King County’s Health Through Housing (HTH) initiative released its 2023 data dashboard which provides information on the HTH model and progress made during the initiative’s second full year of operation. Launched last year, the HTH dashboard was created to provide reliable, consistent, and accessible data and information on the HTH initiative since the purchase of HTH’s first building in May 2021.
By the end of 2023, HTH reached a total of 1,358 units for occupancy across 16 buildings in seven cities and housed 911 people, a net increase of 108 distinct residents since 2022. Of these residents, 85 percent of them across all HTH locations have ties to the communities where their HTH site is located.
“By prioritizing housing for individuals who are already a part of the community, Health Through Housing prevents displacement by providing the support they need to stay in the community they call home,” said Mario Williams-Sweet, Health Through Housing Initiative Manager. “Truly, Health Through Housing residents are our neighbors!”
In 2023, HTH focused on moving residents into units, providing housing for people who would otherwise be at high risk of sleeping outside or in shelters. HTH also expanded mobile behavioral health response teams to serve seven HTH buildings. These teams provide crisis behavioral health services to HTH residents, increasing their ability to remain stably housed.
For buildings acquired by KIng County, HTH also worked through pre-occupancy processes to license, permit, seek changes of use, and initiate major construction work at HTH properties in Federal Way in South King County, Kirkland in the Eastside, and in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. HTH also added or expanded operations-only agreements to serve residents in North Seattle and the City of Burien.
“It takes a strong commitment to get all of our Health Through Housing locations off the ground with doors open, and we commend all our partners – cities, service providers, and operators – for championing permanent supportive housing throughout King County,” said Simon Foster, Director of King County’s Housing and Community Development Division. “We are excited about the work we have done and the work we will continue to do to bring more people inside and provide a permanent place for people to call home.”
2023 Health Through Housing dashboard.