Responses to Questions by Central Houghton and Lakeview Neighborhoods
1. Who will be eligible to live at La Quinta and how will they be screened?
The target population is people whose income is at or below 30% of the area median and who are experiencing homelessness or at-risk of chronic homelessness, which are:
- An adult person with a disability who has been continuously homeless for a year or more OR
- An adult person with a disability who has experienced multiple episodes of homelessness in the past three years for a combined 12 months.
Source: King County Health Through Housing FAQs
King County Ordinance 19366 provides the following definitions:
“Experiencing chronic homelessness” refers to a household that includes an adult with a disability, that either is currently experiencing homelessness for at least twelve consecutive months or has experienced homelessness for a cumulative twelve months within the previous three years.
“At risk of experiencing chronic homelessness” describes a household that:
1. Includes an adult with a developmental, physical or behavioral health disability;
a) Is currently experiencing homelessness for only ten to twelve months in the previous three years; of
b) Has experienced homelessness for a cumulative total of twelve months within the last five years; and
2. Includes one adult that has been incarcerated within the previous five years in a jail or prison;
a) Includes one adult that has been detained or involuntarily committed under chapter 71.05 RCW as now existing, as hereafter amended or as supersede; or
b) Identifies as a member of a population that is demographically overrepresented among persons experiencing homelessness in King County.
Potential future residents will be screened using the County’s Coordinated Entry for All (CEA) system based on the tiers seen on Page 219 of staff’s November 15 Study Session presentation to the Kirkland City Council. They will also be screened by the facility operator and/or the County consistent with the terms of the City’s agreement with the County, within section 3 of the proposed PSHA (Permanent Supportive Housing Agreement) approved by Council on March 21, 2023.
Supplemental information can be found on the City's Health Through Housing webpage.
2. How will people be referred to this facility?
Each HTH property will serve as a local resource for people experiencing or at risk of experiencing chronic homelessness in that jurisdiction, while also being a component of a regionwide system of emergency and permanent supportive housing. King County will work with local jurisdictions to create referral pathways for area residents. In addition to local referral, referrals to HTH units will occur through King County’s Coordinated Entry (CEA) system. Prospective residents will be assessed by a CEA team member to determine eligibility and whether this placement would be appropriate.
The County and the onsite provider will collaborate with the local city on the local referral protocols and procedures for housing assignments:
- Includes one adult that has been detained or involuntarily committed under chapter 71.05 RCW as now existing, as hereafter amended or as supersede; or
- Identifies as a member of a population that is demographically overrepresented among persons experiencing homelessness in King County.
- The County and partner agencies, in coordination with the local jurisdiction and local service providers, will provide initial targeted street outreach to people living unsheltered in the local community.
- The local jurisdiction will identify key local service providers and City staff that provide homeless outreach services in the local community. These individuals will work with the selected outreach team in providing referrals and creating a list of eligible individuals experiencing homelessness locally.
Source: King County Health Through Housing FAQs
For this facility, the City Manager’s Office in conjunction with Human Services staff are developing an Eastside referral network, which will be presented to the City Council for discussion. Once City Council approves the Eastside referral network, City staff will work with the County to implement the local referral process prior to housing residents at the Kirkland facility.
3. What are the targets for Kirkland/eastside homeless population in the facility?
The [DE1] City’s proposed agreement with the County requires the following of the facility operator (referred to as the “Contractor” in the operator services agreement):
4. Background checks –
Section 3 of the current proposed PSHA requires that the County engage in a thorough suitability screening process, which among other things involves a review of a prospective resident’s history of involvement with behavioral health systems and other programs. Section 3 also requires that the County and the operator maintain strict compliance with existing state law limitations on registered sex offenders living within 880 feet of public and private schools. Section 3 ensures this requirement is met by requiring that anyone prohibited from living within a community protection zone be excluded from the facility. In addition, the proposed PSHA requires that more rigorous background screening be implemented for those prospective residents who appear on the sex offender registry but are not ineligible to reside at the facility or whose conduct or history clearly demonstrate violent behavior. The entire proposed background screening process can be found in Section 3 of the PSHA, linked here.
5. PHSA, Section 2(e) requires anyone prohibited by state law from living within a community protection zone be excluded from the facility – please define who would be excluded/who would not be excluded.
A “community protection zone,” as defined in RCW 9.94A.030(6), is the area within eight hundred eighty feet of the facilities and grounds of a public or private school. For an overview of the state’s community protection zone law and how it pertains to this facility, please see the information on the presentation linked here: https://kirkland.granicus.com/player/clip/4704?meta_id=198592.
State law, in RCW 9.94A.507, requires that for an offender convicted and sentenced for one of the offenses listed below, where the victim of the offense was under 18 years of age at the time of the offense, a court must prohibit the offender from residing in a community protection zone as a mandatory condition of any period of community custody. Community custody is a form of probation where the offender is released from incarceration but is monitored by the Washington State Department of Corrections. The length of community custody is dependent upon the crime of conviction and the length of sentence imposed by a court at the time of sentencing.
The prohibited offenses are:
- Rape in the first or second degree;
- Rape of a child in the first or second degree;
- Child molestation in the first degree;
- Indecent liberties by forcible compulsion;
- Murder in the first or second degree with a finding of sexual motivation;
- Homicide by abuse with a finding of sexual motivation;
- Kidnapping in the first or second degree, with a finding of sexual motivation;
- Assault in the first or second degree, with a finding of sexual motivation;
- Assault of a child in the first or second degree, with a finding of sexual motivation;
- Burglary in the first degree with a finding of sexual motivation; or
- An attempt to commit any of the above crimes.
The current proposed PSHA requires strict compliance with these existing state law residency restrictions on sex offenders. It balances community safety with state law limitations on local governments’ ability to impose additional residency restrictions on sex offenders. State law preempts counties and cities from adopting rules, regulations, codes, statutes, or ordinances pertaining to residency restrictions for persons convicted of any sex offense. See RCW 9.94A.8445(a).
6. Please discuss if race, sex, or age will be used to screening possible residents
A description of how race, sex, or age will be used in the County’s CEA screening process is included as part of the November 15, 2022 presentation linked in question 1 above.
7. What would be the basis and the process for possible eviction of residents?
Section II(E)(17) of the current proposed services agreement outlines the Good Neighbor Commitment, which discusses the code of conduct the operator will require residents to agree upon at the time of entry. The code of conduct will cover expectations for things such as rent responsibility, visitors, and interpersonal behavior in the facility and in the immediate and surrounding community. Residents are required to comply with the terms of the agreement or risk eviction.
The rules will be balanced with the recognition that people experiencing chronic homelessness will often require support as they transition into housing and adjust to a living situation with rules. The core principle behind the Housing First philosophy is that stable housing creates the foundation that makes it possible to address other needs. Failure to abide by the code of conduct and the rules governing the housing can mean a resident can lose their apartment. Transition services will be provided to any tenant needing a different housing or shelter option. The operator will work with the County to identify whether there is an appropriate alternative placement.
8. What are the tenant rules and code of conduct for residents?
The code of conduct is to be developed following selection of the facility operator. The code of conduct is required to be developed in consultation with the operator, service providers, and those who have a lived experience of homelessness. The current proposed services agreement requires City approval of the code of conduct. Please see above regarding the consequences of violation by the resident.
Section II(E)17(a) of the proposed services agreement establishes specifies the following:
a) The Contractor shall have in place a code of conduct or similar type of agreement that is agreed upon by residents at the time of entry. Codes of conduct cover expectations for things such as visitors and interpersonal behavior. This code of conduct shall be developed in consultation with the City of Kirkland, service providers, jurisdictional partners identified by the City and County, community members or adjacent neighbors identified by the City and County, and those who have a lived experience of homelessness. The code of conduct and any future amendments must receive approval from the City of Kirkland through the City Manager.
i. The code of conduct shall describe occupant expectations and consequences for failing to comply, up to and including eviction.
ii. The code of conduct shall at a minimum address the following topics: the use of alcohol and recreational marijuana; smoking indoors and in public places; the use and sale of illegal drugs; threatening or unsafe behavior; and weapon possession.
iii. The code of conduct shall also include the following, or substantially similar, expectations of occupant behavior in the immediate and surrounding community: no harassment, acts of violence, or threats of violence against persons living in, working in, or visiting the area; and no disruptive behavior that presents a significant threat to community safety.
b) The Contractor, in coordination with DCHS, shall craft a good neighbor agreement, committing the Contractor, the County, local jurisdiction, and the local community to a collective agreement that describes how the parties to the agreement will communicate and resolve concerns when they arise. This good neighbor agreement can be combined with the community relations plan in subsection c, if the Contractor and the County determine that is appropriate. The good neighbor agreement and any future amendments must receive approval from the City of Kirkland, through the City Manager.
Facility Operator and Operations
9. How will the operator be selected? What is the city’s role in the process?
The operator will be selected in conjunction with the City in accordance with the County’s Health through Housing Implementation Plan and per the criteria outlined in the Resolution R-5522 and the Conceptual Terms Sheet adopted by Council on March 1, 2022, and the proposed PSHA approved by Council on March 21, 2023.
10. What are staffing program minimums?
All HTH facilities will have 24/7 staffing. The actual staffing plan will be developed by the selected service provider but will include onsite case management and access to health and behavioral health treatment and services. Every site will assess and adjust the staffing plan as needed.
Source: King County Health Through Housing FAQs
11. How will staff be screened?
The programmatic details, including staffing proposals and services and opportunities to be provided, will be evaluated during the operator selection process and will then be developed more fully between the County and the Operator in their services agreement.
12. Will the number of residents be adjusted based on staffing?
The programmatic details, including staffing proposals and services and opportunities to be provided, will be evaluated during the operator selection process and will then be developed more fully between the County and the Operator in their services agreement.
13. What happens if staffing shortages occur?
The programmatic details, including staffing proposals and services and opportunities to be provided, will be evaluated during the operator selection process and will then be developed more fully between the County and the Operator in their services agreement.
14. What types of activities will be available at the facility and how will they be available to tenants?
The programmatic details, including staffing proposals and services and opportunities to be provided, will be evaluated during the operator selection process and will then be developed more fully between the County and the Operator in their services agreement.
15. Are there any limits on visitors/ screening of visitors?
Residents can invite family and friends to visit their home. There will likely be a guest policy in place. Residents cannot invite others to move in. HTH staff will know who lives there and who does not. Only those who have been assessed and approved for residency will be allowed to live there. The City will ensure that a guest policy is included as part of the code of conduct.
Source: King County Health Through Housing FAQs
16. Facility entry security?
All HTH sites will have 24/7 staffing. Permanent supportive housing buildings elsewhere in the county all have staff awake, alert and on duty around-the-clock. Should the need arise to increase or revise the staffing plan for any HTH site, the provider will do so.
Source: King County Health Through Housing FAQs
17. Transportation services for tenants?
The programmatic details, including staffing proposals and services and opportunities to be provided, will be evaluated during the operator selection process and will then be developed more fully between the County and the Operator in their services agreement.
18. Would tents or other non-structures be allowed on the property outside of the building?
Per the PSHA approved by Council on March 21, 2023, under “Use of the Property and Facility Operations,” Section 1(b) states, “The Facility shall not operate as a ‘Safe Parking’ or other program for individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. No camping (including car camping) or any other form of persons sleeping outdoors or in vehicles shall be allows on the Property.”
19. What are the restrictions on people sleeping or staying in a parked vehicle outside of the building?
See the response above under #18.
20. Maintenance and security of outside areas including the parking lot, dumpsters, landscaping, and other external areas
The proposed services agreement between the County and the facility operator requires that the operator “ensure facilities are kept in a safe and sanitary condition, and be in good repair with proper ventilation, lighting, and temperature control. A written maintenance plan must exist.” It further places responsibility on the operator “for maintenance and operations of the facility, including cleaning, ensuring the facility is in good repair and operable, removing graffiti, and any other reasonable operations parameters so the facility is not a safety or community concern.”
The City understands that, with other County facilities, the County also directly provides some level of maintenance and security. The division of responsibilities will be developed more fully between the County and the operator after selection. Regardless of the division of responsibilities between the County and the operator, the City will have the authority to require compliance.
Performance Measures and Community Oversight
21. What performance measures/metrics (on-site and off-site) will be tracked?
Current metrics included in section 4 of the proposed PSHA approved by Council on March 21, 2023, include:
- Data on the number of new tenants, exits, unit nights, and households served during the reporting period, including demographics.
- Number of residents enrolled in permanent supportive housing at the Facility;
- Number/percentage of residents receiving on-site and off-site resident supports, including estimated hours provided to residents by service providers;
- Number/percentage of residents enrolled in Medicaid or another means of health insurance;
- Number/percentage of residents who receive physical or behavioral healthcare supports;
- Number/percentage of households who maintain or increase income through employment or public benefits while residing at the Facility;
- Number/percentage of individuals who maintain or exit to permanent housing from permanent supportive housing;
- Number/percentage of residents with emergency visits and psychiatric hospitalizations;
- Number/percentage of residents with criminal justice system interactions;
- Information on community feedback received by the County or Contractor, including a summary of any action taken as a result, if any.
- Number of emergency responses to the Facility.
- Data on the results of the County’s background screening process.
In addition, the County and the operator will publicly report to the City Manager and City Council within six months of the Facility beginning to accept residents, and at least annually thereafter, unless the City Council approves less frequent reports, regarding operation of the Facility and compliance of the Contractor with the terms of the services agreement.
22. Will there be a community advisory board or similar providing a perspective from the community on what’s working or not working?
The County and its pre-qualified HtH Housing Operators recognize the importance of fostering and maintaining good neighbor relations and community partnership with each of the local communities where HtH buildings are located. The County has developed a Good Neighbor Commitment process by which the County and each awarded operator pledge to be good neighbors and co-develop a roadmap for being responsive to local community concerns/needs and creating ongoing opportunities for dialogue.
Section 17(c) of the services agreement between the County and the future facility operator contains the following requirement regarding a community relations plan:
c. The Contractor, in coordination with the County and the City of Kirkland, in consultation with jurisdictional partners and community members or adjacent neighbors identified by the City and County, shall develop a community relations plan that will contain strategies and policies for community engagement. The community relations plan and any future amendments must receive approval from the City of Kirkland through the City Manager.
i. The community relations plan must address potential impacts on nearby schools, businesses, and/or residences, including identifying process(es) for dispute resolution and proposed resolution and mitigation approach(es).
ii. The community relations plan must address expectations between the Contractor, local community, service providers, and City representatives (e.g., data and performance measures, program descriptions and services offered, opportunities to volunteer and donate).
iii. The community relations plan must identify a “Neighborhood Liaison,” who will be a staff person of the Contractor who has been designated to be a visible and friendly ambassador for the permanent housing facility, to nurture respectful relationships among community members, to attend community events, and to receive and respond to neighbor complaints in a timely manner.
iv. The community relations plan must include a schedule for regular community meetings co-hosted by the Neighborhood Liaison, the City’s liaison, and the County’s liaison. Topics at these meetings may include, but are not limited to, appropriate project updates, review of the Good Neighbor Agreement/Community Relations Plan and the resident code of conduct, update on new residents and their orientation to the neighborhood, discussion of the performance and operation of the Facility, discussion of community feedback and how it is being addressed, identification of any impacts from or concerns about the Facility, and review of opportunities for community involvement and outreach efforts. For the first 24 months of operation of the Facility, meetings shall be scheduled quarterly, and thereafter, at the discretion of the Neighborhood Liaison and the City’s and County’s liaisons, can be reduced to semi-annually, annually, or otherwise.
More generally, the County has established the following guidelines as a starting point for building positive community relations and for developing Good Neighbor Agreements. All operators commit to the following:
- A Resident Code of Conduct agreed upon by residents at the time of entry.
- A Good Neighbor Commitment to provide:
- Neighborhood outreach and notification
- Opportunities for community involvement with the project.
- Building Manager contact information as well as a 24/7 number for immediate issues.
- Patrolling of the immediate perimeter of the property and ensuring the area is maintained; and
- Orientation for new residents on the neighborhood, available programming, community events and local amenities.
Specifically, for Pre-Project Opening Notification and Outreach, printed, electronic and in-person outreach will be completed including:
- Fliers, fact sheets or other mailings delivered directly to residences and businesses within approximately 500 feet radius of the HtH facility, which detail:
- A brief summary of the project
- A contact person and contact information for providing feedback and/or provide a guided tour or site walk, and
- Hosted or co-hosted community meeting to discuss the project and/or provide a guided tour or site walk, and
Digital outreach, including a project website and contact information for providing feedback to the operator
23. Upon move-in, staff review and have residents sign a Resident Code of Conduct. How will they be reported to the public?
Section 4 of the proposed PSHA includes specific reporting requirements, stating:
The County and Contractor will publicly report to the City Manager and City Council within six months of the Facility beginning to accept residents, and at least annually thereafter, unless the City Council approves less frequent reports, regarding operation of the Facility and compliance of the Contractor with the terms of the Services Agreement.
24. What are plans for Kirkland Police involvement/staffing?
Per Section 24(m) of the proposed services agreement between the County and the facility operator, a safety and security plan is required to be developed following facility operator selection. The safety and security plan is required to be developed in consultation with and approved by the Kirkland Police Department. Section 24(m) states:
m. The Contractor will have a safety and security plan to deter theft and harm to clients and staff. A weapons policy designed to ensure the safety and security of all clients, staff, and volunteers must be included in this plan.
i. The safety and security plan shall be developed by the Contractor, in consultation with the City of Kirkland Police Department. The safety and security plan and any future amendments thereto must be approved by the Kirkland Police Department.
ii. That plan shall address illegal, unsafe, or disruptive behavior on the Premises that infringes on the safety of occupants, community members, and employees and a description of the consequences for engaging in disruptive behavior up to and including eviction. Disruptive behavior is that behavior that disrupts or interferes with the rights and comforts of persons living, working or visiting the area.
iii. The plan shall identify behavioral health crisis management protocols. The plan should identify staff trained in de-escalation methods. The plan shall provide protocols for routine and emergency communications with first responders.
iv. The plan shall provide for the coordination of services between the Contractor, the County, and the City of Kirkland public safety staff (e.g., police, fire, community responders), including any private security personnel employed by the Contractor and any surrounding schools or business owners;
v. The plan shall identify a clear process and a City contact for addressing circumstances in which reasonable community concerns are not responded to by the Contractor in a timely fashion.
vi. The plan shall provide contact information for the Contractor and the County to respond 24/7 to City and community concerns.
vii. The plan shall identify performance metrics and a reporting process that will be used to track compliance with the safety and security plan.
25. How will/can the facility program be adjusted if needed?
Section 5(b) of the current proposed PSHA provides:
In addition, the Parties will meet on a regular basis with one another and with the Contractor to discuss, as appropriate, performance and operation of the Facility, compliance with this Agreement, and elements of the Services Agreement, and to work on any unexpected challenges and promptly resolve issues, including challenges regarding program outcomes and the status of any applicable good neighbor agreements. The Parties also will promptly meet on an ad hoc basis at the request of either Party to resolve issues as quickly as possible.
26. Who will provide oversight from the public's perspective?
The facility operator will be directly accountable to the County for the facility and program performance. The County and the City, through the PSHA, will be jointly empowered to oversee the effectiveness of the program. In addition, the operator will make commitments to the local community through the good neighbor agreement, and the public will have the opportunity for input at regular community meetings co-hosted by the operator’s Neighborhood Liaison, the City’s liaison, and the County’s liaison.
27. Does the PSHA dispute resolution process prohibit litigation by the city against the county?
No. Section 11 of the current proposed PSHA includes a detailed dispute resolution process; that process does not prohibit litigation by the City against the County. Instead, it encourages use of the dispute resolution process before initiating litigation. However, a party can seek injunctive relief or other equitable relief before completing the dispute resolution process if it believes in good faith such relief is needed.
Schedule
28. What is the schedule between now and opening with first residents?
It is the City’s understanding that once the Council authorized the City Manager to execute the PSHA, the County intends to file building permits and begin the operator selection process.
Additional Information
The County provided the City with the following case studies and further research regarding the efficacy of permanent supportive housing:
Below is a list of the County’s Health through Housing facilities; additional information and data on each facility is available on the County’s website: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/community-human-services/initiatives/health-through-housing.aspx
- Auburn: Former Clarion Inn
- Federal Way: Former Extended Stay America
- Kirkland: La Quinta Inn
- North Seattle: Former Extended Stay America
- North Seattle: Former Holiday Inn Express
- Pioneer Square: Canton Lofts
- Queen Anne: Inn at Queen Anne
- Redmond: Former Silver Cloud Hotel
- Renton: Extended Stay America Hotel
- Seattle: Argyle
The following contains a list of pre-qualified housing operators and support service partners for East County; these organizations have been pre-qualified by the County and, as a result, will be qualified to submit proposals in response to the County’s operator procurement process.