On Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, the City of Burien released a statement regarding what it says is false information circulating about an alleged rejection of a $1 million offer from King County to establish a temporary housing site.
City officials stated that the offer presented by King County is “not subject to a vote of acceptance by the Burien City Council, and remains available through the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA).”
“The Burien City Council did not reject the offer presented by King County; the offer is not contingent upon a vote of acceptance by the Burien City Council and remains available through the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA),” the city said on Aug. 1. “The Burien City Council remains committed to exploring fully the issue of temporary housing for the unhoused community and directed the City Manager to investigate potential partnerships and sites in and outside the city of Burien.”
The city also added that – despite a statement last week to the contrary – that it is still considering a facility operated by REBLX, a partner agency of KCRHA. This change is based on new information provided by the KCRHA, the city told The B-Town Blog.
As we previously reported, the city released a statement to The B-Town Blog via email on July 26, 2023 regarding eliminating REBLX (a facility in Renton) from consideration, which is still posted on the city’s Roundup of the Burien City Council’s July 24 meeting:
“Subsequent investigation into the viability of the REBLX facility has eliminated it from consideration.”
The city’s new stance – changed due to new information from the KCRHA – as of Aug. 1 is:
“”City personnel have identified several potential sites, including a facility operated by REBLX, a partner agency of KCRHA. All sites remain under consideration until an exhaustive review has been completed by City personnel and shared with the City Council.”
Here’s text of the city’s full Aug. 1 statement:
“False information is circulating throughout the community that accuses the Burien City Council of rejecting an offer of $1 million from King County for the purpose of establishing a site for temporary housing.
“The Burien City Council did not reject the offer presented by King County; the offer is not contingent upon a vote of acceptance by the Burien City Council and remains available through the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA). The Burien City Council remains committed to exploring fully the issue of temporary housing for the unhoused community and directed the City Manager to investigate potential partnerships and sites in and outside the city of Burien.
“City personnel have identified several potential sites, including a facility operated by REBLX, a partner agency of KCRHA. All sites remain under consideration until an exhaustive review has been completed by City personnel and shared with the City Council.”
