Take the Wildfire Protection Survey

Crossposted from Unincorporated Area Community News Did you know that May is Wildfire Awareness Month? A wildfire in unincorporated King County could have major impacts. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to prepare for and prevent fires, including reducing flammable material on and around your home, making an emergency plan, following local burn bans and regulations, and signing up for ALERT King County, a regional public information and notification service. Another important thing you can do is take five minutes to complete King County’s 2025 Wildfire Protection Survey, which is… Read More

Smoother rides are ahead as county rolls into its 2025 road resurfacing program

Crossposted from Unincorporated Area Community News When the days warm up and rains retreat, the King County Road Services Division starts working on roads that have grown bumpy and sprouted potholes. In addition to making your drive more pleasant, resurfacing extends the road’s life and reduces maintenance costs. The work kicks off in May and continues through the fall, with schedules carefully planned to minimize disruptions and get the most work done before cool, wet weather returns. Check MyCommute for updates on specific project dates and locations. To learn more and see… Read More

New Community Service Area Civic Connectors group holds inaugural meeting

Crossposted from Unincorporated Area Community News Strong communities rely on engaged people and government working together. That’s why King County’s Department of Local Services is trying out a new Community Service Area Civic Connectors program. Local Services brought together more than 30 people from across unincorporated King County on March 29 for the group’s first meeting at Renton Technical College. The group’s goals are to help members understand how King County government operates, to help make connections and build relationships, and to allow county staff members to engage and collaborate with members… Read More

Executive Braddock proclaims May as Mental Health Month

May is recognized nationally as Mental Health Awareness Month, providing an opportunity to raise awareness, combat stigma, and promote mental health resources. “During this month, we encourage King County employees to educate themselves about mental health conditions and treatment option; challenge stigma by speaking respectfully and inclusively about mental health, seek help if they are struggling with their mental health and encourage others to do the same, and create safe, supportive environments for open conversations about mental health,” said Executive Braddock. ” Read the full proclamation here.

King County Metro’s AANHP video nominated for Emmy

Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Metro was honored with a Northwest Regional Emmy Awards nomination for a video celebrating American Asian Native Hawaiian Pasifika (AANHP) culture. The 10-minute video, created entirely in-house by the transit agency, features Metro employees and artists Vance Sakado, Linh Hoàng, Keiko Budech, and Wan-Lin Tsou. “Our four Metro colleagues created powerful art pieces as part of the AANHP Visibility Project,” said Metro Multimedia Producer Thomas Hawthorne, who directed the Emmy-nominated video. “While their art was selected to be placed in the community—as a bus exterior, at Metro worksites and on downtown bus… Read More

King County making progress on creating over 800 new affordable homes

Since the start of this year, five affordable housing projects have broken ground or opened their doors with funding from King County. The developments will create 841 units of new affordable housing for seniors, veterans, and people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.  “King County is focused on building as many affordable homes as we can to drive down costs and make sure everyone — no matter their income or zip code — has a place to call home,” said Executive Shannon Braddock. “As a region, we remain committed to… Read More

Join King County in recognizing Mental Health Month

Each May, King County joins people across the country to recognize Mental Health Month. This year, with so much change and uncertainty in the world, many of us are feeling high levels of stress. Mental Health Month reminds us to pause, acknowledge the stress we are experiencing, and explore resources that can help us support our well-being.  Right now, you may be carrying more than usual. Whether it’s the fear of the unknown, changes at work or home, or the weight of trying to hold everything together—I want you to know that… Read More

A New Chapter in Recovery: King County Secures a Permanent Site for the SODO Sobering Center 

Crossposted from Cultivating Connections King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is taking a major step forward in our commitment to behavioral health and crisis response by securing a permanent location for a new sobering center in Seattle’s SODO neighborhood. Part of DCHS’ crisis services available to King County residents, this new center will provide a safe space for people to sleep off the effects of acute alcohol or drug intoxication or opiate overdose and is the result of years of planning and a concerted effort to engage the neighborhood community. Expected to… Read More

Pinwheels of Hope: Advocating for Children in King County

In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Dependency CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) proudly completed pinwheel installations at both the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center (CCFJC) and the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC). Each pinwheel represents a child in King County currently in need of a CASA, serving as a powerful visual reminder of the impact our advocacy can have. The CASA signage, complete with a QR code, invites anyone interested to learn more about the program to get involved. With 380 children in active dependency cases needing CASA volunteers,… Read More

How King County is making affordable housing more resilient and sustainable in the face of climate change

Crossposted from Cultivating Connections Across Washington and here in King County, we’re seeing the devastating impacts of a changing climate on our communities, from wildfires to heat waves, ice storms, and polluted air. In response, we’re helping communities become more resilient by supporting affordable housing that withstands extreme weather events and environmental challenges. “For us, creating affordable housing for everyone means that we’re not only providing homes to people who have been pushed out. We’re also mending the ties within and between communities that were severed by displacement and healing our environment through sustainable design and community… Read More