King County Eyes Kirkland Hotel For Supportive Housing

KIRKLAND, WA — King County is considering adding a Kirkland hotel to its growing Health Through Housing roster, which could provide the Eastside with another supportive housing resource for people experiencing long-term homelessness.

The county has previously purchased eight hotels with a goal of having more than 1,600 units available with staffed by the end of 2022. The program includes four former hotels in Seattle, along with purchases finalized in Redmond, Renton, Auburn and Federal Way.

In Kirkland, city and county officials released statements this week on the potential acquisition of a La Quinta Inn. While the sale is not final, the city lent its support to the plan and detailed how the program would work after fielding a large number of questions and concerns from the community. The City Council also transmitted a formal letter of support for the sale in late January.

Kirkland City Manager Kurt Triplett writes:

"If King County purchases La Quinta, this would become a permanent supportive housing site, which fills a gap in Kirkland's 'continuum of care' for people experiencing homelessness. This site would provide a permanent home, including the stability of privacy, the same bed to sleep in every night, and one's own bathroom. Tenants will also have connections to health and behavioral health treatment and services, 24/7 on-site staffing, as well as a case manager to help navigate community systems. Studies show these elements create a solid base to begin to rebuild lives. This would not be a homeless shelter."

The Health Through Housing program, funded by sales tax revenue, is designed to give people experiencing chronic homelessness a safe and private place to live until they are able to secure a stable income and traditional housing. Triplett noted future residents would be subject to a screening and referral process and the site would not accept walk-ups. The city manager also clarified that the property would not be a "safe injection site," and said residents would be subject to the same laws as anywhere else.

"Like other private residences in our community, substance use that is legal in anyone's home would be legal here," Triplett said. "However, the 24/7 onsite agency staff will directly engage anyone exhibiting problem behaviors due to substance use and offer treatment services. Unlawful activities would not be permitted."

While the county's final decision on purchasing the property is still pending, Triplett said city staff would continue their community engagement process, including meeting with residents and businesses located near the property. Officials said a final decision on the purchase could come within a few days or weeks.

"Turning the tide on chronic homelessness requires unified action," King County Executive Dow Constantine said Wednesday. "Just as communities have acted together to protect lives and health during the COVID-19 pandemic, we must also act together, as one region, to house our unsheltered neighbors. I am looking forward to working closely with the City of Kirkland — welcoming partners who have voiced strong support and partnership in building a regional solution to this regional challenge."

More information on the Health Through Housing program and the potential hotel purchase is available online.