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SUMMARY
King County has awarded $2 million in funding to local nonprofits to assist in rapidly serving unsheltered asylum-seekers and refugees currently residing in or near Tukwila.
STORY
Today King County announced $2 million in funding to support four nonprofits in their work to provide temporary housing, food, support, and legal services to asylees and refugees in Tukwila.
Given the urgency to support these asylees and refugees, King County increased its original grant funding opportunity from $1 million to $2 million utilizing part of the larger $5 million funding opportunity for cities in south King County to assist in local homelessness response efforts, announced in December 2023. King County will announce later this week the recipients of the remaining $3 million of that funding.
These investments are part of broader countywide efforts to provide additional safe emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness as they work to find stable, long-term housing.
"We appreciate that the state will begin to implement its long-term solutions this summer to support these asylees and refugees in Tukwila and across Washington. With this $2 million in local funding King County continues to step up to provide urgent assistance in the near term," said Executive Dow Constantine. "Working with these community-based organizations will help bring some stability to those in need right now.”
The four nonprofits receiving funding are:
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Coalicion – Dignidad Migrante (in partnership with Cooperativa Sanarte, fiscal sponsor) will receive $250,000 to support case management and wrap-around support services.
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Northwest Immigrant Rights Project will receive $250,000 to expand its work of providing asylum-seeking individuals and families with legal services to navigate work authorizations, notices of appeal, temporary protected status, asylum applications, and motions to change venue/change address.
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Lutheran Community Services Northwest will receive $750,000 to provide housing and case management services to asylum-seeking families and individuals.
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Refugee Women’s Alliance will receive $750,000 to provide housing and case management services to asylum-seeking families and individuals, in partnership with Low Income Housing Institute.
"Thank you for acknowledging the work of migrant organizers with this funding, who for a long time have been finding housing and sharing resources with each other," said a Coalicion Dignidad Migrante representative.
“On behalf of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, we are tremendously grateful for the visionary leadership of King County in enabling this immediate response to assist our county’s newest residents. We recognize that the need goes far beyond legal services but also know that access to legal immigration status and work authorization builds stability in individual households and, as a result, helps our entire community thrive,” said Northwest Immigrant Rights Project Executive Director Malou Chávez. “We are grateful to be partners in this important work and look forward to a collective approach in supporting our communities."
"Lutheran Community Services NW is committed to supporting asylum-seekers and promoting community inclusivity. While we know the path forward will not be easy for refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities, our team is prepared to offer comprehensive assistance, including housing navigation, in-kind support, and personalized case management,” said Najib Nazhat, district director for Lutheran Community Services NW. "Together, we empower individuals on their journey toward self-sufficiency, honoring their resilience and courage that got them here."
“I am excited and grateful to King County for providing funding to REWA to assist and serve asylum seekers and refugees in Tukwila,” said Refugee Women’s Alliance Executive Director Mahnaz Eshetu. “In partnership with Low Income Housing Institute and Riverton Park United Methodist Church, Great Expectations and Colectiva Legal Del Pueblo, we will be able to house families, provide in house case management, immigration and legal services, employment assistance and support the entire family through REWA’s holistic, and culturally responsive services.”
“Thanks to Executive Constantine and his team for acting swiftly to respond to the urgent humanitarian and housing needs for asylee-seekers in our region — this additional $2 million, allocated through a transparent and thorough process, helps respond to the unique migrant needs and requests,” said King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, who along with Councilmember Barón requested additional funding for the evolving situation at Riverton. “We know that more resources are needed and forthcoming, thanks to the State Legislature, and that a coordinated response in partnership with state agencies, county and local jurisdictions is critical for sustainable solutions to a national crisis. Thanks to the organizers and service providers at Riverton Park United Methodist Church and throughout the region who have been working around the clock to serve asylee-seekers for over half a year. This funding recognizes that this is not the responsibility of any one jurisdiction or organization; we will continue to work towards a coordinated response in our region together.”
This new funding is the latest investment that King County has made since late 2023 to support the City of Tukwila and the Riverton Park United Methodist Church in their work to support those arriving and seeking asylum.
In November, the King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) coordinated with the pastor at Riverton Park United Methodist Church in Tukwila to relocate 24 people seeking asylum from an encampment into eight rooms at a hotel in the area, with priority given to pregnant people and families with young children.
In December, the King County Council in partnership with Governor Inslee, approved $3 million for initial support, the first government-designated housing resource to assist people at this site. King County DCHS contracted with Thrive International to move more people into hotel rooms. Currently, all 100 rooms are occupied and more than 350 people have a temporary place to stay through July. Last month, DCHS announced a funding opportunity through the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy to increase access to support services for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in King County.
King County remains committed to interim support until the state can begin this summer to implement a state-wide and long-term approach to address the needs of asylum seekers. In March, Governor Inslee signed the operating budget that includes $5 million for King County to respond to the growing influx of asylum seekers across the region. This investment will be made available this summer.
In addition, the state allocated $25 million to the Washington Department of Social and Health Services Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance (DSHS ORIA) to provide support services, including housing assistance, food, transportation, childhood education services, education and employment supports, connection to legal services, and social services navigation.
King County is currently beginning the contracting process with the nonprofits and funding will cover costs incurred from the contract start date through December 31, 2025.
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