KING COUNTY, Wash. — The King County Regional Homeless Authority said on Tuesday that 75 people who were experiencing homelessness in the Chinatown-International District were moved to shelters, inpatient treatments or other types of housing resources.
The efforts to support people living at Interstate 5 and South Dearborn Street follow an intensive six-week collaborative push thanks to a resolution stemming from part of Gov. Jay Inslee’s right-of-way safety initiative, with funding from the state legislature and implementation through other state, county, city and agency work.
The initiative addressed the risk of those living close to highways and roadways, in which $50 million was earmarked in 2022 for moving people at encampments on rights-of-way.
“I appreciate the incredible dedication of the community organizations and agency teams who have been ensuring we can provide safer options to some of our unhoused neighbors living in dangerous right-of-way locations,” said Gov. Inslee.
The majority of people living at the Dearborn encampment were moved into hotels and other non-congregate shelters with onsite supportive services, while others have been placed in permanent housing, officials said.
“We know what works to help stem the homelessness crisis, but we need a lot more of it. When people experiencing homelessness are offered a place to go — supportive housing or enhanced shelter that meets people’s needs — they move inside,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine.
In May, Inslee gave an update on the efforts to combat homelessness statewide and cited a heightened capacity to get people off of the streets and into shelters faster than ever before.
The Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition program was also discussed, which allows local entities to purchase sites like hotels or apartment buildings and turn them into shelters or housing for homeless people.
During that time, the state Department of Commerce had already allocated grants for such projects in 12 counties and cities.
While the homeless crisis continues to be a challenge, the state has already provided nearly $14 million in state funds for the first round of encampment work in King County and $144 million statewide to move those from right-of-way areas.
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