Health Through Housing Initiative

Overview

The Health Through Housing (HTH) Initiative is an innovative approach that accelerates our region’s response to chronic homelessness.

King County is partnering with host cities to create up to 1,600 units of emergency housing and permanent supportive housing for people experiencing or at risk of chronic homelessness.

Through innovative partnerships and close collaboration with city governments, service providers, and local communities, HTH acquires former hotels and other existing buildings and converts them into apartments that are dignified, affordable, and service enriched. HTH offers two types of housing, Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and Emergency Housing (EH), both of which feature 24/7 staffing and supports such as:

• Case management
• Employment navigation
• Transportation access
• Connection to physical and behavioral health services

Since its inception, King County has worked with local leaders to identify suitable properties and conduct project planning and community engagement together.

Health Through Housing building updates

• Don’s Place in Auburn had their grand opening in January and are continuing to welcome new residents. The site has 81 units and Compass Housing Alliance is the housing operator.
• HTH Federal Way – King County is working on securing a general contractor to complete property updates required by the City of Federal Way. The HTH team and Urban League, the housing operator, are in ongoing coordination with the City of Federal Way to complete the permitting process. 
• HTH Kirkland -  King County and the City of Kirkland selected Plymouth Housing as the building operator and expect to open the building in 2025.
• Haven Heights in Honor of Bruce Thomas (Redmond) - King County and the City of Redmond selected The Salvation Army as the housing operator and they are coordinating local referrals. The building welcomed the first residents this summer.
• Sidney Wilson House in Renton has 107 units and is near capacity. Catholic Community Services (CCS) is the housing operator. 
• The Bob G in Queen Anne (Seattle) is closed for major renovations. The operator, Catholic Community Services, relocated all residents to alternative supportive housing units in 2023. King County is in the process of determining the scope of work necessary for conversion into permanent supportive housing.
• Mary Pilgrim Inn in Bitter Lake (Seattle) has 85 units and is at capacity. DESC is the housing operator.
• The Gateway in honor of Tenaya Wright in Haller Lake (Seattle) has 113 units and is at capacity. DESC is the housing operator.
• Salmonberry Lofts in honor of Peter Joe in Pioneer Square (Seattle) has 76 units and is at capacity. Chief Seattle Club is the housing operator.
• The Argyle in Downtown Seattle is a small, 10-unit mixed-use building owned by King County. Given its unique size and structure, the county is exploring appropriate uses for the site.
• Capitol Hill in Seattle will be operated by Lavender Rights Project with property management support from Chief Seattle Club and is expected to welcome residents by early next year.
• The North Star in Bitter Lake (Seattle) has 100 HTH-funded units and is at capacity. DESC is the housing operator.
• Bertha Pitts Campbell Place in the Central District (Seattle) has 100 HTH-funded units and is at capacity. Plymouth Housing is the housing operator. 
• Burbridge Place in Green Lake (Seattle) has 62 HTH-funded units and is at capacity. DESC is the housing operator. 
• Sacred Medicine House in Lake City (Seattle) had their grand opening earlier last month. The site has 120 HTH-funded units and has begun welcoming residents. Chief Seattle Club is the housing operator.
• Bloomside in Burien had their grand opening this month. The 95 HTH-funded units will serve single adults who are disabled and formerly homeless. 25 units will be for veterans experiencing homelessness. DESC is the building operator.

How HTH is funded