Council For The Homeless Announces Summer Community Education Series (Photo) - 05/27/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Council for the Homeless Announces Summer Community Education Series

VANCOUVER, Wash. (May 27, 2026) — Council for the Homeless (CFTH) is proud to announce two upcoming community education events designed to empower local residents with financial knowledge and foster a deeper understanding of the housing challenges facing our aging population. Both events are free and open to the public. Registration is required.

Event 1: Navigating the New Federal Tax Law Changes & Your Finances

When: Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Where: Firstenburg Community Center, 700 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98684

As federal tax laws undergo significant shifts, understanding the ripple effects on a personal and community level is essential. This session features a practical breakdown from a trusted local professional at Integrated Tax Services. Attendees will learn how these legislative changes are reshaping charitable and corporate giving and what that means for individual and business financial planning. A live Q & A session will follow the presentation.

Event 2: Film Screening & Panel Discussion: “No Place to Grow Old”

When: Wednesday, August, 26, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.

Where: Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St., Vancouver, WA 98660

Presented in partnership with the Fort Vancouver Regional Library, this event features a screening of the powerful documentary “No Place to Grow Old.” The film provides an intimate look at the heartbreaking realities of aging without stable housing. Following the screening, a panel of local community experts will lead a discussion on the urgent need for compassionate solutions in Clark County. This is a unique opportunity for residents to connect and engage with one of the most pressing social issues of our time.

“Education is foundational to a thriving community,” says Sesany Fennie-Jones, chief executive officer at Council for the Homeless. “Whether we’re unpacking the complexities of tax law or centering the very real human experiences behind the housing crisis, these events are designed to bring neighbors together to build understanding, create connection, and inspire meaningful action.”

Registration Information:

Admission for both events is free, but space is limited. Members of the public are encouraged to reserve their spot early by visiting:

Federal Tax Law Changes: https://councilforthehomeless.ejoinme.org/2026TAXLAW

“No Place to Grow Old”: https://councilforthehomeless.ejoinme.org/NPTGO2026

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About Council for the Homeless: Council for the Homeless (CFTH) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness in Clark County, Wash., by providing community leadership, compelling advocacy, and practical solutions to solve homelessness on an individual and community level. Founded in 1989, CFTH serves as the lead agency and coordinated entry for the delivery of homeless services through the Continuum of Care for Homeless Services in Clark County, Wash.

Council For The Homeless Releases 2026 Point-In-Time (PIT) Count (Photo) - 05/18/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Council for the Homeless Releases 2026 Point-In-Time (PIT) Count for Clark County 

VANCOUVER, Wash. (May 18, 2026) — Council for the Homeless (CFTH) released the 2026 Point-In-Time (PIT) Count results, a one-day census conducted on January 29, 2026, that documents the number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Clark County. The data, which is collected as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Washington State Department of Commerce, is available in full at: https://www.councilforthehomeless.org/point-in-time-count/. 

While the PIT Count provides a valuable snapshot of homelessness on a single day, CFTH emphasizes that the PIT Count does not capture the full scope of homelessness in the region. As the lead agency for the homeless response system, CFTH will follow today’s release with its annual system numbers report this summer, providing a comprehensive analysis of the state of homelessness in Clark County throughout an entire year.

“The PIT Count allows us to collect and analyze data on one specific day and compare it to previous years,” says Sunny Wonder, chief operating officer. “Our coordinated outreach efforts work with teams throughout the county to connect with as many folks living outside and within shelters as we are able.”

Data from partner service locations and school districts are also included in the PIT Count totals. CFTH Project Homeless Connect (PHC) event takes place on the same day each year to help the agency connect with more people, while providing direct services and resources. This year, PHC serviced 340 individuals, more than a quarter of the total PIT Count throughout the day.

2026 PIT Count Highlights: 

1. People in Emergency Shelter decreased 15% due to fewer winter shelter beds available in 2026.
2. People in Transitional Housing (TH) decreased 46% from 2025 due to TH beds converted to Permanent Housing.
3. Number of seniors aged 62 or older decreased 50%; unsheltered seniors decreased by 9 individuals.
4. Unsheltered people decreased 11% from the 2025 count. This decrease was among single individuals or households without children. Chronically homeless sheltered individuals decreased 31% from 2025 while chronically homeless unsheltered individuals increased by 8%. Unsheltered veterans increased by 2 people.
5. There was a 21% increase in the number of people counted within unsheltered families in 2026.

Another area that saw increase this year was the number of people who identified as Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), which made up 40%, and specifically the Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander community which saw a 6% increase from 2025. BIPOC community members only make up 26% of the population in Clark County (ACS 2024), so this is an overrepresentation.

A lack of affordable housing continues to be a leading factor for housing instability in the area. All income levels are affected, especially people living 30% or more below the Area Median Income level. This makes it challenging for people to move out of emergency shelter and transition into stable housing.

Council for the Homeless is dedicated to partnering with local residents, public and private partners, and community leaders to address the root causes of homelessness and increase sustainable solutions to prevent and end homelessness in Clark County.

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About Council for the Homeless: Council for the Homeless (CFTH) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness in Clark County, WA, by providing community leadership, compelling advocacy, and practical solutions to solve homelessness on an individual and community level. Founded in 1989, CFTH serves as the lead agency and coordinated entry for the delivery of homeless services through the Continuum of Care for Homeless Services in Clark County, WA.