Kirkland Opens Supportive Housing Facility Amidst Community Opposition

King County and the City of Kirkland officially opened Sheila Stanton Place, the Eastside’s first permanent supportive housing (PSH) facility for individuals directly exiting homelessness, earlier this year. The facility, located in the former South Kirkland La Quinta Inn, offers 101 units along with integrated medical and behavioral health care, counseling, and meal services.

The project, a key component of King County’s Health Through Housing initiative, has been in development for over four years and faced significant opposition from local residents and business owners. The facility is named in honour of Sheila Stanton, a Kirkland resident and activist known for advocating for marginalized groups, who was tragically killed in 2025.

Community Opposition and Legal Challenges

Concerns were raised by some community members and businesses when King County announced its intention to purchase the vacant La Quinta property in early 2022. A primary point of contention was the site’s proximity to several schools. This led to a lawsuit filed by a group calling itself “Keep Kids Safe Kirkland” later that year, alleging that King County had bypassed proper procedures. However, the lawsuit did not advance, and Kirkland officials ultimately supported the project.

The development of Sheila Stanton Place became a significant issue in Kirkland’s municipal elections last year. To address community concerns, the city and King County reached an agreement outlining a code of conduct, a comprehensive safety and security plan, and a community relations strategy, including a “good neighbor agreement.”

Operational Details and Initial Impact

The facility has been opening in phases. Currently, 40 units are occupied while a plumbing issue discovered earlier this year is being resolved. Initial data from June indicates a low number of emergency service responses to the building since residents began moving in late January. There were only four EMS responses and three Kirkland Police Department responses, with two of the police responses occurring off-site and involving Sheila Stanton Place residents.

Kirkland Mayor Kelli Curtis highlighted the local impact of homelessness during the opening event, stating, “Homelessness is not something that happens in Seattle and Bellevue, or somewhere else. Homelessness happens in Kirkland. When members of our community do not have a place to live, they feel it. Our service providers feel it. Our city teams see it every day.” She emphasized the shared responsibility to provide housing for all income levels.

Health Through Housing Initiative

Sheila Stanton Place is the 15th Health Through Housing facility established by King County. This initiative is funded by a 0.1% sales tax approved by the King County Council in 2020. King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, who took office in November, has committed to creating 500 units of emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, and subsidized affordable housing across the county within his first 500 days.

Zahilay also addressed concerns about potential federal funding cuts to “Housing First” programs, which prioritize shelter provision before addressing addiction and mental health issues. He noted that permanent supportive housing is currently “under attack” from the federal administration, despite data supporting its effectiveness. “Just so you all know, the current federal administration doesn’t like permanent supportive housing, and we’re at the under a constant threat of places like this being defunded,” Zahilay stated.

Partnership and Future Plans

Plymouth Housing, the operator of Sheila Stanton Place, praised the collaboration between Kirkland and King County. CEO Karen Lee expressed gratitude for the partnership, stating, “We know that it’s the first PSH in Kirkland, we know that this is new for the city of Kirkland, and we are here to walk with Kirkland and walk with our neighbors, so that they can become friends with our residents and become friends with us.”

Plymouth Housing is also involved in another permanent supportive housing facility planned for Redmond, which is expected to open next year. This project faced its own challenges, initially proposed in Kenmore before being cancelled due to community opposition, but was later revived by the City of Redmond.

Executive Zahilay concluded by underscoring the importance of such collaborations: “This is such a prime example of collaboration leading to so much positive stuff in our region, people having roofs over their heads, people having the support services that they need to thrive. This is how we will make a dent in our homelessness crisis and make sure that everybody in King County can thrive.”

Key facts
| Detail | Information |
|—|—|
| Facility Name | Sheila Stanton Place |
| Location | Former La Quinta Inn, South Kirkland |
| Unit Count | 101 |
| Operator | Plymouth Housing |
| Funding Source | King County Health Through Housing (0.1% sales tax) |
| Status | Opened in phases |

The opening of Sheila Stanton Place represents a significant step in addressing homelessness on the Eastside, providing much-needed housing and support services. While the development faced local opposition, the collaborative efforts between King County and Kirkland highlight a commitment to finding solutions for vulnerable populations. The facility’s operational data so far suggests a minimal impact on local emergency services.

Source: The Urbanist – King County, Kirkland Celebrate Opening of Contentious Supportive Housing Facility (https://www.theurbanist.org/king-county-kirkland-celebrate-opening-of-contentious-supportive-housing-facility/)

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