22-105684-Public Comment Response_Attachment CFebruary 9, 2023
Becky Chapin
Senior Planner
City of Federal Way
33325 8th Avenue South
Federal Way, WA 98003-6325
RE: Permit application 22-105684
Dear Becky Chapin,
Thank you for providing me the public comments regarding our agency’s permit request to
provide enhanced shelter at the Stevenson Hotel. I had a chance to review the concerns raised
through the public comment process.
From my reading, the concerns were:
• Some neighboring businesses report that there are currently people without housing in
the area and that there have been negative interactions with people. These negative
interactions have included people who are asking for money from customers, committing
crimes, and interfering with customers.
• People are concerned that people who access the shelter may engage in criminal
activity in the area.
• The City’s process does not provide an adequate opportunity for community
engagement.
Catholic Community Services owns and operates a family center in Federal Way. During the
first two years of the pandemic, Federal Way service providers, city staff and hospitals
employees had the ability to refer people in our community to an enhanced shelter. Since the
South King County enhanced shelter closed in April of 2021, we have struggled to help people
access shelter. We have seen an uptick in folks in deep poverty who are in Federal Way and
who lack of safe housing options. We are also seeing people experiencing healthcare crisis in
our community.
Catholic Community Services operates nine supportive housing buildings and eight enhanced
shelters throughout King County. These locations offer a safe and secure environment where
people can receive basic necessities such as food, access to hygiene, and connections to
healthcare. Additionally, case managers help people access important services such as job
training, public benefits, education and mental health counseling. Case managers help people
connect with long-term housing solutions, either through assisting with the search for affordable
housing or by providing referrals to government and community-based housing programs. The
goal of our shelters is not only to provide immediate relief to the crisis of homelessness, but also
to help individuals achieve stability and independence through access to vital resources and
services.
RESUBMITTED
Feb 22 2023
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
FEB 9 2023
As part of the permit process, CCS submitted a Project Narrative that detailed the services and
operating plan for the proposed shelter. That narrative addressed our plans for program
management, standards of conduct and safety, and our process for addressing any behavioral
concerns that may arise during program operations. We plan to implement a Services
Agreement that outlines a client’s rights and responsibilities. CCS provides services in
alignment with the national best practice models of trauma-informed care and harm reduction.
I am unable to speak to the concerns raise about the City of Federal Way’s permit process and
opportunity for public input. CCS has tried to follow all of the steps required by the City and we
are open to information about how we can continue to engage neighbors in accordance with the
permit process.
Through our experience, we have seen that there are people in poverty and crisis in Federal
Way. The Stevenson Hotel Shelter will provide a connection to services and a path out of
homelessness. To this end, we believe the goal of our proposed services under this permit
application will address the concerns raised during the public comments process.
Sincerely,
Dan Wise
Deputy Director
Catholic Community Services of King County