TELL KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE DOW CONSTANTINE AND THE MEMBERS OF THE METROPOLITAN KING COUNTY COUNCIL:
We Support the Health Through Housing Initiative!
King County recently purchased a hotel in Redmond to be converted into emergency and supportive housing units through Executive Dow Constantine’s innovative Health Through Housing initiative. By the end of 2022, King County aims to create up to 1,600 units of supportive housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness––and all of our region stands to benefit. With affordable housing in our area out of reach for so many, providing permanent supportive housing for people most in need is a central strategy in the fight to end homelessness.
Please add your name to our petition telling King County Executive Dow Constantine and the members of the King County Council that you support the Health Through Housing Implementation plan.
Petition:
Dear King County Executive Dow Constantine, members of the Metropolitan King County Council,
We, the undersigned, write to offer our enthusiastic support for the Health Through Housing Implementation plan proposal that will help create 1600 units of new and affordable housing to support people experiencing homelessness in King County. At a time when the lack of affordable housing has been exacerbated by the pandemic and housing costs drive more vulnerable households into homelessness, we are eager to continue Health Through Housing’s historic progress in eliminating chronic homelessness in our region.
- Housing Ends Homelessness: Supportive housing created by the Health Through Housing initiative is the most effective solution to address homelessness in our region. All local studies and national experts agree that if we are to make progress on homelessness, we must rapidly and strategically create enough supportive housing for those who need it.
- We Must Support The Most Vulnerable Populations In Our Region: The most effective use of dollars is to house those who have the least amount of other support –– single adults experiencing chronic homelessness or on the verge. Further, chronic adult homelessness disproportionately affects people of color, and new permanent supportive housing helps improve racial equity in housing across our region.
- Health Through Housing Protects Public Health And Promotes Community Safety: Supportive housing and single-room settings are an important way to reduce the likelihood of Delta variant transmission compared to large congregate shelters. A recent University of Washington study indicated that people in single-room settings had increased feelings of stability, improved their health and well-being, reduced 911 calls, and had higher rates of exit to permanent housing.
- We Support the Plan as Proposed: We strongly support the Health Through Housing implementation plan as proposed. It’s important to have accountability over the sales and tax proceeds through a health through housing advisory committee
Signed,