Inslee Proposing $815 Million for Homelessness

Governor Jay Inslee is proposing over $815 million for homeless and housing investments in the upcoming short session of the state legislature.

The governor unveiled his proposal in front of a Habitat for Humanity building in Seattle.

Inslee said that annual state funding for homelessness and affordable housing has gone from $65 million per year to $400 million since he became governor.

"Yes, we did provide $2 billion for housing last budget, but it's not enough." stated Inslee, "We need to step up to the plate. We've added $175 million to the housing trust fund, but it's not enough."

Inslee adds that the state is short hundreds of thousands of housing units.

His proposal includes almost $500 million for permanent housing and shelters, $100 million in utility assistance, $51 million to transition people out of homelessness, and $48 million to expand behavioral health services.

The full proposal can be found here.