New Initiatives to Address Homelessness in King County

Your Update on What's Happening at the King County Council  

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

In the last week, I’ve introduced two pieces of legislation aimed at addressing homelessness in unincorporated King County. My goal is to create County-wide standards for removing homeless encampments that are presenting a hazard to nearby communities, while also connecting those who need assistance with shelter space, substance use treatment, mental health resources, and other programs.

I believe that allowing people who are experiencing homelessness to live in camps on our streets and in our parks isn’t compassion—it’s indifference. These are human beings at their most vulnerable who often need treatment for addiction, mental illness, or the structure and safety that a shelter can provide. Sadly, these encampments can also cause public health hazards, fire hazards, and concerns about violence and criminal activity for surrounding communities.

King County is investing hundreds of millions of dollars in homelessness services such as shelter space and behavioral health programs, as well as eviction prevention. As these services ramp up, now is the time to make a concerted effort to connect folks in need with the help that is available.

I share more about this legislation below and will keep you updated as it moves through the Council.

All my best,

Reagan Dunn Vice Chair Metropolitan King County Council

Dunn Proposes Creating Standards for Homeless Encampment Removal

Councilmember Reagan Dunn with Local Services Director John Taylor and Dunn's Chief of Staff Cody Eccles at a homeless encampment in Maple Valley.

Yesterday I proposed a motion that would require King County to develop standards for the removal of homeless encampments. These camps have formed on public property in unincorporated areas of King County, which includes rural, suburban and some urban areas of the County, causing public health and safety concerns in surrounding communities.

The standards would include conditions for when King County will remove an encampment, including when the camp presents a public health hazard through the presence of untreated sewage, biohazardous waste, or exposure to infectious diseases; when the camp is a fire hazard; if there are reports of violence or criminal activity; if the camp obstructs access to rights of way or public resources such as playgrounds or schools; or creates ADA accessibility issues. The guidelines would also specify conditions under which encampments wouldn’t be removed, such as if there is a lack of available shelter space.

Read more here.

Dunn Seeks to Create Homeless Outreach Teams for Unincorporated King County

Last week, I introduced a motion to create outreach teams to address homelessness in unincorporated neighborhoods and connect unsheltered people with housing and services.

Homelessness has been a growing concern in rural and suburban areas of the county, and it sometimes takes a proactive approach to get folks who are living outside the help they need. These outreach teams would meet people where they're at, connect them to housing and services, and put them on a path toward a more stable life.

Read more here. 

In the News

• Auburn Examiner: Dunn Proposes Creating Standards in King County for Homeless Encampment Removal
• Voice of the Valley: Dunn Seeks to Create Homeless Outreach Teams for Unincorporated King County