The Health Through Housing (HTH) initiative is King County’s long-term commitment to accelerate our region’s response to chronic homelessness through the use of repurposed hotels and other existing buildings.

Since purchasing HTH’s first building in May 2021, the initiative has obtained 1,366 units and brought eight buildings online—introducing new supportive housing stock faster than any previous County led housing initiative. HTH is also working with city officials and communities to establish the first supportive housing buildings for adults in Auburn, Federal Way, Kirkland, Redmond, and Renton.

Reliable, accessible data is an important part of how we'll end chronic homelessness in King County. Explore the dashboard for an overview of the HTH model, progress made during our 2022 launch year, and future plans. Use the links below to jump to a specific topic.

* Based on internal analysis by King County DCHS.

Sowing the Seeds in 2022

Review HTH’s performance in 2022. Learn more about the initiative’s acquisition activities and timeline as well as financial information on revenue and spending.

Rooted and Rising in 2023

See a map of building locations and learn more about HTH’s Advisory Committee and community partnerships.

Sprouting Change

Explore data to see who HTH serves and how we’re centering racial equity in our approach to addressing chronic homelessness.

Housing is Health

Review HTH’s progress on key performance measures. Learn more about how we’re supporting HTH residents in their health and wellbeing.

Message from Executive Dow Constantine

To Our King County Community,

With the acquisition of the first property in May 2021, Health Through Housing took a significant step forward in the struggle to solve chronic homelessness. This initiative demonstrates our long-term commitment to creating new, regional supportive housing and reducing racial and ethnic disproportionality among people experiencing or at risk of chronic homelessness. In the two years since, the Health Through Housing portfolio has grown to 1,366 units, and 803 people have been served across eight buildings. Agreements in five cities will soon usher in additional supportive housing for adults in Auburn, Federal Way, Kirkland, Redmond, and Renton.

To help track our continued efforts in this initiative and provide an up-to-date look at its process, outcomes, and community-wide impact, we are launching our inaugural Health Through Housing dashboard. You can use this tool to learn more about those locations that are open and the other properties that are at various stages of preparation for operations.

The initiative reached an important milestone last month with the purchase of the 11th building, located in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. These properties cover a wide geographic area, including three in South King County, two on the Eastside, and six in Seattle. We anticipate acquiring one final building to reach our housing goal. We’ve also partnered with the City of Seattle to permanently add four City-owned buildings to the portfolio, adding 350 apartment units where King County will fund all services and ongoing operations.

We appreciate the shared commitment by cities, providers, neighbors, and the community to partner with us and welcome these new housing opportunities for people experiencing chronic homelessness.  By taking unified action across the county, we can turn the tide on this regional crisis.

Sincerely,

Dow Constantine, King County Executive

Message from Department Director Leo Flor