Summary

Executive Constantine shared his proposal for the expansion of critical shelter and behavioral health services in SoDo, including micro-modular shelters, a sobering center, and supports for RV residents. The services hub will be a partnership between King County, the City of Seattle, and the King County Regional Homelessness Authority.

Story

King County Executive Dow Constantine announced today a new plan to expand 24/7 shelter and behavioral health services at a SoDo hub in partnership with the City of Seattle and the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA). The hub is part of the next phase of a plan released last year by Executive Constantine to add 24/7 shelter with services to people experiencing homelessness in downtown Seattle, Sodo, and nearby neighborhoods. The funding for this planned expansion comes in part from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, County investments, and $5 million from the City of Seattle.

Enhanced shelter allows a person to stabilize without having to check out every morning and check back in every night and allows steady access to bathrooms, showers, and supportive services like healthcare.

“Bringing our neighbors inside takes partnership, coordination, and resources. Expanding our SoDo property is an important next step to achieve our mission,” said Executive Constantine. “This is an opportunity to dramatically improve our capabilities where it can make the most difference - for people who need help, and the entire region.”

"Working together by combining resources and efforts, we can drive change and sustainable progress,” said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. “Expanding this critical shelter shows a commitment to collaboration, delivering on an urgent need and a core shared objective of our homelessness response: Connecting people living unhoused with the shelter, support, and services needed to leave homelessness on a path toward recovery."

"The expansion of the SoDo Enhanced Shelter creates space for people to receive healthcare and supportive services, so that they can stabilize and move forward on the path to permanent housing,” said Marc Dones, CEO of KCRHA. “This project is an example of another successful collaboration between the County, the City, and the private sector, all working together to make progress toward humanitarian solutions.”

The expansion would consist of five projects and will cost nearly $66.5 million. It preserves the existing 270-person Salvation Army-operated shelter, which will close in November without a lease extension, and adds capacity for additional enhanced shelter projects with onsite support staff, case management, meals, and behavioral health services for up to 150 additional persons in separately operated and co-located services. The hub will also serve as a frequent site for other services such as the mobile medical unit and mobile behavioral health services.

“The Salvation Army continues to expand services that address the root causes of homelessness, particularly in the areas of mental health. We are grateful for the commitment of King County, the City of Seattle and KCRHA in these efforts and wholly support this latest endeavor,” said Lt. Colonel Cindy Foley, Divisional Commander of the Northwest Division, Salvation Army.

The proposed lease will now be considered by the King County Council for passage.

Relevant links

• Bringing 500 people inside, creating 400 jobs - American Rescue Plan homelessness strategies

Quotes

Bringing our neighbors inside takes partnership, coordination, and resources. Expanding our SoDo property is an important next step to achieve our mission. This is an opportunity to dramatically improve our capabilities where it can make the most difference - for people who need help, and the entire region.

Working together by combining resources and efforts, we can drive change and sustainable progress. Expanding this critical shelter shows a commitment to collaboration, delivering on an urgent need and a core shared objective of our homelessness response: Connecting people living unhoused with the shelter, support, and services needed to leave homelessness on a path toward recovery.

The expansion of the SoDo Enhanced Shelter creates space for people to receive healthcare and supportive services, so that they can stabilize and move forward on the path to permanent housing. This project is an example of another successful collaboration between the County, the City, and the private sector, all working together to make progress toward humanitarian solutions.

The Salvation Army continues to expand services that address the root causes of homelessness, particularly in the areas of mental health. We are grateful for the commitment of King County, the City of Seattle and KCRHA in these efforts and wholly support this latest endeavor.

For more information, contact:

Katie Rogers, Department of Community & Human Services, 206-758-8287