Showing posts with label housing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label housing. Show all posts

Compass Housing: Gardening with volunteers

Saturday, April 30, 2022

 Program Manager Corinne Stipek McKisson
and Case Managers Addisu and Amy.
Story and photos from Compass Housing

Volunteers from Shoreline Covenant Church, Ronald United Methodist Church, North Seattle Friends, The Practicing Church and Lake Forest Park Rotary put on their gloves, tugged on their boots, and worked with Compass staff and residents to revitalize our amazing garden beds at Ronald Commons!

Fifteen volunteers weeded, raked, and shoveled for nearly four hours and the results speak for themselves!

The volunteers worked alongside Ronald Commons residents and staff.
Before and After
It is so wonderful to be able to have volunteers back and serving our programs! 

If you want to get involved with Compass, check out where we could use your help here: https://www.compasshousingalliance.org/volunteer/.

4-30-2022 story updated

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Annual No Homeless Kids Luncheon for support of Vision House - Jacob's Well

Friday, April 29, 2022

Vision House is a local non-profit organization providing transitional housing and supportive services to help families experiencing homelessness achieve self-sufficiency. The agency owns and operates 45 units of debt-free housing in two apartment buildings with child care facilities in Renton and Shoreline.

The Jacob's Well facility in Shoreline was built with the support of a dozen local churches and organizations.

The annual No Homeless Kids Luncheon is the major fundraiser for Vision House. Virtual during the pandemic, this year it will be held on Tuesday May 3, 2022 at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue – with a fundraising goal of $680,000.

Nationally recognized mental health expert and author, Dr. Gregory Jantz, is the guest speaker at the Annual No Homeless Kids Luncheon.

A mom who graduated the Vision House program will share her story on her challenges raising a child while experiencing addiction and homelessness and how she overcame barriers to permanent housing.

Tuesday May 3rd

Check in: 11:30am
Event: 12:00 - 1:00pm

Questions - 425-228-6356
No cost to attend - please bring a friend!

2022 Vision House highlights  
  • Vision House served over 194 parents and children with housing and support services over in 2021: 128 children, 56 mothers, and 10 fathers.
  • 84% of families who completed the Vision House program transitioned to permanent housing in 2021.
  • Vision House’s Diversion Services provided - 476 families received referrals to permanent housing; support for legal, educational or employment needs; counseling and recovery referrals.
  • Provide educational classes for families – critical “soft skills” - to promote housing stability: Boundaries, Cooking, Education Sustainability, Financial Literacy, Housing Sustainability, Parenting, and Self-care.


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Shoreline planning commission to discuss cottage housing at meeting Thursday

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Shoreline Planning Commission Feb 2022

Thursday, April 21, 2022, 7:00pm - 9:59pm

Agenda
Agenda Highlights
Participate
Contact us
Carla Hoekzema, Planning Commission Clerk
(206) 801-2514
choekzema@shorelinewa.gov



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Sen. Frockt: Supplemental budget takes on the most pressing issues facing our state

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Sen. David Frockt D-46 is the state's
lead capital budget writer
OLYMPIA — The Senate unanimously passed a supplemental capital construction budget (SB 5651) that invests $1.5 billion in priority infrastructure across the state, including landmark funding for housing to address the state’s homelessness crisis.

“This budget takes on the most pressing issues facing our state,” said Sen. David Frockt (D-Seattle), vice chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and the Senate’s lead capital budget writer. 
“More than one third of this 1.5 billion budget goes toward building facilities to address the homelessness and mental health and substance abuse crises affecting us in Seattle and around the state. 
"Over the two-year budget cycle, we will have invested more than a billion dollars in these areas, which has to be a record.

“These are the tools that the City of Seattle and the King County Regional Homelessness Authority need to show our constituents progress on the homelessness crisis, and they should work with partners to apply for and take advantage of these grants.”

A historic $440 million funds grants and loans to invest in affordable housing, including $300 million for rapid housing. The budget also includes $98 million for behavioral health and crisis stabilization.

Established in 2021, the Rapid Housing Acquisition program helps local governments around the state bring unsheltered people into housing as quickly as possible. It has already provided grants for rapid housing projects in the Seattle and Vancouver areas that are anticipated to generate hundreds of units quickly in the coming months.

Hundreds of schools across Washington face a high risk of serious damage from an earthquake or tsunami, according to a 2021 report by the Department of Natural Resources. The capital budget contributes $100 million toward the cost of replacing or seismically retrofitting school buildings in high seismic areas or tsunami zones. A new seismic safety grant program was established by Frockt’s SB 5933, which both chambers of the Legislature passed unanimously.

“Providing safe places for children to learn is one of the state’s most serious responsibilities,” Frockt said. “The risk of an earthquake or tsunami may seem small at any particular place and time, but multiplied by all the communities in potentially geologically active areas across our state, this problem is urgent.”

A further $251 million goes to improve the state’s environmental health, including water quality, recreation and conservation. Local and community projects supported by members of both parties across the state are also included in the budget.

The budget demonstrates Senate Democrats’ commitment to equity by investing significantly in underserved communities through broadband expansion, affordable housing and community projects.

Priority projects in communities that have historically been underserved, including communities of color, receive significant funding. In Seattle, that includes $4.5 million for the Tubman Health Clinic, a Black community-owned and -led health institution for all people. The flagship Tubman health center is slated to open in 2025. Another $4 million goes to the Rainier Valley Early Learning Center.

Expanding broadband internet access to rural and underserved areas across the state was one of the key recommendations identified in last year’s report of the Special Committee on Economic Recovery, which Frockt chaired. This budget provides $100 million toward that goal through funding from last year’s federal infrastructure law.

Community behavioral health is also a priority. The budget contributes $6 million for Cascade Hall Community Psychiatric Clinic in King County to make sure the important inpatient beds it offers are not eliminated. Another $10 million goes toward a new King County crisis stabilization facility.

I am also pleased that this budget passed on a unanimous bipartisan vote, which is what we have had with virtually every budget in this space in recent years during my tenure in this role,” said Frockt. 
“This shows that the parties can work together, in good faith, when they come together and listen to one another and respect the needs that different communities have. Every Washingtonian in every district has a stake in preserving our natural resources, making schools safer from earthquakes and tsunamis, expanding broadband internet access, and investing in our state parks.”

A list of the budget’s capital investments in Seattle is available here.

Having been passed by both chambers of the Legislature, SB 5651 now goes to the governor for his signature.

Sen. David Frockt, D-Seattle, represents the 46th Legislative District, which includes Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, Lake City, Pinehurst, Northgate, Wedgwood, Windermere, and Laurelhurst.


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Conversations on homelessness: Skid Road with Josephine Ensign - lessons from our past to inform our future

Wednesday, March 9, 2022

 

NAVIGATES is a NEW and FREE speaker and conversation series where we will be exploring the complex, interconnected issues around homelessness and learning more about what we can do as individuals and together as a community.

Our first speaker is a UW Professor of Nursing and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies, Josephine Ensign.

She has recently written and published a book called “Skid Road: On the Frontier of Health and Homelessness in an American City.”

This conversation, happening on Wednesday, March 23 at 6:30pm, will explore Professor Ensign’s timely research and book about the historical and present-day challenges Seattle faces in this crisis.

Please join us and be ready to ask questions! This event will take place over Zoom. No registration is necessary.



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LFP Council adopts changes to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) regulations

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

An apartment over a garage will now be allowed in LFP
Image courtesy City of Lake Forest Park
As part of its effort to the increase housing diversity and affordability in LFP, the City Council adopted changes to the City’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Accessory Building regulations on February 24, 2022. 

The Council took action after a public hearing on the matter in which a majority of speakers spoke in favor of the changes.

The adopted changes are very similar to those recommended by the City’s Planning Commission last October. 

They include: 
  • removal of the rear-yard restriction, 
  • raising the height restriction to 25 feet to allow building an apartment on top of a garage or other structure, and 
  • allowing both an ADU and a detached ADU on lots of one acre or more. 
  • The minimum lot size for a detached ADUs was also lowered from 15,000 square feet to 10,000. This change alone makes an additional 1600 lots eligible for a detached ADU. 
Email the Planning Department for additional information: APlanner@ci.lake-forest-park.wa.us


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192 Shoreline project underway on Aurora

Sunday, February 27, 2022

192 Shoreline will be built at N 192nd and Aurora
Drawing courtesy TWG
Alpha Supported Living Services, headquartered in Bothell, is partnering with TWG, an Indianapolis-based real estate developer, on a project called 192 Shoreline, which will be built on the site at N 192nd St and Aurora Ave N, formerly the home of the Rat City Rollergirls and before that the SleepAire Mattress factory.

The previous building was completely demolished the week of February 14, 2022.

TWG was formed in 2007 and specializes in affordable and senior housing developments. They have developed properties in 14 states, but they are new to Washington state. The 192 Shoreline project and another in Kirkland, are their first projects in Washington, where they have plans to expand further in the affordable housing market.

192 Shoreline is affordable housing with 250 apartments in a seven-story development at 19022 Aurora Ave N. in Shoreline. Fifty-five of the units are reserved for people with disabilities. Alpha will have designated apartment units within the building for clients needing affordable housing. The project is set to finish by mid-2023.

As part of this project Alpha will have a community facility on the second level of the housing complex. This new space will allow them to reach more individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and continue their vision of an inclusive community. The community space is 4,700 sf and will have two large activity/conference rooms; a teaching kitchen; satellite office space as well as storage.

One of the main goals of the space is to house their Community Projects Program. Alpha’s Community Projects Program is a substitute for the no longer state funded adult day services programs. This program represents strong partnerships with the greater community. 

In many cases, community members reach out to Alpha with ideas of events, which our staff help coordinate. This includes walking club, art club, zoo outings, bowling, drum circle, movie night, and cooking classes. 

With the 192 Shoreline space we will be able to host art club in the community center as well as cooking classes and other events. These activities will be open to other supported living agencies and the community at large. 
The challenge has always been finding locations to have our recurring events, such as art club and game night. With 192 Shoreline Community Center we will be able to remove this barrier and provide a stable location for our clients and the community to gather.
 
Trail view of the 192 Shoreline
Drawing courtesy TWG Development

Along with the Community Projects activities the space will also support the following:
  • Nutrition classes taught by Alpha’s Nutritionist. These will benefit our staff who support our clients as well as staff from other agencies.
  • Satellite office space for staff to take care of paperwork; email; send faxes etc.
  • Recreation/Respite area for clients. We will be relocating “Cameron’s Corner” to the community center. Cameron’s Corner was dedicated to a former client of Alpha who passed away in 2008. His family donated to create a small area with seating; books; and a TV with DVD’s - all activities Cameron loved. We will dedicate a space to his memory that our clients can enjoy.
  • Staff break/respite area. Many of Alpha’s employees are Muslim. As an agency we have worked hard to recognize this, including a paid time off for Eid, a very important holiday celebrated for Muslim’s worldwide. We also recognize that prayer is a very important part of our staff’s daily life. It is often hard to incorporate this practice during the day for those working in client homes. We will be reserving a private space for staff to be able to come to pray or simply enjoy a quiet moment.
  • Provider Training and Staff Development – Alpha offers classes to other agencies including Dementia Specialty Training; Mental Health Specialty Training; Nurse Delegation and Diabetes Training.

With the 192 Shoreline Project Alpha will be working very closely with TWG Development. TWG has a significant track record in building high quality apartments and providing affordable housing for the underserved. 

They understand the importance of building strong relationships in the communities they serve. This is highlighted by two of their recent projects in other states. 

  • In 2021 they opened the doors of a new apartment complex with 30 units. These units will be home to foster youth who age out of the system. 
  • In September of this year, they opened an apartment complex in Indiana for seniors and reserved 1/5 of the units for seniors with visual impairments. 
  • This same unit also is home to a 6,000- sf resource center for children who are blind or visually impaired and their families. 

Alpha commented:
The collaboration and innovation that TWG has shown in its projects makes this partnership with them invaluable to Alpha and our community.


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Lake Forest Park City Council to hold Public Hearing on Proposed Code Amendments regarding Accessory Dwelling Units

Saturday, February 12, 2022

Image courtesy City of LFP
The City of Lake Forest Park City Council has been reviewing proposed amendments to the Lake Forest Park Municipal Code (LFPMC) regarding Accessory Dwelling Units and Accessory Structures for adoption under Ordinance Number 1235. 

The City Council will hold a public hearing for the purpose of receiving comments regarding amendments to the following in the LFPMC: 
  • section 18.50.050, Accessory dwelling units; 
  • section18.50.060 Accessory structures and buildings; and 
  • related definitions in Chapter 18.08. 

The public hearing is intended primarily to provide an opportunity for public testimony regarding draft code amendments that may be found in the agenda packet for the hearing and alternatives to same.

The public hearing will be conducted during the City Council’s regular meeting on February 24, 2022.The meeting will begin at 7pm and the public hearing will commence thereafter. 

The public hearing will be held virtually. Instructions for how to participate in the virtual public hearing may be found on the agenda for the meeting. Written testimony will be accepted prior to the meeting and distributed to the City Council and verbal testimony will be accepted during the public hearing.

  • Written comments should be submitted to City Clerk Matt McLean no later than 5pm local time on the date of the hearing.
  • Any person wishing to provide oral testimony at the hearing is encouraged to register via the Remote Public Comment Sign-in Form on the City’s Virtual Meetings During COVID-19 webpage by 5pm on the date of the meeting. 
  • Persons who have not signed up on the online public hearing sign-in sheet will be called upon to raise their hand through the Zoom meeting webinar feature and will be added to the speakers’ queue by the City Clerk, to be called upon by the Meeting Chair or designee. 
  • A request to speak can also be made by phone directly to the City Clerk at 206-368-5540 prior to 5pm on the date of the meeting.

Click here to view the public hearing notice.

The agenda will be available here by 5pm on Tuesday, February 22, 2022.



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Sen. Frockt: Washington Dept of Commerce grants make historic investments in affordable housing

Monday, December 20, 2021

Sen. David Frockt
OLYMPIA — Upon the announcement today by the Washington Department of Commerce of $131 million in grants to 40 affordable housing projects around the state, Sen. David Frockt (D-46), vice chair for the Capital Budget on the Senate Ways and Means Committee and lead sponsor of the budget’s new Rapid Housing Fund, released this statement:


“When we established the new rapid housing fund this year, our goal was for the state to partner with local governments, non-profits and the private sector to make units available at the pace we need them – not in three or four years but within months. I am pleased that these grants do just that.

“These grants will allow the rapid acquisition of 184 affordable housing units in Seattle through projects by the Chief Seattle Club, Plymouth Housing, and Sea Mar Community Health Centers. Those units will very soon be making a difference for people living in parks, tents, under bridges and in other unsheltered spaces in our cities.

“We are also working to increase the supply of affordable housing in the longer term. Another 702 rental units and 78 homes will be built in Seattle and King County using Housing Trust Fund grants awarded today.

“But there is still more to be done. Commerce received more proposals than could be funded, and another 124 units in Seattle are on the wait list. That’s why this year’s supplemental capital budget needs to make another bold investment in affordable housing, as I have been calling for and as the governor’s proposed capital budget would do.”

Sen. David Frockt, D-Seattle, represents the 46th Legislative District, which includes Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, Lake City, Pinehurst, Northgate, Wedgwood, Windermere, and Laurelhurst.


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Sen. Frockt's statement on Governor's capital construction budget

Friday, December 17, 2021

Sen. David Frockt D-46
Sen. David Frockt
(D-46), vice chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee with lead responsibility for the capital construction budget, released the following statement today after Gov. Jay Inslee presented his proposed 2022 capital construction budget:

“The $495 million set aside for housing in this budget—including $335 million for rapid housing and $60 million for crisis stabilization investments—is a wise use of our resources, including $445 million in federal dollars that must be spent by 2024.

“This is the type of housing funding that several of us—including Speaker Emeritus Chopp, Rep. Macri, Gov. Gregoire and Challenge Seattle, as well as numerous housing advocates—had been advocating for and hoping to see. I commend Gov. Inslee for including it in his proposal.

“This budget will build on the progress that has been made with the funding appropriated in the 2021 session, which has already provided grants for rapid housing projects in the Seattle and Vancouver areas that are anticipated to generate hundreds of units quickly in the coming months.”

The 60-day legislative session begins January 10, 2022.

Sen. Frockt represents the 46th legislative district which includes Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, Lake City, Pinehurst, Northgate, Wedgwood, Windermere, and Laurelhurst.



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Massive Health Through Housing measure approved by King County Council

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

The former Holiday Inn America at 13300 Aurora was
previously purchased with Health Through Housing
funds and is in operation now. Photo courtesy King County.
The King County Council has passed an implementation plan for King County’s Health through Housing program, which aims to house up to 1,600 people experiencing chronic homelessness.

Health through Housing is a regional approach to homelessness that will purchase facilities with single-occupancy units (such as hotels and nursing homes) and turn them into emergency supportive housing and permanent supportive housing.

It is funded with a 0.1% sales tax that the King County Council passed in 2020.

In 2021, Health through Housing expenditures went to purchase nine properties in Seattle, Renton, Redmond, Auburn, and Federal Way. 

King County anticipates acquiring three additional locations. The implementation plan passed on Tuesday will govern expenditures of Health through Housing dollars from 2022 to 2028.

The paramount goal of the implementation plan is the creation and ongoing operation of 1,600 units of affordable housing with related services for households in King County that are experiencing chronic homelessness or are at risk of experiencing chronic homelessness. 

In addition, it will reduce racial and ethnic disproportionality among people experiencing chronic homelessness in King County and it will create and operate a mobile behavioral health intervention.

“Health Through Housing is a game changer and an investment in making major progress toward combating our county’s homelessness crisis,” said King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles.

 “Not only does this program show our communities we are taking thoughtful and cost-effective action, but goes beyond that by providing actual housing with dignity. A kitchen, a bathroom, a quiet and safe living space — along with supportive services — are all essential to promoting safety and support for houseless individuals as they exit out of the brutal cycle of poverty.”

The plan anticipates expending $333.7 million for capital financing and site improvements, $309.5 million for emergency and permanent supportive housing operations, $67.2 million for behavioral health services outside of Health through Housing sites, $3.7 million to build capacity of agencies who represent communities disproportionately experiencing chronic homelessness, and $5.5 million for evaluation and performance measurement.

It establishes the Health through Housing Advisory Committee, which will advise the Executive and Council on Health through Housing related matters, advise DCHS on Health through Housing implementation, review performance data, and report annually on the expenditures, accomplishments, and effectiveness of Health through Housing. 

The Advisory Committee will also collaborate with program staff and providers to establish performance measures, which will be shared publicly through an online dashboard.

The Council passed the measure unanimously.



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Volunteer opportunities at The Oaks

Monday, December 6, 2021

The Oaks photo from Google maps

The Enhanced Shelter at The Oaks has been in operation for about 6 months. We have 60+ participants, including couples and pets, that have also been availing of our in-house case management services.

Some folks have been attending to their medical needs and are recuperating, thanks to our public health nurse on staff. A few residents set up a vegetable garden in the summer in the building courtyard with help from staff and Diggin' Shoreline volunteers. A couple of residents are participating in regular cleanups of the building surroundings. Folks are acquiring ID's, securing jobs, and two couples recently moved into housing.

If you would like to receive email newsletters from Lake City Partners, please visit https://lakecitypartners.org, scroll toward the bottom of the page until you see "Join our Mailing List". Enter your email address and click "Submit". Or, email chitra@lakecitypartners.org

Here are a few opportunities to volunteer

Companionship Hosts: This opportunity is for those interested in getting to know our residents and assisting in providing a welcoming environment. This role will consist of working in four hour shifts in the foyer of The Oaks, sitting with residents in companionship. 

Volunteers will make coffee, maintain the coffee bar and assist our Shelter Navigators with light cleaning of the space. We ask that volunteers interested in this position commit to one shift every 10 days. A consistent presence and welcoming attitude will enrich the space greatly.

Cleanup for Fall/Winter: We are inviting a group of volunteers on the outside property of The Oaks for a single or series of clean up events. Tasks will include sweeping up leaves, helping to prepare the garden for winter and beautifying the courtyard. A great opportunity for an organization or family.

Gift Making: We are requesting donations of materials to make handmade gifts as well as time assisting residents in crafting their gift. Some gift ideas include card making, painting or jewelry making. We are open to suggestions of any ideas that volunteers would like to facilitate at The Oaks.

Gift delivery assistance: For the winter holidays, many residents will want to send a gift either locally or across the country. We are requesting that volunteers sign up to help a resident (or a few!) to send their gift to a friend or family member. This will include picking up the gift, donating shipping costs and getting it in the mail.

The North King County Shelter at The Oaks is a King County housing project run by Lake City Partners. It is located in Shoreline at 16357 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline WA, 98133.

Contact Lake City Partners contact@lakecitypartners.org



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Health Through Housing: first residents move in this week to a former Seattle hotel in north Seattle

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

The Mary Pilgrim Inn will house 100 people
Photo courtesy King County

The first residents will move in this week to a former Seattle hotel re-opening with a new purpose: providing safe and secure homes for people exiting chronic homelessness, as a part of Executive Constantine’s Health through Housing initiative.

The first 15 residents are scheduled to move in by the end of this week, and around 100 will be in their new homes by the end of next week. The initial group will include residents moving from an emergency shelter in Renton, as well as unsheltered individuals from the North Seattle area.

“This summer when we announced these properties, some openly questioned our resolve – but now people who have been trapped in chronic homelessness are moving into a safe, dignified place of their own,” said Executive Constantine. 
“In just three months, we’ve gone from purchase to opening the doors and people resting their heads on their own pillows. And while we mark an important milestone today, our work continues. Before we are done, some 1,600 people will have left the streets behind and be on a path to better health, greater stability, and a more promising future.”

As part of agreements with local jurisdictions, Health Through Housing properties will contain units dedicated for local residents of the community surrounding the property. 

In North Seattle, there are ongoing engagement efforts with local residents experiencing chronic homelessness, including at the encampments in the Bitter Lake area, and King County will provide resources to help provide housing to individuals from the community at the two North Seattle properties.

The onsite service provider, DESC, has a long history of providing shelter, housing, treatment, and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness and is a national pioneer in the “housing first” model of serving chronically homeless people.

The agency has partnered with King County for over 25 years. DESC announced that the new emergency housing program will be named the “Mary Pilgrim Inn” in honor of a longtime DESC shelter nurse. Known affectionately by clients and staff alike as “Nurse Mary”, she provided bandages and flu shots hand in hand with compassion and great humor.

Purchased in July 2021 for $17.5 million, the Mary Pilgrim Inn is conveniently located near transportation options, shopping, and other services. It was constructed in 2001 and contains 99 units. 

Meal service will be provided for residents. In addition to their own apartment with a bed, comfortable chair, bathroom and shower, a small refrigerator, and microwave and linens, every resident will also have access to 24/7 case management and a range of other services and supports available onsite.

King County has seven other Health Through Housing properties currently in different stages of development:
  • Seattle: Former Inn at Queen Anne – Catholic Community Services (CCS) has been selected as the onsite service provider. The site is currently in operation as a de-intensified shelter site as CCS and the County prepare for its transition to a Health Through Housing site.
  • Renton: Former Extended Stay America Hotel – Currently in the permitting review and approval process with the City of Renton.
  • Redmond: Former Silver Cloud Hotel – Currently in the community engagement phase in preparation for preparing the Request for Proposal process to select an onsite service provider via a competitive process.
  • Auburn: Former Clarion Inn – King County is working with the City of Auburn to finalize the Request for Proposal process to select an onsite service provider via a competitive process.
  • Federal Way: Former Extended Stay America – Temporarily serving as emergency housing for over 100 refugees from Afghanistan, most likely through the end of 2021. It will become a Health Through Housing site in 2022.
  • North Seattle: Former Extended Stay America – DESC will also serve as operator for this North Seattle location. It is currently in preparation for occupancy and the staffing hiring process is underway.
  • Pioneer Square: Canton Lofts – Final stages of construction are continuing.

The Health Through Housing (HTH) initiative is a regional approach to addressing chronic homelessness on a countywide scale. By the end of 2022, King County will partner with local jurisdictions to create up to 1,600 emergency housing and permanent supportive housing units for people experiencing chronic homelessness. 

By acquiring existing facilities, such as former hotels and other similar properties, HTH quickly creates housing that is dignified, protective, and service enriched. King County is committed to working with local cities and communities to identify suitable properties and will participate in planning and community engagement together.



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LFP Council Corner – Planning Commission’s recommendations for ADU Code to be discussed at November 4 meeting

Saturday, October 30, 2021

LFP Deputy Mayor Phillippa Kassover
By Lake Forest Park Deputy Mayor Phillippa Kassover

We are all aware that housing shortages in our region are driving the cost of homes out of reach to many young families, empty nesters, and retirees. 

Elected officials throughout the Puget Sound area have been grappling with how to increase the number of housing units to accommodate the growth of our region’s workforce and the needs of those with lower or fixed incomes, without destroying the essential character of our cities, towns, and neighborhoods. 

Many of our neighboring cities have created special Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) zones along transit corridors, near stops and stations, which allow more density than in other neighborhoods.

Here in Lake Forest Park, the Council approved the addition of 250 units in the Town Center property, adjacent to the SR 522 Bus Rapid Transit station, with requirements for affordable units. The Council also approved an ordinance offering tax incentives to all LFP multifamily property owners and developers who include a percentage of affordable units in their buildings.

To meet our community values of providing diverse housing options, while preserving the climate resilience provided by our valuable urban forest, the Council also asked the Planning Commission to review our Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance, which allows the inclusion of apartments in the main house or the addition of a detached cottage (DADU) on the property. 

Over the past few years, Council had heard from a variety of homeowners that the current ordinance was very restrictive, including preventing the building of detached units in front or side yards, even though many of our homes in LFP are built in the rear of the property.

Over this past summer, the Planning Commission thoroughly reviewed the ordinance and surveyed the community about the issue. After much thoughtful discussion, the Commission has now forwarded its recommendations to the Council, which will begin discussions at a special meeting at 7pm on Thursday, November 4, 2021.

The Planning Commission has made several key recommendations, including:
  1. removal of the rear-yard restriction, 
  2. continuation of the current owner-occupancy requirements, 
  3. raising the height restriction to 25 feet to allow building an apartment on top of a garage or other structure, and 
  4. allowing both an ADU and a DADU on larger lots of one acre or more.

Click here to learn more about the survey findings and the Commission’s work.

As always, the City Council encourages all residents with an interest in these issues to tune in to our meetings and to make public comment or email the Council



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King County simplifies and improves Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance Program

Friday, October 8, 2021

arian malek khosravi on unsplash
King County has simplified and improved its Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance Program in recent weeks, increasing payments that will keep King County residents safe in their homes and prevent homelessness. 

The number of households receiving rent payments increased for the fourth week in a row, paying $7.7 million last week and reaching a total of $46.3 million in payments in 2021. 

Last week’s $7.7 million in payments is the largest amount processed in one week so far.

A total of 4,656 tenants have had their rent paid, and more than 14,172 tenants have applications being processed. King County has also launched a new program designed to intervene in eviction proceedings. 

This year’s payments are in addition to the more than $37 million distributed in 2020.

“King County is committed to supporting tenants and local property owners alike to get through the financial hardships of this lingering pandemic,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. 
“We moved with urgency to implement new federal rules and reassigned dozens of staff to process a flood of applications. 
"Today, our community partnerships are strong, our data system is working well, and our team is getting millions of dollars out weekly to stabilize both landlords and tenants across the county.”
More information here



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Lake City Partners welcomes new Executive Director

Friday, October 1, 2021

Walter Washington,
Executive Director
of The Oaks
By Diane Hettrick

Lake City Partners Ending Homelessness has welcomed its new Executive Director, Walter Washington.

Lake City Partners provides services to unhoused citizens in the Lake City area, extending up into Shoreline. 

They are the managing agency for the new King County housing facility on Aurora in Shoreline, The Oaks.

The former director, Melanie Neufeld, returned to her home in Canada this summer.

Of his new position, Washington says,

My first month as Executive Director has been a wonderful mix of learning opportunities, healthy challenges, and smiles a plenty. 
Among the highlights has been the first-hand witness of the care and thoughtfulness of our Staff and Board Members. 
Our Lake City Partners team is truly up for the challenge!

The shelter has been in operation for exactly six months and is at full capacity now. 

Shelter residents cleaning up around the facility.
Photo courtesy The Oaks
Washington reports that "People are making progress with their health, some folks are getting their ID’s, and a few are enthusiastically undertaking regular neighborhood cleanups in and around the shelter vicinity."

During August 2021, they hosted two expectant couples and were able to find the resources to get both couples into stable housing before the birth of the children.

The Oaks welcomes community volunteers. 

In its first days, LFP Artist Billy King headed a successful effort to get art throughout the facility. Diggin' Shoreline created raised garden beds for vegetables, and other organizations provided food for the residents.



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Rod Dembowski: Light link rail station opens October 2 at Northgate; affordable housing by station

Sunday, September 26, 2021

Site of affordable housing adjacent to Northgate Station

On the west side of District 1, there have been many exciting developments at Northgate. As you may know on October 2nd the Link light rail station at Northgate will open. Riders will now be able to get from Northgate to downtown Seattle in 14 (traffic-free) minutes.

As part of the County’s effort to build housing at or near transit hubs, just this week the County announced a proposed lease agreement to build 232 new affordable housing units adjacent to the light rail station.

All units will be affordable to households earning 60 percent or less of the area median income in 2021, or $69,400 for a family of four. The development will provide a mix of unit sizes including at least 52 two- or three-bedroom units. 

Additionally, the site will have childcare to help support working families. My staff worked closely with Metro to bring this project online, and more information can be found here.

These exciting developments at Northgate are in addition to the Seattle Kraken opening their Kraken Community Iceplex earlier this month. The Iceplex is housed at the former Northgate Mall, and includes three NHL-sized ice rinks. The beautiful new facility will host youth and amateur hockey for the public.

--County Councilmember Rod Dembowski



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Rapid housing fund contributes to permanent supportive housing in Seattle

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Sen. David Frockt, D-46
Upon the announcement this month by the Washington Department of Commerce of $39 million in grants to five projects that will acquire 307 units of urgently needed housing to address homelessness, Sen. David Frockt (D-46), vice chair for the Capital Budget on the Senate Ways and Means Committee and lead sponsor of the budget’s new Rapid Housing Fund, commented:

“The goal of this fund was for the state to partner with local governments, nonprofits and the private sector more aggressively to make more units available rapidly – not in three or four years but within months. 
"I am pleased that this initial round appears to be moving toward that goal. I think there are likely to be more units rapidly developed in Seattle and King County in upcoming rounds of funding.

“Our state goal needs to be to join with local communities to get people living in parks, tents, under bridges and in other unsheltered spaces in our cities, under a roof with the supports they need.

“The kinds of housing that these grants bring online—temporary housing where people have their own rooms, permanent supportive housing where people can receive the behavioral health treatment they need—are critical. 
"I am under no illusions that this is easy or that every placement is 100% successful for these individuals. But the crisis is right before our eyes in this city and has been for years, and we have no choice but to keep working to improve the situation.

“Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the local governments to use the tools the state has provided, be it direct grants, housing vouchers funds, permanent supportive dollars, and bonding and sales tax authority, to create the housing ecosystem to meet the needs of this population and to improve the quality of life for all the residents of our city.

“The long-term solution to homelessness is to build more supportive housing across our state. But given how much time is needed for construction, we have to take immediate steps to rectify the unacceptable situations that many of our neighbors find themselves in. 
"That is why I am calling for an additional investment of up to $400 million in rapid housing out of remaining federal relief funds when the Legislature next meets.”

Sharon Lee, executive director of the Low Income Housing Institute, which received grants for three projects in King County, added:

“The downturn in the real estate market due to the pandemic made it possible for three newly constructed apartment buildings to be purchased as permanent supportive housing for vulnerable homeless people. 
"Thanks to the State’s Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition program, the Low Income Housing Institute will soon move in 180 people currently living on the streets, shelters and tiny houses into studio apartments. We appreciate the leadership from Governor Inslee and the Legislature in innovating this new program to address homelessness.”

These grants represent phase I of the 2021 Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition (RCHA) program. Phase II is scheduled to open on September 30, 2021. Information can be found at https://www.commerce.wa.gov/building-infrastructure/housing/housing-trust-fund/.

Sen. David Frockt, D-Seattle, represents the 46th Legislative District, which includes Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, Lake City, Pinehurst, Northgate, Wedgwood, Windermere, and Laurelhurst.



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Development: The Geo I Apartments in Shoreline's Town Center

Monday, September 6, 2021

Geo I apartments on Midvale Ave N
Photos by Mike Remarcke

Geo I is an apartment community in Shoreline's town center, on Midvale just north of Shoreline City Hall at N 180th.

The Geo I lobby has comfortable seating and a fireplace

Geo I is complete and held its grand opening celebration in August of 2020. Geo II construction right next door is underway.

Underground parking garage

Drawing inspiration in both name and design from the beauty of geology, the 164-unit Geo I offers high-end, downtown Seattle style living at a Shoreline price point (including a number of MFTE program affordable units).

Common areas include a large game room with a kitchen

Set back just off Aurora, the community is ideally situated for a quick commute to work (or play) by car, Rapid Ride E Line bus or the upcoming Lynnwood Link light rail, scheduled for completion in 2024.

A fully equipped gym is available to residents
 
Nearby access to the Interurban Trail, and Shoreline Schools are a significant perk, with on-site, ground floor retail tenants poised to add to that list in the coming months.

A large rooftop patio has a kitchen, ample seating, and a view

Residents at Geo will enjoy such amenities as a state-of-the art fitness facility, an off-leash dog park with grooming center, a rooftop lounge with Seattle skyline/Rainier views, co-working collaborative spaces and a beautifully landscaped courtyard.

Dog run and grooming center on site

The studio, one- and two-bedroom floor plan options include high ceilings, extra-large windows, designer lighting, ceiling fans and modern, soft-close cabinetry.

Main living area in a one-bedroom unit

The project was designed to provide a high-quality housing option for those who love the city but prefer the warmth and interconnectivity of Shoreline’s close-knit, “small town” feel when it comes to where they call home.

Well design kitchen with island

The Geo I is in the middle of Shoreline's designated Town Center within walking distance of restaurants,  grocery stores, a large medical clinic, drugstores, a bank, the post office and more.

Generously sized bedrooms

If interested in learning more about the community, neighborhood and how to reserve an apartments, readers can visit geoapts.com or call 206-876-7775.



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Updates on King County rental assistance program

Thursday, September 2, 2021

King County's Department of Community and Human Services has published an update on King County's Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance program, including some late breaking updates in federal policy that will allow more assistance to be distributed faster.

As noted in the blog, King County has distributed more than $22 million in rental assistance this year to help more than 3,400 households stay in their homes. That amount, expected to grow by more than $6 million every week, is on top of the $40 million distributed in 2020.

The notable federal policy changes are outlined in the blog as well:

In response to nationwide challenges to quickly dispersing rental assistance funds, the U.S. Department of Treasury last week announced changes to federal requirements that will help to smooth out some of the biggest snags to getting funding out the door. 

In addition to increasing staff assigned to the EPRAP team, King County is focusing on rapid assessment and implementation of two changes to quickly increase the rate of payment in the EPRAP program. 

King County’s upcoming EPRAP blogs will provide updates on implementation of these changes in the Treasury guidance:
  • Tenants may now self-attest to income, housing instability and financial impacts due to COVID-19, with the potential to streamline both the application and approval process that have previously slowed down payments.
  • Rent assistance programs like EPRAP may now also be able to advance assistance to property owners and landlords based on estimated eligible arrears, making it possible to provide a portion of the estimated bulk payment due to large landlords in anticipation of full satisfaction of the application and documentation requirements.
See the full web version



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