King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) seeks to create a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient region where all individuals and communities are safe, connected, housed, healthy, and empowered to succeed. For newly arrived immigrant, refugee, and asylee neighbors, navigating the complexities of a new place can be daunting—especially when facing systemic barriers and the evolving challenges of federal civil immigration enforcement.
To meet these urgent and shifting needs, King County DCHS is proud to announce the distribution of $2 million in emergency support funds to address emerging needs among immigrant, refugee, and asylee communities in King County.
This funding directly answers the call of King County Executive Girmay Zahilay’s Executive Order, Protecting Immigrants and Refugees in King County that explicitly directs county resources to be prioritized for organizations on the front lines of serving these populations.
“True community safety can only exist when every resident is and feels safe and supported. With this funding, we are helping our neighbors most impacted by federal immigration enforcement actions access housing, critical legal aid, and food assistance,” said Executive Zahilay. “Immigrants and refugees are foundational to who we are as a county, driving our regional economy and enriching our cultural fabric. We remain fiercely committed to defending the rights of all residents and ensuring that county services are accessible to everyone, regardless of immigration status.”
More Investments in Priority Areas
To maximize the impact of this $2 million investment, DCHS is focusing resources in three ways:
- Housing Stabilization: Over $1 million will provide essential rental assistance and housing support through the Keep King County Housed (KKCH) program to ensure individuals and families have a safe place to call home. DCHS will leverage these funds to support immigrant and refugee populations who need them most.
- Legal Aid: Over $700,000 of this investment will deliver critical legal resources to help residents navigate complex immigration pathways. DCHS provider organizations Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, Asian Counseling & Referral Services, and Entre Hermanos, DCHS will expand access to immigration legal services through a range of supports that may include no-cost consultations, legal advice and advocacy, application assistance, community education and information sessions, filing-fee support, and direct representation in eligible immigration matters. Services will vary by provider and are available in accordance with each organization’s contracted scope of work and applicable client eligibility requirements.
- Food Assistance: To ensure food access, over $135,000 will be made available through a partnership with Public Health-Seattle & King County. Funding is intended to support an electronic food benefit pilot program and expand the capacity of Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy food assistance providers, subject to final program design and contracting.
DCHS will continue to work with partners and community groups on new and emerging needs and look for ways to further support the communities we serve. If you have questions, please contact: outreach4access@kingcounty.gov or 206-809-7115.