During a recent council meeting, Burien officials discussed the pressing issue of homelessness and introduced a new initiative focused on STEP Housing, which encompasses emergency shelters, transitional housing, emergency housing, and permanent supportive housing. Senior planner Chaney Skadsen presented the framework for STEP Housing, emphasizing its role in providing a continuum of care for individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.

Skadsen highlighted the alarming statistics surrounding homelessness in Burien, noting that approximately 100 individuals are unhoused each night, with over 1,400 students in the local school district qualifying for assistance under the McKinney Vento program. The presentation underscored the broader regional crisis, with King County reporting a 23% increase in homelessness since 2022, driven by rising rents and a critical shortage of affordable housing.

The council was informed that the city must align its development regulations with state requirements outlined in House Bill 1220, which mandates the inclusion of various housing types across all residential zones. This legislative requirement aims to ensure that the city can adequately address the needs of its most vulnerable populations by the end of the year.

Skadsen detailed the four types of STEP Housing: emergency shelters, which may not provide overnight accommodations; emergency housing, which serves families and individuals at imminent risk of homelessness; transitional housing, typically lasting up to two years; and permanent supportive housing, offering long-term stability with lease agreements. Examples of existing facilities in Burien, such as the High Line United Methodist Church and Bloomside, were provided to illustrate the current landscape of STEP Housing.

The council members engaged in discussions about the implications of the proposed regulations, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and transparency in the planning process. They acknowledged the challenges of funding and constructing such housing projects, which often require multiple funding sources and can be time-consuming to develop.

As the city moves forward with this initiative, officials plan to hold a public hearing on October 23 to gather community input before finalizing the regulations by December 9. The council reiterated the need for ongoing dialogue about homelessness and housing solutions, recognizing that while the STEP Housing initiative is a critical step, it is part of a larger conversation about addressing the diverse needs of the community.