Human services

King County has worked hard to maintain a regional human services safety net even through our leanest budget times. In 2005, voters approved a Veteran's and Human Services Levy that my council colleagues and I proposed. This levy established, for the first time, a dedicated revenue source for human services, helping to ensure that other service priorities won't take away funding for those in need.

In recent years, the King County Council set a policy of emphasizing investment in human service programs such as at-risk youth intervention and addiction and mental health treatment as a way to reduce criminal justice and detention costs. This policy change has been successful in stabilizing costs, and people tell us it has helped turn their lives around. In 2007, hoping to build on the success of our prevention programs, the King County Council enacted a nine-year, one-tenth of one cent sales tax to fund programs designed to stabilize people suffering from mental illness and chemical dependency, diverting them from jails and emergency rooms and getting them proper treatment.

We are also committed to the goal of ending homelessness in King County by 2015. In 2005, King County began implementing the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness. The plan emphasizes increased shelter space and integrated services to address causes of homelessness and get people back on their feet sooner.

Council releases dedicated funds to break the cycle of mental illness and chemical dependency

Food Lifeline honors Ending Hunger Award Recipients at annual Bag Hunger Luncheon

Council backs affordable workforce housing in Renton, Kent and Burien

Human services, public health highlight King County's 2008 State Legislative Agenda

Phillips ensures Seattle's human service priorities funded in 2008 King County Budget

Saving lives and improving public safety: Council adopts sales tax funding for mentally ill and drug dependent

Archived Articles:

• Investing in our future: Council adopts public-private plan to improve children's access to health care
• Phillips finds New Homes for "Retired" County Vans
• Community Campaign Launched to Provide Assistance with Tax Returns
• Phillips: Safety, Health and Privacy of Women Protected in 2006 King County Budget
• Lack of Medicaid Resources Put Squeeze on County's Mentally Ill and Uninsured
• Phillips: County Bearing the Burden of National Health Care Crisis
• Phillips Recognized for Commitment to Social and Economic Justice
• Council Adopts Strategies to Implement "Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness"
• Council Places Veterans and Human Services Levy on November Ballot
• Council Approves Employee Donations to Katrina Survivors
• County Council Town Hall to Examine Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness
• Phillips: "Encampment Ordinance Strikes Balance Between Churches and Communities"
• County Council to Hold Town Hall Meeting on Affordable Housing at NewHolly Complex
• Council Approves Employee Donations to Tsunami Victims
• Council receives briefing from homeless commission and takes next step to develop county policies
• Phillips finds New Homes for "Retired" County Vans
• Council Appoints 22 Members to Citizens' Advisory Commission on Homeless Encampments
• County to Require Contractors to Provide Equal Benefits to Domestic Partners
• "Solid-waste budget plan keeps safety net intact"--Seattle Times OpEd by Council Budget Chair Larry Phillips
• Human Services Is Top Concern At Last Public Hearing on 2004 Budget
• Annexation Incentives, Landfill Rent for Human Services Top Council Issues in 2004 Budget
• Council Approves Purchase of Central Area Retirement Center
• Council budget proposal restores some human services,
  trims 2003 jail spending by $6.1 million
• Council Gives Funding Assist to Cultural Education Programs
  Grants Provides Boost to County Schools
• Council Boosts Low-Income Housing Funds in King County