Helping People

The Kirkland City Council acknowledges that not everyone has had the same experience throughout the pandemic and that certain members of the Kirkland community need additional support. City Council has made it a priority to support Kirkland community members needing assistance with food, shelter, mental health services, and other accessible services.

To support the members of the community that have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, City Council has dedicated nearly $4.3 million in COVID-19 recovery funds to support people in need in Kirkland.


Housing Stability

miniature red and white home with a set of keysCity Council identified housing stability as a community priority in the earliest phases of the pandemic. In an early response to the impacts of COVID-19 in the Kirkland community, the City dedicated CARES relief funding to support housing stability in Kirkland. This program provided rent assistance to 70 Kirkland households. The City also provided $25,000 in 2020 to support Eastside Legal Assistance Program (ELAP) rental assistance program. This funding supported 86 Kirkland residents facing housing instability.  

Based on the need demonstrated by the community, the City operated two phases of the Residential Rent Relief Program (RRRP) in partnership with India Association of Western Washington and 4 Tomorrow. RRRP Phase I and II provided 140 Kirkland households who were past due on rent and mortgage with nearly $1 million in financial assistance from November 2021 to November 2022. The City also contributed $237,000 in rent assistance funding to Imagine Housing properties located in Kirkland.

The Utility Relief Program assisted Kirkland households that incurred utility arrears and encountered financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Between March 2020 and August 2022, the City awarded a total of $86,388 in utilities relief to 55 households.


Kirkland Health Fair

logo of the King County Promotores Network To increase community access to healthcare and COVID-19 vaccinations, the City partnered with King County Promotoras Network to host the first Kirkland Health Fair in 2021 to provide free healthcare services to the community.  During the event, 157 COVID-19 vaccinations were administered, 31 Basic Health Screening were performed, 8 dental procedures were performed, and 13 adults and 3 children received dental screenings/referrals.

Back by popular demand, the City held a second Health Fair in October 2022. This event was attended by approximately 921 people from across East King County, the Greater King County, and as far away as Eastern Washington. This event proved almost 300 vaccinations to folks ranging from babies to older adults. Critical health screenings and dental services were provided to almost 100 participants. 

This image shows the logo of the King County Promotores Network, the organization that partnered with the City for the first inaugural Kirkland Health Fair.


Shelter Support

shelter beds - small.png Supporting local organizations and non-profits that focus on housing stability in Kirkland was another focus of the City Council. The City has provided $672,000 in COVID-19 specific recovery funding since December 2020 to Eastside Homelessness Coordination, Catholic Community Services of Western Washington, Friends of Youth, Imagine Housing, and The Sophia Way.

This image shows shelter beds covered in handmade colorful quilts. The image is of the Kirkland Place for Families and Women, which opened on August 19, 2020. The center provides emergency shelter and day center services for families and women experiencing homelessness. 


Other City Programs

Mental Health Services

City funding was provided to increase the capacity and capabilities of mental health programs in the local community for youth, individuals, families, and BIPOC residents.  

Behavioral Health Agency Support

The City provided financial support to help staff local behavioral health agencies operating and providing services during the pandemic. 

Accessible COVID-19 Information

The City awarded grant funding to Lake Washington School Foundation to create weekly news videos for Spanish speaking community members, with the intent of providing vital information about COVID-related updates, policies, and protocols.

Language and Digital Equitable Access Grants 

The City administered $110,000 to organizations that serve communities on the Eastside that have historically experienced English and/or technology literacy barriers and been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds are supporting agencies bridging the equitable divide through investment in a sustainable hybrid model of services for residents accessing basic need services.

Access to Fresh Food

The City provided $100,000 in grant funding to support residents with access to fresh food, including produce, dairy, and meat products at the local food bank in Kirkland. 

Agencies Supported by City COVID-19 Funding

  • 4 Tomorrow

  • Alpha Supported Living Services

  • Attain Housing

  • AtWork!

  • Boys and Girls Club of KC

  • Catholic Community Services

  • Community Homes

  • Congregations for the Homeless
  • Eastside Baby Corner

  • Eastside Legal Assistance Program

  • Fair Housing Center of WA

  • Friends of Youth

  • Hopelink

  • IKRON

  • Imagine Housing

  • Immigrant Women’s Community Center 

  • Indian American Community Services

  • Lake Washington School District

  • Lake Washington School Foundation
  • Latino Community Fund

  • LifeWire

  • Muslim Community Resource Center

  • Sound Generations

  • The Sophia Way

  • U-Power

  • YMCA

  • Youth Eastside Services