Summary

King County will maintain the current lease for the Salvation Army-operated shelter in SODO, preserving 24/7 enhanced shelter for 270 residents, while redirecting resources that were going to expand services at the site to invest in other projects across the region that can bring unsheltered people inside faster. King County will use remaining parts of the SODO property for other county purposes.

Story

King County Executive Dow Constantine announced today the county-leased property in SODO will maintain the existing 270-person Salvation Army-operated Lighthouse Shelter, and not expand services as previously planned. The Salvation Army’s shelter will continue receiving operations funding from King County and Seattle through the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) and will remain in its location on County-leased property.

If approved by the County Council, Executive Constantine’s proposal would utilize funds planned for expanded services at the SODO site, and redirect toward other projects that will provide faster access to shelter or housing for people experiencing homelessness. The proposal would include making funds available for a one-time wage boost for providers and investing in any community in the County able to quickly house residents experiencing homelessness, like in the Green River area of South King County.

“Over the past six weeks, community members have shared their feedback about the current state of public safety and other concerns in the Chinatown-International District and surrounding neighborhoods. It is clear that building trust and resolving underlying concerns about the conditions in the community today will take considerable time before we can move forward with any added service capacity. At the same time, the crisis of homelessness — and the health of every person living outside — requires urgent and immediate action,” said Executive Constantine. “Recognizing these competing tensions, it is incumbent on King County to change course so we can utilize term-limited, one-time federal funding and invest in actionable projects in the months ahead. None of these problems will be solved without building more housing and safe, dignified shelter, and we will continue to seek out opportunities in every part of the region to bring more of our neighbors inside.”

The existing operation in SODO, which began in 2021, will continue operating over the next five years. The site provides enhanced shelter that allows a person to stabilize without having to check out every morning and check back in every night. In addition, people have steady, access to bathrooms, showers, and supportive services like healthcare. The funding for the Services Hub that would have provided 24/7 onsite support, case management, housing navigators and behavioral health services for 150 additional people is one-time Federal money that comes with time constraints, solidifying the decision to redirect funds elsewhere.

In March, King County announced the plan to create the SODO Services Hub and expand 24/7 shelter and behavioral health services in partnership with the City of Seattle and the KCRHA. The plan was approved by the King County Council in May, and over the last seven months, the County has led and participated in ongoing engagement with surrounding communities.

Executive Constantine will work with the County Council to quickly redirect the funding to the other projects and move to implement it as swiftly as possible.

Relevant links

• Sept. 2022: Update on the SODO Services Hub—a joint partnership to bring more people inside
• March 2022: King County planning expanded enhanced shelter and behavioral health services hub in SoDo with new lease
• April 2021: Bringing 500 people inside, creating 400 jobs – American Rescue Plan homelessness strategies

Quotes

Over the past six weeks, community members have shared their feedback about the current state of public safety and other concerns in the Chinatown-International District and surrounding neighborhoods. It is clear that building trust and resolving underlying concerns about the conditions in the community today will take considerable time before we can move forward with any added service capacity. At the same time, the crisis of homelessness — and the health of every person living outside — requires urgent and immediate action. Recognizing these competing tensions, it is incumbent on King County to change course so we can utilize term-limited, one-time federal funding and invest in actionable projects in the months ahead. None of these problems will be solved without building more housing and safe, dignified shelter, and we will continue to seek out opportunities in every part of the region to bring more of our neighbors inside.

For more information, contact:

Chase Gallagher, Executive Office, 206-263-8537