New Horizons seeks $55,000 in predevelopment funding for supportive housing study; commissioners ask city input

New Horizons presented a preliminary feasibility plan to convert the Community Lifeline building on Third Street into 14 studio units of supportive housing and asked the county for $55,000 in predevelopment funding to continue design and due diligence.

The proposal: New Horizons said each studio would include a bathroom and kitchenette and the housing would be paired with a case manager; the organization described the target population as individuals previously homeless or at risk of homelessness. Staff said there are additional funding avenues they intend to pursue and that the $55,000 request is to fund the next feasibility steps.

Commissioner concerns and process: Commissioners raised procedural questions and recommended the city — as land‑use and permitting authority for the property — be engaged before the county commits funds. Staff noted the county’s affordable‑housing sales‑tax account (14‑06 fund) has roughly $500,000 available and recommended routing a county contribution through the Behavioral Health Advisory Board (BHAB) for review because BHAB reviews behavioral-health and housing‑related funding requests. Commissioners said they would like better detail regarding parking, change‑of‑use permitting, long‑term operating costs and other site constraints before committing county funds.

Why it matters: Permanent supportive housing proposals have implications for local homelessness strategies, city land use, funding priorities and facility upgrades (asbestos, building systems and code updates are typical unknowns in older structures).

Ending: Staff will contact the City of Shelton and coordinate with New Horizons; commissioners asked that the proposal be routed to the Behavioral Health Advisory Board and that the county return with additional details and city input before any funding decision.