Council Approves Terms for Support of La Quinta as a County HTH Site

Published on March 03, 2022

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Media Contact:                                                  
David Wolbrecht
Communications Program Manager
dwolbrecht@kirklandwa.gov
425-587-3021

KIRKLAND, Wash. – During their meeting on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, the Kirkland City Council approved Resolution 5522, which sets terms and conditions necessary to maintain City support of La Quinta Inn as a King County Health Through Housing site.  R-5522 was drafted based on community input and requirements by the City Council. 

“Permanent supportive housing is one strategy in a continuum of care for our unsheltered neighbors that will help save and change lives,” said Councilmember Kelli Curtis. “The Council is listening to the feedback from our community, and we are dedicated to a robust process of involvement with all stakeholders to ensure this project is a success.  By adopting this resolution, the Council ensures that the City will be a full partner with King County on addressing community questions about a permanent supportive housing site at the La Quinta Inn.”

R-5522 includes a detailed Conceptual Term Sheet that outlines some of the most important terms and conditions that are necessary to maintain City support for the HTH project.  Those terms and conditions include, but aren’t limited to:

  • City opportunity to review and approve County selection process and criteria for the Facility Operator.
  • City approval of terms and conditions of the Facility Operator agreement, such as resident screening criteria, operating standards, compliance with laws, and standards of care.
  • A safety and security plan to be developed in consultation with and approved by the Kirkland Police Department.
  • A community relations plan to be developed to address potential impacts on nearby schools, businesses, and/or residences including a proposed resolution and mitigation approach.
  • Input on development of a tenant code of conduct in consultation with the Facility Operator, service providers, and those who have a lived experience of homelessness.

R-5522 also requires a vigorous process of community engagement including town hall meetings and other opportunities for community feedback to help inform the agreements between the City, King County, and the future Facility Operator of the permanent supportive housing site at the La Quinta Inn.

The resolution aligns with the City’s support of permanent supportive housing in Kirkland - with the appropriate operating conditions and community engagement - which Mayor Penny Sweet and City Manager Kurt Triplett have said in public statements since January. Permanent supportive housing is part of the City Council’s longstanding commitment to actions to support those experiencing homelessness and is one of the City’s 2021-2022 City Work Program items.

More information is available on the City’s website. Any community members wishing to be involved in this process can also sign up for updates.

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