According to Inslee, the state legislature approved an approach to make housing available more quickly in order to get people off of the streets, out of rights of way and into shelters.
The Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition program allows local entities to purchase sites like hotels or apartment buildings and turn them into shelters or housing for homeless people. Inslee said that the state Department of Commerce has already allocated grants for such projects in 12 counties and cities.
In the one year of the program’s existence, 13 facilities have been built, serving more than 650 residents. “These projects provide space for people where they can experience safety and stability, and importantly, access to services,” Inslee said. “I’ve spoken to residents who were able to transition off the street into a tiny house village, and have successfully moved into permanent housing.”
In his address, Inslee also noted the importance of removing encampments across the state that are located dangerously close to highways. He announced that the legislature has earmarked $50 million in 2022 dedicated to moving people living in encampments on rights of way.