(Download the PDF version of this summary)

Concerns that were shared

• Very important to keep listening to the input of lived experience, BPOC community.
• County needs to maintain ownership of the property and lived experience needs to be embedded in the development of the plan and are already late to the table for it.
• “Can you really put a septic system in wetlands and get a good result? It will be a very tough site to utilize septic in this space.” Worried about cost of operation when everything is built.
• uncertainty about the wetlands conditions and the funding needed to accommodate those challenges.
• Operative and service provider costs could be a barrier.
• Concerned about source of operational ongoing funding. Not confident that there will be enough philanthropic support over time.
• Children don’t stay children and can age out, and might not have a place to say when they reach a certain age.
• Three years from now folks will need renewal for permanent supportive housing. Where will that funding come from? Service providers may be put in a position of causing unintended harm not having places for folks to go. Permanent isn’t always permanent.
• We are not copying the Austin model verbatim (private bathrooms, kitchenettes, etc). We should not expect verbatim results.
• Concern about how oversight going to work and how will it scale as the site develops.
• Concerns raised by some Spanaway residents regarding environmental issues and not enough conversation with them before choosing site, no bus service, the local impact of a low barrier site
• “Can’t put all our eggs in a basket that takes 5 years to build”
• Where is all the detailed evaluation data? While the Austin project is exciting, want to see details on effectiveness.
• Issues with frame of homelessness “not a housing” problem but a “lack of community” problem. Much to unpack there and reason for skepticism.