King County Offers Homeless People Jobs To Clean Up Communities

WHITE CENTER, WA —King County announced a pilot program Tuesday offering paid jobs for homeless people to clean up public spaces in unincorporated areas. According to the King County Executive's office, the county worked in tandem with the Millionair Club Charity and the Solid Waste Division to assemble a five-person "Conservation Corps" team for a trial run.

Members are tasked with picking up garbage and cleaning graffiti in White Center, Skyway, Fairwood, and East Federal Way. Each person is paid between $18 and $20 per hour.

"At the end of the day, we want people who have been struggling to have steady employment and the satisfaction of a job well done, and to improve neighborhood quality of life for everyone," King County Executive Dow Constantine said in a statement.

County officials said the six-month program will cost $125,000, paid out of the Solid Waste Division's budget. King County Councilmember Joe McDermott praised the plan as a solution helping those experiencing homelessness get a steady income while helping areas that do not have the services available in larger cities.

"Innovative solutions are needed to address the needs of urban unincorporated areas like White Center, who have thriving neighborhoods, community organizations and businesses but lack the support of a city government that other urban centers have," McDermott said.

According to the Executive's office, the pilot program began Oct. 12 and will last until April 12. Depending on the success of the program, more opportunities may be available in the future. Anyone interested in the Conservation Corps can contact the Millionair Club at 206-728-5627.