King County gives City of Burien notice that its 1 million grant offer for homeless encampment expires Nov. 27 - The B-Town (Burien) Blog

King County has issued a 30-day notice to the City of Burien regarding its $1 million grant offer for homelessness initiatives, which includes ownership of 35 pallet shelters. The city must identify a suitable location for a homeless encampment by November 27, 2023, or the offer will be withdrawn. This funding originates from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which has specific deadlines for use. The county's initial offer was presented on June 7, 2023, but the Burien City Council has been unable to reach a consensus on accepting it. In the letter, King County expresses appreciation for the city's efforts but stresses the urgency due to the impending expiration of the funds.

City Manager Adolfo Bailon has acknowledged delays in receiving the letter, intending to discuss the matter at the Burien City Council meeting scheduled for November 6. If a suitable site is not found, the county may redirect the funds to address homelessness through a different process, which does not guarantee future funding for Burien. The situation highlights ongoing challenges in local government collaboration to tackle homelessness effectively.