EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated with correct information about the source.

The City of Burien and King County continue to be at odds over the handling of a homeless encampment located at the Burien District Court property, and now the city says that the county’s rescinding of $1 million for a Pallet Shelter was “premature.”

The county’s original statement about that offer was sent out on Thursday, June 27, 2024.

“The decision made by the County to rescind its offer was premature as the (Burien) City Council has not concluded its process to amend zoning regulations that address temporary emergency shelters,” City of Burien Communications Specialist Manuel Hernandez told The B-Town Blog on Friday, June 28, 2024.

The reversal comes after Burien City Manager Adolfo Bailon expressed his frustration in a June 27, 2024 email to King County Deputy Executive Director Braddock, highlighting a lack of response from county officials regarding public health concerns and funding for homelessness initiatives.

In his email, Bailon criticized King County for not responding to multiple requests for assistance.

“The City of Burien did not request the placement of portable bathrooms and handwashing stations at the encampment created by King County in Burien but is pleased to learn that steps are being taken to address the public health issue created by King County,” Bailon wrote.

Bailon recounted his efforts to communicate with King County officials, including an email to Anthony Wright, King County Director of Facilities on June 4, seeking information about the county’s plans to address the public health issues at the encampment. Bailon said he received no response.

Additionally, Bailon noted that the city accepted a $1 million offer from King County in 2023 to construct a pallet village, despite estimates indicating the funds would only sustain the project for two to three months. Requests for additional funding went unanswered.

Furthermore, Bailon highlighted Burien’s attempts to join King County’s Health Through Housing program since March 2023 and as recently as May 2024. He expressed disappointment over the lack of an official response from the county. Bailon also refuted claims that Burien did not seek additional funding through a $5 million request for proposals (RFP) by King County earlier this year, stating that Burien was one of two cities that applied, resulting in an additional $1 million to support local organizations.

In her response, Braddock acknowledged the public health concerns and confirmed the installation of portable bathrooms and handwashing stations at the encampment. However, she announced the withdrawal of King County’s $1 million offer and 35 pallet shelters, citing Burien’s failure to confirm a site and utilize the funds over the past year.

“The formal offer has been on the table for over one year and Burien has yet to confirm a site and make use of the funds,” Braddock wrote.

Braddock stated that the funds and resources would be redirected to the King County Regional Homelessness Authority for use in South King County, including Burien.

“King County will now direct the $1 million and pallet shelters to the King County Regional Homelessness Authority to use on outreach and emergency housing for individuals in South King County,” she added.

The disagreement highlights ongoing challenges and frustrations in addressing homelessness in Burien and underscores the complexities of managing regional public health and housing issues.

Text of Email Exchange

Below is full text of the email exchange between Bailon and Braddock:

From: Adolfo Bailon
Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2024 7:59 PM
To: Braddock, Shannon <Shannon.Braddock@kingcounty.gov>
Cc: Kevin Schilling <KevinS@burienwa.gov>; Sarah Moore <SarahM@burienwa.gov>; Mosqueda, Teresa <Teresa.Mosqueda@kingcounty.gov>; Wright, Anthony <Anthony.Wright@kingcounty.gov>; Gill, Karan <Karan.Gill@kingcounty.gov>
Subject: RE: County offer and District Court Encampment

“Deputy Executive Braddock,

“The City of Burien did not request the placement of portable bathrooms and or handwashing stations at the encampment created by King County in Burien, but is pleased to learn that steps are being taken to address the public health issue created by King County.

“On June 4th I wrote an email to Anthony Wright, KC Director of Facilities, to express my concern about the public health issue that exists on King County property and to seek information about King County’s plan to correct the issue. I also asked Mr. Wright to provide more information on King County’s ongoing efforts to restrict use of public bathrooms within King County facilities to homeless people residing within the encampment as the decision was causing challenges within the Burien Community Center. I am sorry to say that I did not receive a response to my inquiry.

“I would also like to share that Burien requested inclusion into King County’s Health Through Housing program on multiple occasions; novel requests to enter the program were made as early as March of 2023 and as recently as May of 2024 at the request of Councilmember Mosqueda. I am sorry to say that Burien continues to wait for an official response from King County.

“I take exception to the inference that the City of Burien did not seek funding through the $5 million RFP released by King County earlier this year. In fact, Burien was only one of two cities that applied for funding, which led to an additional $1 million to support Mary’s Place and Mercy Housing in Burien. I want to reiterate the fact that Burien was only one of two municipalities to apply for funds through this program – a fact that was lauded by Governor Inslee at a meeting held earlier this month that was attended by many elected municipal leaders. An interesting fact to highlight about the meeting: Governor Inslee also rebuked the efforts of King County as it establish a $5 million grant program with such onerous requirements as they prevented cities of limited resources from applying.

“On May 30th I sent to you a message in good faith where I informed King County of new resources becoming available to Burien and offered to establish a new partnership between our respective agencies to support the homeless population living in the encampment on 6th Ave SW. My email highlighted the upcoming presence of a dedicated service provider and dedicated funding in the amount of $200,000 to pay for temporary/emergency shelter. I had hoped that my message to you would lead to a continued partnership, but I never received a response.

“Overall, I am very pleased to learn that King County is finally accepting the responsibility of managing a problem that is regional in nature and disproportionately affects cities with limit resources. The novel decision made by King County to work directly with KCRHA is what should have occurred from the very beginning. Instead, King County attempted to discharge its obligation to a city with limited resources and thereby creating a tremendous amount of turmoil within its population. Thank you for finally recognizing the role of a county government when dealing with an issue that extends well beyond all municipal borders.

“Sincerely,
Adolfo Bailon City Manager

From: Braddock, Shannon <Shannon.Braddock@kingcounty.gov>
Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2024 9:58 AM
To: Adolfo Bailon <AdolfoB@burienwa.gov>
Cc: Kevin Schilling <KevinS@burienwa.gov>; Sarah Moore <SarahM@burienwa.gov>; Mosqueda, Teresa <Teresa.Mosqueda@kingcounty.gov>; Wright, Anthony <Anthony.Wright@kingcounty.gov>; Gill, Karan <Karan.Gill@kingcounty.gov>

Subject: County offer and District Court Encampment

“Hello Adolfo,

“Thank you for your emails regarding the District Court Encampment. Yes, per your request, we will set up some port-a-potties and hand washing stations at the encampment in Burien’s jurisdiction on our District Court property. We anticipate they will be up in the next few days.

“I also write to share that, given the following, we are withdrawing King County’s offer of $1 million and 35 pallet shelters effective immediately:

“The formal offer has been on the table for over one year and Burien has yet confirm a site and make use of the funds. In addition, the Burien City Council appears to be actively working to put in place restrictions that exclude pallet shelters on the site selected by the Burien Council. King County offered $1 million plus an opportunity to apply for a $5 million RFP to support homelessness response. Burien chose not to apply for additional funding that would support operation of the pallet shelters.

“You shared in your email on May 30 that Burien will have dedicated temporary lodging/shelter coming online affiliated with your outreach service RFP response. King County will now direct the $1 million and pallet shelters to the King County Regional Homelessness Authority to use on outreach and emergency housing for individuals in South King County, including addressing the District Court site in Burien as you’ve shared your outreach team will not be able to service that area.

“Please let me know if you have any questions.

“Sincerely,
Shannon

“Shannon Braddock (she/her) Deputy Executive
“Office of Executive Dow Constantine”

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6 replies on “UPDATE: King County’s withdrawal of $1 million shelter offer ‘premature,’ city says”

  1. All this finger-pointing and gaslighting has led to ZERO solutions for the housing crisis.

    1. Tell us why anyone who continually refuses services deserves housing, why should the taxpayers be forced to provide for those who don’t want to participate in society.

  2. Please take your responsibilities seriously and do something productive on this issue. The funding is available, yet Mayor Kevin Schilling and City Manager Adolfo Bailon are stonewalling at every opportunity. We need effective leadership, not this!

    1. But they are, by considering the impacts on public safety, fiscal responsibility and land use regulations and codes. The City has a funded service provider, when the campers refuse services that’s where the law comes into play so they are doing what they were elected to do.

    2. Burien Mayor and City Manager have been stalling and stonewalling at every turn on this matter, and the people who are suffering are our neighbors without resources.
      Mayor Schilling has been hiding behind a smile since he first starting walking door to door in Burien, but I don’t believe anything he promises now that I’ve seen this drama playing out.
      The most objectionable part is that homeless people should be treated like the human beings they are, rather than objects that can be delayed by this interminable finger pointing where nothing is accomplished except further risk to everyone.

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