Department of Commerce: Homeless numbers rise during cold months

Based on the latest state Department of Commerce Point in Time survey, there were more than 20,000 homeless people in Washington.

In Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Yakima and Grant counties the count was 599. Central Washington numbers also tend to rise during the cold weather months.

"This issue is so complex and so diverse that it needs the complex individual answers that we all can bring," says Rex Hohlbein, executive director of Renton-based "Facing Homelessness."

Hohlbein will be speaking about the subject at Central Washington University next week. His presentation will be held Wednesday the 30th and is free and open to the public.