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Jobs and Housing Program
About the program
The King County Jobs & Housing Program was made possible by the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery (CLFR) funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. These funds allowed the County to address the economic impacts the pandemic had on individuals experiencing homelessness by implementing a strategy to provide individuals with subsidized employment and housing and career support for up to one year.
The Jobs and Housing Program provided temporary jobs, career preparation, and housing and support services. The average pay was between $20-25 per hour, and jobs came with health insurance and other benefits. Jobs were with King County and other local organizations. Most jobs required little to no prior experience.
What was included?
- Temporary jobs lasting up to 1 year
- Paid ORCA transit pass and other transportation assistance as needed for 1 year
- Housing support (rental subsidy, housing case management, etc.) for 1 year
- Career support and coaching services for 1 year
How the program works for individuals
We are no longer taking new enrollments for the Jobs & Housing Program. Those currently in the program receive:
- Positions for 6 months to 1 year at $20 to $25 per hour
- King County benefits (for jobs with County agencies)
- Example of positions in King County include human resources scanning technician, elections voter signature projects, parks beautification projects, animal care technicians
- Ongoing case management to help remove barriers to employment (e.g., childcare, transportation, work attire, cell phone plans, etc.)
- ORCA passes and other transportation support
What kind of housing support is available?
The Jobs and Housing Program supports program participants with housing services. If eligible, participants are connected to a rapid rehousing case manager. Others may work with their program case manager for housing support.
Rapid rehousing is designed to help individuals quickly exit homelessness and return to permanent housing. Rapid rehousing services include help finding housing, rent and move-in assistance, and case management services.
Financial assistance may include (but is not limited to):
- Move-in costs, including deposit and first month’s rent
- Rental assistance, rental application fees
- Payments for background and credit checks
- Previous housing debt and rental arrears if it will help with immediate housing placement
- Utility deposits and arrears needed to secure housing
- Moving costs
Rapid rehousing also includes housing search and support.
What type of career support is available?
- Basic career services: Job readiness workshops, skills assessment, information on labor market, job search, etc.
- Individualized career services: Development of an employment plan, individual career planning, workshops on resumes, LinkedIn, interviewing, etc., referral to education/ training programs.
- Career attainment fund: Support services to cover costs that will remove barriers to employment, e.g., driver’s license, childcare, work related clothes or tools, training related costs, certifications, etc.