King County Buys Kirkland Hotel For 'Health Through Housing'

KIRKLAND, WA — King County has finalized a deal to purchase a Kirkland hotel to be repurposed for the Health Through Housing program, which aims to house hundreds of people experiencing long-term homelessness by the end of the year. Kirkland's former La Quinta Inn & Suites, located at 10530 Northup Way, is the tenth hotel purchased for the program, following others in Seattle, Redmond, Renton, Auburn and Federal Way.

"I am grateful for our partnership with the City of Kirkland, Mayor Penny Sweet, and the local leaders who recognize the need for a countywide approach to some of the pressing issues we face as a region," King County Executive Dow Constantine said in a statement Thursday. "Expanding our network and partnering with communities, we are building a regional solution to chronic homelessness, and opening doors to a home for hundreds of people in King County."

The Kirkland hotel sits near Interstate 405 and is close to public transportation hubs. With 121 rooms and a large meeting space, officials said the Kirkland and Redmond hotels together will provide 265 units to serve Eastside needs.

Previous coverage: King County Eyes Kirkland Hotel For Supportive Housing

The Health Through Housing program differs from traditional shelters in a few ways, providing each resident with a private and stable place to call home, and staffed with onsite services to connect people with the resources they need to escape homelessness. Kirkland city leaders have lent their support to the plan throughout the process.

"Kirkland firmly believes in the vision for the Health Through Housing Initiative as it aligns with Kirkland's values of providing help and services to those experiencing homelessness in our city and region," Sweet said Thursday. "The conversion of this hotel into permanent supportive housing continues Kirkland's commitment to being a safe, inclusive and welcoming community where everyone belongs and will save lives. We look forward to continued collaboration with the County, Executive Constantine, and the community to ensure this site is a safe, successful part of the solution that addresses the growing homelessness humanitarian crisis in our region."

The Kirkland City Council on Tuesday approved a formal resolution mapping out the conditions it would need the county to fulfill to keep the city's full support, which includes ensuring:

• The city's opportunity to review and approve County selection process and criteria for the Facility Operator.
• City approval of terms and conditions of the Facility Operator agreement, such as resident screening criteria, operating standards, compliance with laws, and standards of care.
• A safety and security plan to be developed in consultation with and approved by the Kirkland Police Department.
• A community relations plan to be developed to address potential impacts on nearby schools, businesses, and/or residences including a proposed resolution and mitigation approach.
• Input on development of a tenant code of conduct in consultation with the Facility Operator, service providers, and those who have a lived experience of homelessness.

The resolution also mandates a community engagement process, including town hall meetings, where neighbors can provide feedback and ask questions.

King County's goal is to have up to 1,600 supportive housing units available across the program by the end of the year, and the Kirkland hotel is likely to see its first residents in 2023. Several community meetings are in the works, beginning in the spring.

Learn more about the Health Through Housing program on the county's website.