King County opens air-quality shelter for vulnerable homeless population

There’s no denying the impact wildfire smoke is having on the air quality in the Puget Sound region.

A blurred skyline, canceled events, and the highlighting of disparities.

“Most of us have the luxury of being able to go inside,” said Anne Martens of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority. “And there are 40,000 people experiencing homelessness in our county right now. And they don’t have the luxury of being able to go inside.”

Martens’ office worked quickly to partner with the Compass Housing Alliance to open a space in downtown Seattle, providing around-the-clock refuge for the county’s homeless population for the weekend or until the air quality improves.

In addition to cleaner air, the shelter is also providing free meals.

It’s the fourth time in the past four weeks that the county has needed to create air-quality shelters for local homeless people.

Martens said while it’s helping some of the community’s most vulnerable, it’s not a long-term solution.

“I grew up in this area, and I don’t remember nearly as many wildfires as we are having these days,” Martens said. “So if this pace keeps accelerating, then we’re going to really need to look at whether this is the best possible answer, or whether — as this kind of air quality deterioration accelerates — what can we do to accelerate the movement to housing and making sure people can get inside and take care of their health?”

Until that happens, Martens’ priority for the weekend is getting help to those who need it most.

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