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County pitches in with $17M in spending on homelessness and affordable housing

As Seattle is moving ahead with a plan to boost its emergency spending to fight homelessness in the city to $7.6 million, there have been calls for more to be done at the state and federal level. King County has responded.

Earlier this week, County Executive Dow Constantine announced $17 million plan in spending and the creation of an additional 237 units of affordable housing. The initiative will provide rental assistance to those who used to be homeless, military veterans, immigrants and refugees, and families fleeing domestic violence, the announcement reads.

“We continue to take action to help those who are homeless today, and prevent children and families from falling into homelessness tomorrow,” Constantine said. “This humanitarian crisis requires a comprehensive, prevention-oriented approach that crosses all levels of government working with community partners. We’re delivering results at the local level — now we need our Legislature and Congress to join us.”

The county is touting more than $17 million in spending to address the crisis:

  • $280,000 in emergency funding to expand shelter capacity and access in South and East King County and create a day center in South King County.
  • $7 million for capital projects that will create an additional 237 units of affordable housing, including units reserved for military veterans and formerly homeless residents.
  • $10 million in rental assistance, funds to operate affordable housing so that it is a positive asset in the community, and funds for support services to help families and individuals remain stably housed through case management, help finding employment, education, and other services.

With Seattle’s issues around encampments and the continuing to grow number of people living unsheltered in the city, critics of programs to address the issue have criticized City Hall for being too soft on homeless people and welcoming all comers to “Freeattle.” But the numbers of homeless outside the city appear to be growing just as quickly — if not faster. The 2016 One Night Count found 4,505 people living unsheltered in the streets of King County overnight. That’s a 19% increase over last year’s survey. In Seattle, the count found 2,942 outside, up from 2,813 in 2015, a 4.5% jump.

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JayH
JayH
8 years ago

“Freattle”! I like that phrase. King County’s plan is a good first step toward regionalizing the homeless problem. Seattle is in danger of becoming a magnet location, overwhelming our community and social service agencies.

Adam
Adam
8 years ago
Reply to  JayH

“In danger of becoming” a magnet? That’s been the case for years.

And with millions more in funding coming, it will only be amplified.

Garfield
Garfield
8 years ago

“If you build it, they will come…”

Sick and tired of this. What has happened to our city?

MYOB
MYOB
8 years ago
Reply to  Garfield

Murray.

jameshilton
jameshilton
8 years ago

Seattle with its concern for the homeless is driving the property taxpayer ouy of the city.It will become a city of the homeless

jameshilton
jameshilton
8 years ago

I think that it is time to give Seattle’s homeless places,like the Jungle and others a new name–Murraysville

MYOB
MYOB
8 years ago
Reply to  jameshilton

Exactly.

MYOB
MYOB
8 years ago

Three words: MANDATORY JOB TRAINING