Inslee Pitches $800M For Housing And Homelessness

SEATTLE — Gov. Jay Inslee this week unveiled an ambitious, $800 million plan to tackle homelessness across the region, help residents stay in their homes and increase affordable housing.

The governor announced the supplemental budget proposal during a news conference at a Habitat for Humanity project in Seattle, where new homes are being built to house families making less than the median income. Inslee was joined by Seattle Mayor-elect Bruce Harrell, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards and King County Executive Dow Constantine.

"A variety of factors drive our state's homelessness crisis, including lack of affordable housing, unemployment, poverty, behavioral health needs and lack of services, domestic violence and accessible options for people with disabilities," Inslee said. "Today, I am unveiling a statewide approach that maximizes housing units and getting people into housing solutions."

The governor's supplemental budget proposal includes nearly $335 million for "rapid capital housing" and funding to build an extra 2,600 housing units, with more than half prioritized to help people experiencing homelessness transition into permanent housing, including those living in encampments.

"We know that supportive housing is [the] most impactful way to prevent the chronically homeless from returning to the streets," Inslee said. "Some homeless individuals require a temporary accommodation to bridge the gap from homelessness to permanent housing."

Under the governor's plan, the state would work with local leaders and community organizations to connect people living "on the public right of way" with permanent housing, then rehabilitate former encampment sites.

Another $100 million is earmarked for the "Housing Trust Fund," which aims to build 1,500 affordable housing units across the region. Inslee also proposed a statewide policy change to allow for more "middle housing," like duplexes and townhomes, to be built in most areas in major cities — a plan that has support from Washington Realtors.

"We appreciate Governor Inslee's leadership in proposing legislation that will increase housing supply throughout Washington state," said Tom Hormel, president of WA Realtors. "Allowing additional housing types that are affordable for first-time homebuyers and that fit within existing neighborhoods will be critical to addressing our state's housing supply and affordability housing crisis."

Other key investments in the plan include $100 million to operate enhanced homeless shelters, $60 million for crisis stabilization facilities and nearly $50 million for supportive and behavioral health services.

The governor's housing proposal will head to state lawmakers for the 2022 legislative session, which is scheduled to begin on Jan. 10, 2022.