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 October 31, 2023.
*Updates below does not include Spokane.
*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 WayKingClosed1010100107
DearbornKingClosed64575524324
NorthgateKingClosed2724213195
EastlakeKingClosed766053
South Park*KingClosed333020102615
Pasadena (I-5/north Ship Canal)KingClosed1414140123
CID*KingClosed167146142411985
Myers WayKingClosed3630282294
McDougall Ave.SnohomishClosed131331010TBD
112thSnohomishClosed99647TBD
Smokey Point Rest AreaSnohomishActive1396060049TBD
Silverlake TrailSnohomishClosed2626171016TBD
Everette Ave I5 OverpassSnohomishClosed22200TBD
19th Ave WincoSnohomishClosed65325TBD
I5 S & Sr 104SnohomishClosed11001TBD
164th S On ramp I5SnohomishClosed52022TBD
Swamp CreekSnohomishActive312318623TBD
LillyThurstonClosed31100TBD
PacificThurstonClosed166603TBD
City CenterThurstonClosed3630300251
WheelerThurstonClosed5447470392
Sleater KinneyThurstonClosed1521301300128TBD
NickersonThurstonActiveTBD2202TBD
Camp HopeSpokaneClosed46718415727154TBD
84th & HosmerPierceClosed784646015TBD
Bay StreetPierceClosed46353239TBD
74th & Tacoma Mall BlvdPierceClosed393737022TBD
BridgeportPierceClosed55504TBD
SR7 & 38thPierceClosed211818011TBD
Off-Site (Hwy-16 Park & Ride)PierceClosed22202TBD
SR-512 E & Pac AvePierceClosed422828121TBD
Total311,5561,03495186816149

Contact

Media Relations Manager

Penny Thomas
Email: Press@Commerce.wa.gov