Cowlitz County Faces Critical Decision on $11 Million Homeless Funding as Hope Village Closes

As Longview's transitional housing program ends October 1st, county commissioners consider accepting Washington State homeless services grant

Cowlitz County commissioners face a pivotal decision in the coming weeks: whether to accept $11 million in Washington State funding for homeless services through the Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG) program. This decision comes at a critical time, as Hope Village—Longview's successful transitional housing program, closes October 1st after serving over 110 residents in 2.5 years.

The timing highlights the complex challenges facing Southwest Washington communities as they balance fiscal responsibility, local control, and community needs in addressing homelessness across Longview, Kelso, and rural Cowlitz County.

The Current Landscape

Hope Village's Impact and Closure: Hope Village required proof of Cowlitz County residency and successfully helped more than 110 people transition from homelessness to stable housing. The program is closing after Longview officials were unable to secure a qualified nonprofit operator to replace The Salvation Army, which ended its contract.

Funding at Stake: The $11 million CHG represents a significant resource for homeless services throughout Cowlitz County. If county commissioners decline the grant, Washington State will distribute the funds through another local agency, meaning the community receives the resources but loses direct county oversight of their allocation.

Current Service Levels: Last year, Cowlitz County distributed nearly $4.8 million in CHG funds to local organizations, supporting rental assistance, coordinated entry services, and prevention programs across the region.

Different Perspectives on the Decision

Concerns About Grant Acceptance: Some commissioners have expressed worry that increased homeless services spending might attract additional unhoused individuals from outside the county. This "magnet effect" theory suggests that enhanced services could inadvertently increase the local homeless population. Commissioner Rick Dahl noted that state homeless grants to the county have nearly tripled since January 2023, stating his concern about potential unintended consequences of expanded funding.

Arguments for Grant Acceptance: Proponents of accepting the grant point to several factors: Stable Population Data shows Cowlitz County's homeless population has remained relatively stable since 2012 despite funding fluctuations, with the most recent count documenting 337 people experiencing homelessness. Research Evidence from the 2023 California Statewide Study found that 90% of unhoused individuals became homeless in the same state where they were last housed, and 75% remained in the same county. Prevention Focus means current programs emphasize preventing homelessness through rental assistance and mediation services rather than managing existing homeless populations.

How Funding Is Currently Used

The CHG supports various evidence-based approaches: Rental Assistance through Lower Columbia CAP distributed $1.76 million in direct rent payments to landlords, preventing evictions for hundreds of families. Mediation Services provide landlord-tenant mediation that helps resolve conflicts before they result in housing loss, benefiting both renters and property owners. Coordinated Entry uses standardized assessment systems to ensure resources reach the most vulnerable individuals based on need rather than availability. Transitional Housing programs like Hope Village provided structured pathways from homelessness to stable housing with residency requirements.

Regional Context and Comparisons

Lewis County Decision: Neighboring Lewis County commissioners recently faced a similar decision regarding $6.6 million in CHG funding. Despite initial concerns, they approved the grant on a 2-1 vote, with the dissenting commissioner seeking a reduced amount due to declining local homelessness numbers rather than opposing the program concept.

Statewide Implementation: The CHG program, established in 2012, operates in communities throughout Washington State using standardized approaches to homeless services and prevention.

Economic Considerations

Cost-Benefit Analysis: Research indicates that prevention-focused homeless services generate significant cost savings by reducing expensive emergency interventions. Every dollar invested in rental assistance and prevention typically saves $4-7 in emergency room visits, jail costs, and crisis shelter expenses.

Local Control vs. State Administration: If county commissioners decline the grant, the funding still comes to Cowlitz County through state-selected agencies, but local officials lose direct input on service priorities and distribution methods.

Community Impact Factors

Current Vulnerable Populations: The 2024 local homeless survey identified primary factors leading to housing loss: eviction (34%), job loss (21%), lack of job training (23%), mental illness (23%), and substance abuse (20%). Approximately 10% were veterans.

Service Gaps: With Hope Village closing and no immediate replacement program, Longview and Kelso face reduced transitional housing capacity just as economic pressures, including rising rents and inflation, continue affecting regional housing stability.

Organizational Capacity: Local agencies like Lower Columbia CAP, Family Promise, Phoenix House, and the Community Mediation Center have established track records delivering homeless services throughout Cowlitz County.

Paths Forward

Immediate Considerations: County commissioners must weigh several factors in their upcoming decision: maintaining local oversight of homeless services funding, addressing service gaps left by Hope Village's closure, balancing prevention approaches with community concerns, and ensuring evidence-based decision-making processes.

Long-term Planning: Regardless of the CHG decision, Cowlitz County faces ongoing challenges in addressing homelessness effectively, including developing sustainable funding models for transitional housing, coordinating services between Longview, Kelso, and county agencies, addressing root causes of housing instability, and measuring program effectiveness and community outcomes.

Community Engagement Opportunities

Public Input: Cowlitz County residents can participate in the decision-making process by attending county commission meetings at the Cowlitz County Courthouse, contacting commissioners directly to share perspectives, engaging with local service organizations to understand current needs, and reviewing public data on homeless services and outcomes.

Organizational Involvement: Churches, businesses, and community groups throughout Southwest Washington can contribute to solutions regardless of the funding decision through direct support, volunteer programs, and advocacy efforts.

Looking Ahead

The CHG decision represents more than a single funding choice—it reflects broader questions about how Cowlitz County addresses complex social challenges. Whether commissioners accept or decline the grant, the underlying needs for affordable housing, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and economic stability will remain.

Success in addressing homelessness typically requires sustained, coordinated efforts that combine prevention, intervention, and long-term housing solutions. The most effective approaches tend to be those that adapt evidence-based practices to local conditions while maintaining community support and political sustainability.

As Hope Village closes and county commissioners deliberate, Longview, Kelso, and rural Cowlitz County residents have opportunities to engage constructively in shaping their community's approach to one of the region's most persistent challenges.

Decision Timeline: The Cowlitz County Commission is expected to vote on the $11 million Consolidated Homeless Grant in the coming weeks. Public meetings are held at the Cowlitz County Courthouse, and meeting schedules are available through the county website.

Keywords: Cowlitz County homeless funding decision, Hope Village Longview closure October 2025, Washington State Consolidated Homeless Grant, Longview Kelso transitional housing, Southwest Washington homeless services, county commissioners homeless policy

Community Resources: For information about local homeless services and volunteer opportunities, contact Lower Columbia CAP, Family Promise, or other regional service organizations. Community advocates can find additional resources at Love Overwhelming