The Community Engagement Center in Kent will receive a $193,673 grant from King County for its homeless programs.
The County Council unanimously approved on Monday a $1 million investment to help suburban areas combat homelessness.
“Homelessness knows no geographic boundaries – and needs regional solutions and resources like the Community Engagement Center in Kent,” said Councilman Dave Upthegrove, chair of the Council’s Budget and Fiscal Management Committee, and who represents parts of Kent. “I’m glad the county was able to partner with the city of Kent to invest in helping this program expand its services.”
The $193,673 grant to the Community Engagement Center will allow the facility, operated by Catholic Community Services, to expand the time the center is open from three hours to five hours a day. The grant will also allow the center to open for three days a week, instead of two and help fund case management services to help people connect with shelter and housing.
“We were delighted when Councilmember Upthegrove visited our Community Engagement Center in Kent,” said Dan Wise, director of Homeless Services at Catholic Community Services of King County. “We are even more delighted for his leadership in helping us expand our homeless services for the most vulnerable in South King County.”
Adopted as part of the 2017-2018 county budget, the grant program that will supply the funding to the center is designed to aid cities outside Seattle in funding new or expanded shelters, services or programs for people experiencing homelessness. Cities receiving grants were required to provide a cash or in-kind contribution.
The center opened in November 2015 at 1229 W. Smith St.
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