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Summary
Following a letter of conditional support from Mayor Bruce Harrell outlining a launch plan, Executive Shannon Braddock submitted a proposal to the King County Council to open the second Crisis Care Center in the region.
Story
Today, King County Executive Shannon Braddock and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced next steps for a Crisis Care Center in Seattle providing behavioral health care for people experiencing a mental health, drug, or alcohol crisis. The facility would be located at the former Polyclinic building at 1145 Broadway.
King County voters approved the Crisis Care Centers Initiative in 2023 to create five centers across the region where anyone can walk in for behavioral health and substance use care.
In recent years, King County has seen a significant increase in demand for crisis services, driven by rising rates of behavioral health conditions and substance use disorders, and the ongoing fentanyl crisis. These centers will provide immediate help, connections to ongoing care, and a safe, stable place to recover that’s available to everyone — regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
The facility in Seattle’s First Hill neighborhood would serve the central region as part of a new, countywide network of five crisis centers. King County established its first center last year with Connections Kirkland, serving North King County communities.
“Collaboration across our region made this major step toward expanding crisis services possible,” said Executive Braddock. “From the start, King County has worked hand-in-hand with communities across the region, including Seattle, to increase access to behavioral health treatment and services. The City of Seattle’s partnership is a strong example of how local governments can come together to make care accessible. By engaging residents, first responders, local organizations, and businesses, we’ve heard loud and clear the urgent need for immediate care. We know treatment works — we just need more of it.”
“This Crisis Care Center will serve as a remedy for suffering and disorder we too frequently see on our streets — it means more effective treatment to help people recover,” said Mayor Harrell. “As we continue our work to support those in need, create community safety, and revitalize the health and vitality of this neighborhood and our entire city, ensuring this location is a success will require the comprehensive approach we have advocated for. This is an important next step in the City’s public health effort — building on the monumental gains we’ve made through the CARE Department’s behavioral health alternative response, SFD’s Health 99 team, and record investments in substance use treatment and post-overdose care.”
Over the past four months, King County has held more than 40 presentations and community conversations with First Hill and Capitol Hill residents, organizations, businesses, hospitals, and first responders.
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