City and county leaders declare 'state of emergency' to combat regional homelessness, city pledges $5 million
On Nov. 2, Mayor Ed Murray and King County Executive Dow Constantine declared a state of emergency in response to the local homelessness crisis.
The announcement came during a joint press conference. Murray’s “Proclamation of Civil Emergency” pledges to dedicate up to $5.3 million of city funding to address prevention, response, basic needs for and outreach to homeless people. A proposed additional $2 million will come from the King County Council, to be spent on immediate human services. ...