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Auburn expands one-stop resource center and community court as part of homelessness strategy
Summary
Mayor Nancy Backus said the city purchased a strip mall to expand the Auburn Resource Center, is increasing outreach staff and is housing people through a coordinated community-court and shelter effort; she cited 472 contacts and 205 people housed last year.
Mayor Nancy Backus described expanded human-services operations in Auburn that pair outreach, shelter and court services under one roof.
“Last year, our team contacted 472 people, and we housed 205 people,” Mayor Nancy Backus said, describing the city’s human services and housing work as a one-stop approach to connect people to treatment and stable housing.
The city purchased the strip mall at 2814 Auburn Way North, where the Auburn Resource Center, shelter and community court space will be consolidated. Mayor Backus said construction is underway to open the floor plans and integrate wrap-around services, and that new signage and a rebrand are planned.
Kent Hay, identified in the address as the city’s human services director, and Debbie Christian, who runs the Auburn Food Bank and operates the Ray of Hope Day Center and Sundown Overnight Shelter, appeared in remarks and video describing coordinated services. In the address and accompanying pieces, staff said the consolidated model allows providers to collaborate directly on treatment referrals, housing applications and other client needs.
The mayor highlighted the city’s partnership with the South Correctional Entity (SCORE) and King County District Court to expand community-court in-custody hearings so people can receive treatment and addiction services while incarcerated. Backus said the program and outreach work aim to keep people housed and provide sustained support instead of short-term placements.
The address included a voicemail from Aaron Baker, a resident who said he had nearly two years in recovery and had become a certified peer counselor and volunteer at the resource center. “Giving back to my community has been a pleasure,” Baker said in the message.
Mayor Backus emphasized the city does not claim it can end homelessness but said Auburn’s model focuses on managing the problem through sustained services. The address did not include a full budget for the expanded resource center or a timeline for when the reconfigured facility will open to clients.
