Task Force Seeks Board Members Who Have Experienced Homelessness

Chelan-Douglas Homeless Housing Task Force Board Applications close October 17

information released, Chelan-Douglas HHTF file photo

The Chelan-Douglas Homeless Housing Task Force, which sets priorities for homeless services and programs in the two counties, seeks new members who have the personal experience of being without a home.

The potential lived-experience candidates must have experienced homelessness in the past or are currently living unhoused. Candidates must reside in Chelan or Douglas counties. The Task Force seeks both a task force member and an alternate for the position, with applications due by 5 p.m. on Oct. 17.

“We are looking for people who are willing to share their own lived-experience and use that knowledge to advocate for other community members living in similar situations,” said Amber Hallberg, Housing Program coordinator at Chelan County. “Such a unique perspective will help guide the task force in making important decisions like funding allocations and what needs to be prioritized in the five-year homeless housing strategic plan.”

The application for the positions is available at https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/files/board-of-commissioners/documents/Housing/24-26%20Homeless%20Housing%20Taskforce_Lived%20Experience%20Application.pdf

The appointments are for two-year terms, beginning in January 2024 and ending Dec. 31, 2025. The task force, which currently consists of five voting members and 15 non-voting members, meets quarterly from 3 to 5 p.m. on typically the fourth Wednesday of the month; the schedule for the new year is set annually in December.

In 2024, the task force will be doing strategic planning, so additional special meetings may be necessary. The application for interested candidates is available on the Chelan County website at www.co.chelan.wa.us. Candidates are asked to share their life experience and how they would advocate for others experiencing homelessness.

Completed applications can be emailed to Hallberg at amber.hallberg@co.chelan.wa.us. A selection committee plans to interview candidates on Oct. 25 and then bring the top five candidates to the full task force for review. Final appointments are made by the Board of County Commissioners. The successful candidate and alternate will be notified in mid-November.

The Chelan-Douglas Homeless Housing Task Force, which consists of local elected officials, agency representatives, and other stakeholders in the community, provides input into the ongoing development of a five-year homeless housing plan to address homelessness in Chelan and Douglas counties. The task force also allocates homeless grant dollars to organizations in the two counties. For more information, including meeting dates, go to www.co.chelan.wa.us/board-ofcommissioners/pages/housing