Category: Housing and Homelessness
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New King County Data Shows Stable Housing Associated with Sustained Reductions in Jail Bookings
KING COUNTY – New King County data from the Department of Community & Human Services (DCHS) shows jail bookings declined nearly 27% in the first year after people moved into housing and continued to fall over time, reaching a 37.6% reduction within three years. An analysis of 5,371 residents between 2021 and 2025 found that 81% of residents with a recent jail…
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Executive Zahilay Statement on KCRHA’s Corrective Action Plan
Background Today, Executive Girmay Zahilay released the following statement after King County and the City of Seattle sent a letter to the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) responding to their Corrective Action Plan, which was submitted on May 22. Statement “Our assessment of KCRHA’s plan found inadequate corrective steps and a lack of clear timelines and deliverables for how the agency will strengthen its financial controls…
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Executive Zahilay Statement on King County Regional Homelessness Authority Forensic Audit
On Wednesday, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay released the following statement following a forensic evaluation report of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) commissioned by King County and the City of Seattle: “Solving King County’s significant homelessness crisis requires honesty about where the regional response system is falling short and a commitment among government partners to bring more…
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King County Executive Zahilay and Partners Celebrate the Opening of Copperleaf, a New 235-Unit Affordable Housing Community in Northgate
King County’s largest affordable housing investment, developed by BRIDGE Housing and Community Roots Housing, offers 235 units of high-quality affordable housing and amenities in a central Northgate location, steps from the Northgate Station SEATTLE (April 21, 2026) – King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, BRIDGE Housing, Community Roots Housing, and community members today celebrated the grand opening of Copperleaf Northgate (Copperleaf), a new transit-oriented affordable housing community…
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Executive Zahilay announces new Executive Order to break the cycle of homelessness, addiction, and incarceration in King County
Summary Executive Girmay Zahilay announced a new Executive Order to boost affordable housing and shelter options throughout the region and better integrate behavioral health services to confront cycles of homelessness, addiction, and incarceration. Story Today, Executive Girmay Zahilay signed an Executive Order to address the interconnected crises of homelessness, substance use disorder, untreated behavioral health needs, and repeated involvement in the criminal legal system impacting the health and…
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King County Executive Girmay Zahilay Appoints Dr. Susan McLaughlin to Lead King County Department of Community and Human Services
Seasoned behavioral health leader and current Acting Director tapped to advance affordable housing, behavioral health treatment, childcare, and human services efforts for King County residents King County, WA — Today, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay appointed Dr. Susan McLaughlin to serve as the Director of the King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS). Dr. McLaughlin currently serves as the department’s Acting Director. Dr. McLaughlin will lead the department tasked…
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King County celebrates Health Through Housing’s Booker House grand opening, adding new permanent supportive housing in South King County for people exiting homelessness
Summary King County Executive Girmay Zahilay joined local leaders to celebrate the grand opening of Booker House, a new Health Through Housing residence in Federal Way. Booker House provides 86 units of new permanent supportive housing for people exiting chronic homelessness, pairing stable housing with on-site health care and supportive services. Story Today, Executive Zahilay joined local leaders to celebrate the grand opening of Booker House,…
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King County Awards $23.7 Million to Eight Affordable Housing Developments, Creating 672 Homes Countywide
Summary Today, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced $23.7 million in Housing Finance Program (HFP) awards to eight affordable housing developments, creating 672 affordable homes across the county. Story Today, Executive Zahilay announced $23.7 million for eight affordable housing developments across South King County, East King County, and the City of Seattle. Together, these investments…
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Executive Zahilay statement following court decision to block new restrictions that threaten proven solutions to homelessness
Summary King County Executive Girmay Zahilay issued the following statement following a federal judge’s decision to grant a preliminary injunction that will temporarily block the Trump-Vance administration’s attempts to implement unlawful and unreasonable restrictions that seek to shift funding away from proven solutions to homelessness. Story “We are pleased that the federal court has granted a preliminary…
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King County files lawsuit against Trump administration over unlawful restrictions to housing and homelessness services
Summary A national coalition of local governments and nonprofit organizations filed a lawsuit on Monday, December 1 challenging the Trump administration’s unconstitutional action imposing unlawful conditions on the Continuum of Care grant program that seek to limit or dismiss proven housing solutions like permanent supportive housing. Story On Monday, a coalition of seven local governments and four…