EPHRATA – Grant County has announced its intention to hire a strategic planning consultant to help develop its updated Homeless Housing Five-Year Strategic Plan. The deadline for proposals is 3 p.m. March 12 with a completion target for the updated plan in December 2025. 

The Homeless Housing Task Force is looking to create a new strategic plan that will detail the priorities and actions necessary to effectively tackle homelessness in Grant County over the next half-decade.  

The existing plan covered the period from 2019 to 2024, and according to Grant County Commissioner Rob Jones, a new approach is imperative, particularly in the aftermath of COVID-19.  

"The last homeless plan didn't account for COVID taking place. I mean, the world changed with COVID. So, the update is going to be pretty important," Jones said.

This updated strategic plan is part of a broader effort to engage community stakeholders, including Task Force members, the Board of Commissioners and the public, to ensure methods are developed to address the needs of those experiencing homelessness in Grant County. The county will rely on data compilation, extensive conversations and community engagement, including talking with businesses, to inform the development of the plan, according to Jones.  

"The Homeless Housing Task Force gets together to review the plan and ensure that the businesses in Grant County are following this plan so that they can help homelessness around the county as best as they can," Deputy Clerk of the Board Caitlin E. Manell said.  

The task force works to ensure various organizations working with the homeless population coordinate efforts with the overarching strategies in the five-year plan. The importance of the plan is emphasized by increased visibility in homelessness within the community, Jones said. 

Statistics show a decrease in overall homelessness based on point-in-time counts throughout the county; however, Jones noted that the prevalence of homelessness among residents is noticeably different, depending on where one is in Grant County. The problem is especially visible in Moses Lake.  

"The numbers are down, but what you see on the street and in public and vandalism seems to be up... there are not enough services and things for the amount of people that need them,” Jones said.  

The consultant will assist in compiling data, facilitating community meetings to gather feedback and drafting revisions to the existing plan, Jones said. The end goal is to coordinate among local agencies, including nonprofits and government organizations like the Grant County Housing Authority, to improve the delivery of services to those without homes.  

Manell said that the consultant will be expected to attend Task Force meetings and facilitate strategic planning. 

In response to recent challenges in addressing homelessness, the Grant County Homeless Task Force has transitioned its meetings from quarterly to monthly. This change reflects the need for more frequent discussions and actions related to housing stability, according to Jones.  

"They want to kind of start building a plan, and things seem to be going in the right direction," Jones said, noting what he feels are improved dynamics within the Task Force. 

Grant County has outlined specific qualifications for prospective consultants, including the necessity for relevant professional experience and expertise in strategic planning for local governments. Proposals will be evaluated based on their alignment with the project goals and past performance in similar work. 

Updating the Homeless Housing Five-Year Strategic Plan is important, according to Jones, as it will guide the county's efforts to alleviate homelessness and ensure compliance with state guidelines.