I chatted almost an hour with Sarah Dickmeyer today in her Together Center office. Sarah is the "Exterrnal Affaires Manager" for Plymouth Housing. They plan to open permanent supportive housing for 100 men and wowen,mostly seniors with disabilities.
I wanted to know why the ground isn't yet broken for construction; late April was the target month. Sarah thinks August is the likely start time. The large AMLI apartment project is still under construction and is interfering. Sarah said the delay had nothing to do with finances, at this time.
Federal money accounts for 25 - 30% of their system-wide funding! The funding goes through the county first (a jursidiction in the hole.) Of course, Trump has cutting federal, homeless funding on his list (along with everything else.) Ms. Lee, the Plymouth CEO, is very concerned and is planning for the worse. Sarah was worried Medicaid is on the chopping block as well. CONNECTIONS Behavioral Health Crisis Center in Kirkland offers hope. Plymouth's dual diagnosis individuals can be treated for free. EvergreenHealth is also close by.
Los Angeles, New York and then Seattle have the highest homelessness in the Nation, according to a study in the Seattle Times. The cities that do the best for homeless focus on shelters. Shelters give immediate care. It can take almost a decade to construct and fully develop a permanent suportive building. In the meantime, individuals die in the streets unsheltered. It's happening in Seattle and with light rail, Kenmore, Redmond and Kirkland will follow.
Call our Senators Patty Murray and Maria Canwell to protest withdrawals of federal funds and Medicaid cuts.
-- Bob Yoder, opinion. 6/11/25
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