As King County plans for fully reopening later this month, King County Executive Dow Constantine transmitted his eighth COVID emergency supplemental budget this week, appropriating $200 million to continue the county’s pandemic response, support community members with rental assistance, and promote an equitable recovery for everyone in King County.
The $200 million proposal includes around $70 million in remaining American Rescue Plan funding secured by President Biden and Congress. Included in the new appropriations are continued funding for Public Health – Seattle & King County’s pandemic response, as well as maintaining isolation and quarantine facilities and facilities to deintensify homeless shelters through the end of the year.
“We have turned the tide in our fight against the virus, and now we must ensure that every person in King County has the opportunity that reopening and recovery will bring,” said Executive Constantine. “Supporting victims of domestic violence and property crimes, tackling the criminal legal system backlog, increasing access to rental assistance, and investing directly in communities will help everyone in this next phase of recovery.”
Notable investments in the budget include:
$49 million in additional eviction protection funding, adding to the $150 million already appropriated this year.
$26 million to continue Public Health’s COVID-19 pandemic response and vaccination programs
$30 million to address the backlog in the courts, support victims, and maintain critical court services such as family law and eviction cases. It also includes funding for domestic violence protection orders, DUI diversion, and funding for restitution for victims of property crimes.
The proposal also includes investments in community partners to provide civil legal aid, workforce training, and increased community engagement.
The proposed supplemental budget was transmitted to the County Council on June 17, and is the eighth supplemental budget since the beginning of the pandemic.
