The opening of a controversial, taxpayer-funded housing facility for homeless people in Seattle has sparked fury among local politicians and residents.
The Downtown Emergency Services Center is a federally-funded initiative that provides housing to people experiencing mental illness, chronic health conditions, and substance use disorders.
It operates over 16 locations in Seattle and housed almost 2,000 individuals in 2024 in exchange for almost $116,000,000 in public grants and contracts, according to its most recent report.
DESC completed construction at its latest location, Clover Place, and unveiled the apartment complex on Wednesday.
But it has previously received criticism for past initiatives, with City Councilmember Linda Akey describing the buildings as 'federally-funded crack houses'.
Despite the backlash, a new location on Aurora Avenue is set to open its doors this month to 95 residents.
The housing facility also provides substance use disorder treatment and case managers to each resident.
Downtown Emergency Services Center is opening a new apartment complex at Clover Place designed to help tackle Seattle's homelessness crisis
City Councilmember Linda Akey described the buildings as 'federally-funded crack houses'
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson attended the facility's grand opening, praising DESC for supporting the city's most vulnerable population.
'DESC, as we know, is a national model for supporting people facing the most complex barriers,' she said, as reported by local ABC affiliate, KOMO News.
'Our shared vision is fewer people living unsheltered, better health outcomes for individuals, and stronger, more stable neighborhoods.'
Neighbors of Clover Place had mixed reactions to the new facility, with Josh Merry telling KOMO that although he is supportive of projects that help the homeless community, he was nervous about potentially negative impacts.
'As somebody who believes we need to solve the problem, I will put my money where my mouth is and see what happens here, but I'm nervous too. I'm worried about it,' Merry explained.
DESC has previously come under fire for its location in Bloomside, facing harsh criticisms from Akey during a city council meeting in November.
She alleged that drugs were dealt in and around the building, residents littered the community with trash, and a female resident even begged her for help getting out of her apartment because she was assaulted and felt unsafe.
After calling DESC's location in Bloomside a 'federally-funded crack house,' Akey continued: 'I understand that that is a volatile statement, but when you came to this city requesting to build and operate this building, you stated that no one in the community would even know it was there.'
Seattle has suffered a homelessness crisis, as initiatives like DESC attempt to help people off the streets and away from encampments
Mayor Katie Wilson praised the initiatives which provides housing to people experiencing mental illness, chronic health conditions, and substance use disorders
The apartment complexes are federally funded and intended for individuals facing homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health issues. An example of one unit is pictured here
She added that police officers and residents told her that drug use was 'rampant' in the building, and one resident said he struggled to maintain his sobriety.
Akey cited assaults, burglary, controlled substance violations, larceny, stolen property, public hazards, vehicle theft, and overdoses at the Bloomside location.
She said that the building was 'among the highest calls' for the fire and police departments in the area.
Akey also alleged that DESC wasn't providing mental health or substance use resources to residents.
Noah Fay, DESC's Senior Director of Housing Programs, disagreed with Akey's characterization of Bloomside.
He said residents have sufficient mental health resources and clarified that drug dealing in the area occurs externally from their program.
Fay added that DESC has a partnership with the local police and has reported alleged drug dealers preying on their clients.
DESC's grand opening of its location at Clover Place was on Wednesday. Volunteers are currently setting up the new apartment complexes for residents to move into this month
DESC's location in Bloomside, seen here, was the subject of a tense discussion at a city council meeting last November. Akey alleged that the building was a haven for drug use, while DESC representatives denied the characterization
The program has also previously responded to claims that Bloomside has had 600 police responses in 2025.
DESC said that the statistic was misleading and counted the program's routine entries of neighborhood activity or potential issues to authorities.
Malone told KOMO News that DESC has increased opioid treatment programs and has helped more clients receive medications.
He reaffirmed that drug dealing wasn't tolerated on their properties and they encourage tenants to be 'good neighbors.'
However, Akey cast doubt on DESC’s mission, telling the outlet: ‘The DESC model, allowing drug dealers and addicts to cohabit and allowing drug use in the building, does not provide a safe environment in and around the building for either the residents or the community. This has not changed.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to Akey, DESC, and the mayor’s office for additional comment.