Olympia – Today, the Washington State House of Representatives passed House Bill 1899, the first bill sponsored by Rep. Janice Zahn (D-Bellevue) to pass in the House. This legislation streamlines the state’s homelessness data collection process to better align with federal requirements and improve administrative efficiency.
The bill removes the requirement for Washington to conduct an annual homelessness census, instead allowing the Department of Commerce to determine a schedule consistent with the Washington Homeless Client Management Information System. This change reflects a shift in federal policy, as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has moved from an annual to a biennial Point-in-Time (PIT) Count following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The housing and homelessness crisis is a huge problem throughout Washington state. This legislation is about getting the right information at the right time,” said Rep. Zahn during her floor speech in support of the bill. “Point-in-Time counts are difficult and not exact—you could have wildly different numbers simply because of the weather, and volunteers are out there counting in the dark, making guesses.”
Rep. Zahn spoke from personal experience, having participated in a Point-in-Time Count eight years ago.
“I’m an engineer. I’m trained to work in data accuracy, and I wanted to get it right. But as I was out there in the middle of the night, I had questions: How do you find tents in the dark? How do you know if that car has someone sleeping in it? How do you know if the person is a man, woman, or child? The answer I was given was ‘Do the best you can—make a best-case guesstimate.’ That approach troubles me,” she said.
With this legislation, Washington moves toward better flexibility, efficiency, and local control. The bill ensures that state resources are used more effectively by prioritizing other, more reliable data sources, such as the Department of Commerce’s Snapshot of Homelessness, published every six months.
HB 1899 allows local communities to continue annual PIT counts if they choose but removes the requirement that every county conduct one, reducing unnecessary administrative burdens.
“This legislation allows local communities to use their resources more effectively while still ensuring accurate and meaningful data collection,” Rep. Zahn added. “Counties that wish to continue conducting an annual PIT Count will still have the flexibility to do so.”
HB 1899 passed unanimously and is now headed to the Senate for further consideration.