In 2021, King County established the Jobs and Housing Program to combat the region’s homelessness crisis using funds from the American Rescue Plan. The program connects people experiencing homelessness to subsidized employment, housing, and career services to help them permanently exit the homelessness system.

The program is an excellent example of how multiple King County departments and community organizations come together to help some of the most vulnerable individuals and families in the County. It’s designed to provide temporary job opportunities and housing resources with the goal of eventually developing into more permanent employment and stable housing.

“One man living in his car was motivated to find steady employment,” said Sasha Gourevitch, a Program/Project Manager on the project. “He had two children not living with him, one with special needs. He got a temporary position at Parks, as well as housing through the program. His kids were then able to move in with him, and he also got a permanent position at Parks with all the benefits for his family.”

An end-to-end program

Finding stable housing without an income can be nearly impossible of course, and without stable housing it’s difficult to focus on finding a job. The Jobs and Housing program was originally planned to provide 400 jobs for individuals experiencing homelessness, as well as housing support such as rent, moving expenses, furniture, and other household items. By providing stable income and short-term housing program participants are able to rebuild their economic security that enables them to transition to more permanent housing.

The first program jobs made available were in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP), as part of a Parks Beautification program to plant new trees, remove invasives, and maintain trails.  Program positions were eventually made available through several other departments, including the Department of Human Resources, the Department of Elections, and Regional Animal Services (RASKC). All the program positions supplemented existing positions, which allowed the County to complete important work with minimal disruption to existing staff and positions.

“During the development of the program, we knew we couldn’t provide 400 positions through King County,” said County Executive Assistant Steve Stamper, “so we began working with various organizations to help implement the program to as many people as possible.”

Working with the Department of Community and Human Services for housing support, Metro for transportation services, as well as other organizations for clothing, food, and anything that might assist people in doing these jobs, the team put together a cooperative system that has successfully employed 783 people (60 at King County) and moved 341 into permanent housing.

The work for King County was made available by various departments. In Elections, participants were engaged in an effort to update voter signatures and also helped during election days. Animal services had participants work directly with the animals, taking care of them at the shelter and helping customers with pet adoptions. With the Roads division, program participants provided litter abatement services in our unincorporated areas. 

A foundation for long-term success

“The model provides a comprehensive set of services for program participants, including one year of housing support with our Rapid Rehousing partners,” said County Executive Assistant Nancy Yamamoto. “Our goal is that participants gain more economic security as the year goes on that can lead to permanent employment and housing after they leave the program.”

According to Gourevitch, the departments and supervisors that took on participants put their hearts and souls into the program. “They were not all success stories, but participants felt they were really supported.”

Participants supported important work at the County while also being given a foundation in their housing search and career planning.  “The priority was the good work experience for the people,” Yamamoto said, “and the departments also benefitted from the work being done.”