Counties unite to sue state over juvenile housing crisis

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed a pressing housing crisis affecting juveniles committed to the state’s care, highlighting significant concerns over the state’s ability to meet its statutory obligations. The meeting centered around a proposed joint litigation against the state of Washington, initiated by the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (WASAC), in response to the state’s failure to accommodate juveniles sentenced to rehabilitation facilities.

The crisis stems from a notification sent by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) on July 5, which indicated that due to a severe shortage of housing options, the state would no longer accept commitments for serious juvenile offenders. This decision has left many juveniles in limbo, unable to be transferred to appropriate facilities, as local detention centers are already over capacity.

Currently, the local facility is housing 240 juveniles, exceeding its capacity of 180 to 185. The meeting underscored the historical context of this issue, noting that the closure of juvenile facilities over the past decade has contributed to the current lack of available beds. Notably, the Maple Lane facility was closed in 2010, and the Nacelle youth camp was shut down in 2022, further exacerbating the situation.

The proposed lawsuit aims to compel the state to fulfill its legal obligations to house these juveniles, with officials expressing frustration over what they perceive as a lack of foresight and planning by state authorities. The motion to authorize the chairman to sign an agreement to join the lawsuit was met with support, reflecting a unified stance among local leaders to address the ongoing crisis and seek accountability from the state.