Burien Low-Barrier Housing
Summary
Low Barrier Housing strives to reduce homelessness by eliminating as many barriers as possible for entry into a residence or for remaining in a residence. The few requirements are focused on safety and harm reduction.
Requiring abstinence from alcohol or substances, requiring attendance at meetings or meals, having curfews, etc are not part of the programs
Termination is avoided unless absolutely necessary
Efforts are made to move residents into permanent housing as soon as possible
The system is based upon the knowledge that, in most cases, people cannot make effective use of treatment programs or services without having housing.
The Burien City Council recently voted 6-1 to approve a 95-unit permanent supportive housing development into the city’s Affordable Housing Demonstration Program. This development is being built by Downtown Emergency Services Center (DESC), an organization that has been providing services to people living unhoused in King County since 1979.
Importance
Low Barrier Housing saves taxpayers money by reducing arrests, reducing costly jail stays, saving costs associated with time spent by city employees and police officers, reducing impacts to business and communities, and reducing expensive trips to the ER. Low Barrier Housing improves the physical and mental health of residents. The next Burien City Council will play an important role in how Low Barrier Housing and other initiatives to address homelessness are implemented in our community. Learn more about the stances of Council candidates here:
More Details
DESC’s Affordable Housing Demonstration Program in Burien will be their first development outside of Seattle. Following best practices of permanent supportive housing, a form of low barrier housing, the DESC development will have wrap-around support services provided to the residents on site and will serve individuals in the 0-30% Area Median Income (AMI) level. 25 of the units in this building will be set aside for Veterans and at least 30% of the units will go to people living in Burien at the time of completion of the project. Most of the people who qualify for these homes are currently living unhoused and the residents are generally disabled, many dealing with the effects of living unhoused on the streets for years. The residents are accepted “as is”. This housing comes with 24/7 professional staffing and each unit is equipped with safety features.
Prior to being presented to Council, this project was recommended for approval by the city’s planning staff and Planning Commission. There were multiple public meetings and opportunities for community input.
Acronyms
AMI - Area Median Income
DESC - Downtown Emergency Services Center