Kirkland is seeking input from its residents to help shape the city's response to homelessness. According to the city's official news release, more than 300 reports of homelessness have been made over the past five years. Additionally, the Homeless Outreach Coordinator has reached out to 160 individuals who are either homeless or at risk of losing their homes in the past year and a half.
The city has announced two community forums to gather input from residents on the issue. As stated by Kirkland Mayor Kelli Curtis, "Local government is the first place people turn to respond to the growing crisis of homelessness." The mayor highlighted the complexity of homelessness and stressed the need for community collaboration, saying, "Please help us make sure both our current response and any future plans balance the needs of all our residents—including our most vulnerable—to sustain the safe, welcoming, and vibrant community we all love." According to a city news release, the dates to note are February 24 and 26, from 5 – 7 p.m.
The forums will take place at the Lake Washington Institute of Technology Campus in the West Building's Auditorium W-401. Registration is required due to limited seating, and the sessions will be identical, allowing for flexible participation on either of the two dates. City staff will provide an overview of homelessness in Kirkland and the city’s current approaches to addressing the issue. Registration details and the campus map are available on the Lake Washington Institute of Technology’s website.
The forums will center around shared stories, conversations, and perspectives, facilitated through small group discussions. City Councilmembers and staff will engage in these discussions with community members, aiming to gather insights into the homelessness issue. The objective is to update and refine the city's Homelessness Continuum of Care Action Plan based on the feedback from these sessions.
