It's a small but — for five homeless young people a night — significant move: Mayor Ed Murray today is announcing $152,000 for Peace for the Street by Kids from the Streets (PSKS) to expand the shelter from 15 beds to 20. The money comes on the recommendation of Murray's Emergency Task Force on Unsheltered Homelessness.
PSKS operates out of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and is open five nights a week.
Tackling homelessness has proven to be a stubborn problem for Seattle and King County. Despite spending more than $40 million on services over the last 12 months (third most nationally, behind New York and L.A.) the number of unsheltered people jumped by 21 percent in 2014. King County's Count Us In survey showed the number of homeless and unstably housed youth and young adults holding steady at around 800.
PSKS Executive Director Susan Fox calls the shelter a "last resort for many of the youth we serve as many have pet companions, identify as LGBTQ, and are dealing with difficult life circumstances."
