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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Plymouth on Stewart kicks off City focus on Housing First model
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
4/7/2006 9:00:00 AM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alex Fryer (206) 684-8358
Julie Moore (206) 684-0604
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Plymouth on Stewart kicks off City focus on Housing First model
Represents City investment of $3.75 million to house chronically homeless
SEATTLE – The Plymouth on Stewart Apartments grand opening event this
afternoon marks Seattle’s commitment to ending homelessness through the
housing first model. The City has invested $3.75 million in Plymouth on Stewart,
which will house up to 87 chronically homeless individuals, and is pledging
$200,000 in service dollars annually beginning this year.
“I am committed to ending homelessness, not just managing it,” said
Mayor Greg Nickels. “Seattle has about 500 to 700 chronic homeless, struggling
with drug, mental or alcohol problems and desperately in need of housing and
services. To end homelessness we have to start here.”
In the State of the City Address last month, the Mayor announced a partnership
with Plymouth Housing Group to kick off the housing first initiative. This
grand opening event celebrates that partnership and the City’s dedication
to ending homelessness.
When: Event runs from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – program begins at 2:30 p.m.
Where: 116 Stewart Street (at Second Avenue) in the retail space on the Northwest
corner
Contact: LeAnne Nelson, 351-2334
In 2005 alone the City of Seattle contributed more than $10 million to help
create about 200 new units of housing for the homeless. Nearly three thousand
affordable housing units managed by the City of Seattle are dedicated to serving
homeless individuals and families.
Planning for Plymouth on Stewart Apartments began about three years ago, with
the City of Seattle as the lead funder. Early this year the Mayor’s Office
and the Seattle Office of Housing worked on the initiative to add service dollars
to the project.
“Combining services with housing reflects a shift from the ‘reactive’ emergency
shelter approach to a ‘proactive’ housing first model,” said
Office of Housing Director Adrienne Quinn. “Homeless families and individuals
are more responsive to interventions and social services after they are safely
in permanent housing.”
The Housing Levy represents a significant portion of the City’s investment
in both affordable housing and housing for the homeless. In a recent review
of Levy performance and impact, results showed the Office of Housing is exceeding
the Levy’s housing goals, while leveraging $4 for every one dollar of
Levy funds.
Get the mayor’s inside view on initiatives to promote transportation,
public safety, economic opportunity and healthy communities by signing up for
The Nickels Newsletter at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm.
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Office of Housing
Office of the Mayor
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