Sheila Stanton Place, a new permanent supportive housing complex run by Plymouth Housing, has begun taking in residents at a former hotel in Kirkland, and some nearby neighbors say they only learned about it after people had already moved in. Roughly 40 people have moved into the converted hotel so far, with operators expecting to lease up all 102 studio apartments in the coming weeks. Parents and business owners in the area are voicing concerns about safety and communication as the building moves toward full occupancy.
According to KOMO News, the building sits in the former La Quinta Inn on NE Northup Way and already has about 40 residents in place. KOMO reports that resident leases include a code of conduct that prohibits violence, firearms and drug dealing, with violations subject to corrective action up to and including eviction. The outlet also notes that a private celebration is scheduled for July 8, 2026, as the site continues the lease-up process.
Services on site and staffing
Plymouth Housing says Sheila Stanton Place offers on-site case management, health and behavioral health services, substance-use treatment and employment counseling, with staff on duty around the clock. The building is part of King County's Health Through Housing initiative and is named in honor of local community leader Sheila Stanton. Plymouth describes the property as low-barrier, housing-first supportive housing designed to help residents manage complex health and housing challenges over the long term.
County data and outcomes
King County's Health Through Housing data show that 93% of permanent supportive housing residents either remained housed or moved on to other permanent housing in 2025. Both a 2025 dashboard and accompanying data tables from King County also show about an 18% decline in jail bookings in the first year after people enter Health Through Housing programs, and that 77% of residents experienced reductions in criminal-legal involvement. The initiative is funded through a countywide sales tax and has secured more than 1,000 homes across several cities in the region.
Neighbors and business owners push back
Some neighbors told reporters they received little or no notice before residents started moving in and say they are worried about spillover effects on the surrounding streets, which include a school and two childcare centers. Nearby business owner Roger Bowlin told KOMO News he is relocating his staff to Mercer Island because of safety concerns. KOMO also reports that Plymouth has developed a good-neighbor agreement and a safety plan that has been approved by the Kirkland Police Department, and officials say staff will continue outreach and enforcement as the site fills up.
What’s next
Lease-up is expected to continue over the coming weeks, and Plymouth says staff will keep up neighborhood outreach through a designated liaison. The City of Kirkland has highlighted the project as part of its homelessness action work and says the building honors Sheila Stanton's legacy of connecting unhoused residents with services. Officials expect Sheila Stanton Place to reach full occupancy and become part of the county's broader Health Through Housing portfolio in the months ahead.
