July 22 meeting.

No motions or votes resulted directly from the public comment. Commissioners did not adopt policy changes at the meeting; staff and elected officials were urged by speakers to review how resources are targeted and to consider outreach to people experiencing hidden homelessness.