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| Silver Cloud Inn, Redmond, WA. |
On November 23, 2021, Director Carol Helland of Planning and Community Development gave an excellent presentation to Council on the Homeless Hotel "Occupancy Agreement" between Redmond and King County.
The agreement governs five areas to which the Operator (hotel manager) will give input.
- Program rules
- Code of conduct
- Safety and security
- Parking management
- Community relations plan
CM Carson wanted to make sure Case Managers would be present. He wanted background checks. Director Helland said there was something similar to a background check; it sounded more thorough. Carson asked for heightened coordination between Redmond Fire/Police and Bellevue Fire/Police. It's State law that sex offenders, released criminals, evicted are welcome in "low barrier permanent supportive housing."
Director Helland said not all 144 rooms will be used. They need to reserve some rooms for repair and remodeling. Communal kitchenets are planned, though with uncertainty.
CM Kistler brought up the question of car camping. Director Helland noted there will be a second parking lot for safety.
CM Anderson noted a need for Human Services and Planning Commission input. The Planning Commission will present the final ordinance to council.
Don't quote me, but there's apparently a high demand for homeless hotels in Puget Sound and we have to do our share." The sad news is buffers and 5-mile separations between "permanent supportive hotels" won't work owing to Redmond's small geographic size. The Planning Commission's ordinance decision could address this problem.
It's anticipated the Operator will be chosen in February, 2022.
--Bob Yoder, 11/24/2021
Source: Facebook LIVE, 7PM Council Business Meeting
Bob, 5 miles is further than most think. It's about the radius of Bellevue or Redmond. The site for the Bellevue Men's Homeless Shelter (groundbreaking not yet started) is only 4 miles away from the Cloud. Eligible hotels are not exactly placed evenly at those 5 mile intervals and such a limitation would preclude more than one per city - or often, any facility at all.
ReplyDeleteIf we want to make a dent in the homeless population we need more shelters. so something has to bend.
Anonymous, The Director of Planning informed Council 5 miles was too long, since they would like to set up a motel in the Marymoor district and then follow light rail west.
ReplyDeleteVery optimistic of you to assume anything the Planning Commission has to offer would matter. After 7 years on the Commission, and serving as its Chair, my view is that it's just a futile exercise. The Staff and Council decide what's going to happen. Period.
ReplyDeleteFranz Wiechers-Gregory