Yakima County discusses reforms for homeless coalition funding processes

Yakima City Council members engaged in a critical discussion on March 4, 2025, focusing on the funding and management of local homelessness services. The meeting highlighted concerns about the current funding process, which channels city funds through the county to various service providers, including Neighborhood Health and Union Gospel Mission. Council member Berg raised questions about how these providers are compensated, emphasizing the need for transparency in the funding process.

The council learned that the county, not the city, manages the distribution of funds to providers, with a reimbursement model in place. This means that providers must incur costs and submit documentation for reimbursement, ensuring that funds are used appropriately. However, concerns were voiced about the complexity of the application process for funding and the disconnect between scoring applications and actual funding decisions.

Mayor Byers and other council members expressed the need for reforms to improve the effectiveness of the homelessness coalition and its funding strategies. They acknowledged that the current system has not met community expectations and emphasized the importance of structural changes to enhance accountability and transparency. The council is considering a resolution aimed at addressing these issues and ensuring that future funding aligns with community needs.

The discussion also touched on the representation of elected officials in the decision-making process, with calls for more direct involvement from city representatives to ensure that the voices of all communities are heard. As the council moves forward, the focus will be on creating a more effective and transparent system for addressing homelessness in Yakima, with the goal of developing a five-year plan that the entire community can support.