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Today, King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) announced the selection of an operator for the Health Through Housing (HTH) building in Redmond. The building now moves into the next phase of implementation before welcoming people by early 2024.
The Salvation Army will provide 24/7 onsite operations at the building beginning in 2024. The Salvation Army is a long-standing regional provider of emergency shelter and long-term housing assistance. Throughout the COVID-19 emergency, The Salvation Army worked directly with King County on emergency relief and continues to be a partner in serving people experiencing, or at risk of chronic homelessness.
"This is an exciting step for the Health Through Housing initiative and our ability to move toward bringing 1,600 people into long-term housing throughout King County,” said Leo Flor, DCHS Director. “Health Through Housing is a regional approach to address chronic homelessness, and it will take all of us from around the region to be a part of the solution. The City of Redmond continues to be a great partner in securing the positive impacts this initiative can and will provide. We look forward to our continued partnership with The Salvation Army and know this collaboration will be successful for the long run.”
The organization brings deep expertise in creating stability for people experiencing homelessness through strategies, including street outreach and diversion, utility and food assistance, housing programs, and connection to integrated physical and behavioral health care. The Salvation Army will begin hiring staff to provide a range of 24/7 services and support for the new residents. The operator, alongside King County and the City of Redmond, will also engage with local area residents, city leaders, and businesses before occupancy. The first meet and greet will take place in late October.
“We are elated that The Salvation Army has been selected to provide this lifesaving service to the Redmond community. Our vision is to make bold progress on permanent housing availability for all who are unhoused in King County,” said Lt. Colonel Cindy Foley.
Health Through Housing and other supportive housing models are designed to address chronic homelessness by partnering with local communities to provide safe and dignified housing options and stabilizing services for people with disabilities, including behavioral health conditions who experience ongoing housing instability. Supportive housing is proven to reduce substance use, reduce jail and hospital stays, and improve overall health outcomes. Health Through Housing buildings offer a nurse station, employment navigators, mobility and transportation assistance, spaces for community programming, and connection to behavioral health care.
"Addressing our regional homelessness crisis requires a united front, where government, organizations, and communities come together to find innovative solutions,” said Redmond Mayor Angela Birney. “Through Health Through Housing, we will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness and create a safe and stable place for our community members to call home.”
“The Salvation Army has a long history of serving people in need right here in this part of East King County and I am excited to welcome them as the contract partner operating the first Health Through Housing site on the Eastside,” said King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci. “This former hotel has already been put to good use by temporarily housing refugees from Afghanistan and now will move forward to serve its original purpose of providing stable, dignified housing accompanied by needed services. The Salvation Army understands the Eastside community and brings deep experience working with people experiencing and exiting homelessness. I look forward to working with them to make this Health through Housing site a success.”
Last year, the Redmond Health Through Housing building was used to temporarily provide a place for displaced refugees to stay from Afghanistan. From May through December, nearly 800 refugees received temporary housing, resettlement support, and connection to community. Of those who participated, 97 percent secured permanent housing.
To date, King County has secured 1,366 rooms and served 803 people in Health Through Housing buildings across six jurisdictions. The Redmond site will expand stable housing options to approximately 100 more individuals. King County anticipates additional building openings in 2024.
Learn more about King County’s Health Through Housing program: KingCounty.gov/HealthThroughHousing
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