06/04/2026
🏘️ HOMELESS RESPONSE WORKSHOP
The City of Wenatchee and the City of East Wenatchee recently held a joint City Council workshop to review homelessness response efforts, program outcomes, community impacts, and future strategies for our Valley.
We encourage community members to watch the full workshop and presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H2fg7LPlH0
The workshop features presentations from:
✔️ Community Development Director Glen DeVries
✔️ Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Director Dave Erickson
✔️ Homeless Response Administrator Josh Mathena
✔️ East Wenatchee Community Development Director Curtis Lillquist
Some key highlights discussed during the workshop include:
🔹 A coordinated regional approach between Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, law enforcement, parks, public works, nonprofits, and service providers.
🔹 Daily outreach efforts focused on connecting individuals to housing, treatment, recovery services, and shelter resources before enforcement action is needed. Homeless individuals whom are resistant to services and violate codes or laws are engaged by community-based law enforcement and also provided opportunities for treatment where applicable.
🔹 Current emergency shelter capacity of 269 beds, plus 13 emergency RV shelter stalls within the cities of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee, with approximately 93 beds available at the time of the presentation.
🔹 Recent expansion of family shelter opportunities through the installation of two-family shelter units at the Wenatchee Rescue Mission, serving parents with children.
🔹 The successful "Journey Home" program, which has helped individuals reconnect with verified family and support networks across the country, resulting in dozens of successful placements.
🔹 Partnerships with treatment providers including but not limited to Oxford Houses that have helped move individuals from homelessness into recovery-focused housing and support services.
🔹 Continued focus on balancing compassion, accountability, public safety, neighborhood livability, and access to services.
The workshop demonstrates how regional partnerships, data-driven decision-making, and coordinated outreach efforts are helping address homelessness while improving the quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors throughout our community.
