King County Pitches $100 Million In New Homelessness Investments

KING COUNTY, WA — King County Executive Dow Constantine outlined a new proposal Thursday to use $100 million from the American Rescue Plan to fund more services for people experiencing homelessness — particularly in downtown Seattle, SoDo and unincorporated areas.

Among the specific plans, the proposal would add hundreds of new shelter beds, a few dozen tiny homes and reopen an emergency shelter for people recently discharged from the hospital or released from jail, the executive said. The plan would also fund jobs for 400 people living in shelters and increase rental subsidies to get people into housing.

"These investments will not, by themselves, solve homelessness," Constantine said. "But in concert with major local investments I've previously announced, they will make a big difference in people’s lives. King County – with help from the federal government – is willing to take on these challenges, to work together to restore communities and make sure every resident has the opportunity to thrive."

Here are the highlights identified by Constantine's office:

• Enhanced shelter or emergency housing with services: $47.7 million
  • Adds 357 new beds, including 50 prefabricated tiny housing units, and a new, 40-bed Behavioral Health Crisis Response Enhanced Shelter in Seattle. Maintains another 211 beds in sobering center and other facilities like leased hotel rooms.
• Employment and rent subsidies: $40 million
  • Create more space in existing shelters to serve more people by offering employment to 400 people and rental subsidies to people who are ready to move out of shelters toward increased independence.
• Behavioral health supports: $7.7 million
  • Onsite 24/7 Downtown Seattle Behavioral Health Response Team, based in the King County campus in Pioneer Square, will respond to individuals in crisis. Additional funds will provide support and consultation to service providers.
• Support vehicle residents & provide emergency housing access: $5 million
  • Provide support service along with bathroom, shower, electricity and garbage to 50 RV’s. Sixty households currently residing in cars would be provided hotel vouchers.
• Emergency overnight shelter: $2 million
  • King County will re-open a 35-person 4th & Jefferson Emergency Basic Shelter. Residents of the shelter have moved to other facilities and 4th & Jefferson has been closed for two years. The restored shelter will observe public health guidance to guard against COVID transmission.