Rights-of-Way Safety Initiative

During the 2022 legislative session, Gov. Inslee submitted a proposal to the Legislature to deliver housing and services to individuals and families living in certain state-owned rights of way. The Legislature modified this proposal before being passed within the 2022 supplemental operating budget (page 106, Section 132).

Memoranda of Understanding

The Department of Commerce, in collaboration with the Washington State Department of Transportation and Washington State Patrol, through Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with cities, counties, and/or non-profits, has been tasked with establishing the targeted grant program to transition persons residing on state-owned rights of way to safer housing opportunities, with an emphasis on permanent housing solutions.

Under the 2022 supplemental operating budget, Commerce must post these MOUs to our website and provide updated MOUs on a 60-day cycle.

Funding Allocated by County and Fund Source

Note: Snohomish County decided not to submit a proposal, so Commerce reallocated the funds to other counties.

CountyROW ProvisoRapid CapitalHome SecurityTOTAL
King$16,620,344$19,000,000$13,594,206$49,214,550
Spokane$8,607,817$6,500,000$10,322,000$25,429,817
Pierce$9,715,588$19,668,070$5,517,007$34,900,665
Thurston$5,803,333$14,831,930$7,168,070$27,803,333
Snohomish$4,000,000 Reallocated*$1,945,894$5,945,894
Total$44,747,082$60,000,000$38,547,177$143,294,259

Site Activity and Outcomes

The data provided in this chart is based on activity as of March 31, 2023.

*These sites may include funding and housing from other partners due to the right of way being multi-jurisdictional.

SiteCounty# of Residents as of by-name deadlineAccepted HousingTemp / ShelterPermanent Supportive HousingStill in HousingSuccessful Exits
520KingClosed55505TBD
Olive WayKingClosed101010010TBD
DearbornKingClosed645755251TBD
NorthgateKingClosed272421324TBD
EastlakeKingClosed76606TBD
South Park*KingClosed3330201030TBD
Pasadena (I-5/north Ship Canal)KingClosed141414014TBD
CID*KingClosed1671461424146TBD
McDougall Ave.SnohomishClosed11101009TBD
112thSnohomishClosed88808TBD
Smokey Point Rest AreaSnohomishActive1125246652TBD
Silverlake TrailSnohomishClosed272622224TBD
Everette Ave I5 OverpassSnohomishClosed200000
LillyThurstonClosed31100TBD
PacificThurstonActive164401TBD
City CenterThurstonActive361111071
WheelerThurstonActive5419140112
Sleater KinneyThurstonActiveTBD2202TBD
Camp HopeSpokaneActive46715713720133TBD
84th & HosmerPierceClosed784646035TBD
Bay StreetPierceActive411818013TBD
74th & Tacoma Mall BlvdPierceClosed393737037TBD
BridgeportPierceClosed55505TBD
Total231,226688634476233

Contact

Media Relations Manager

Penny Thomas
Email: Press@Commerce.wa.gov