Executive Dow Constantine answers criticism and questions around King County's hotel housing program

King County Executive Dow Constantine sat down with Soundside guest host Jeannie Yandel on Thursday to answer listener questions about King County's new "Health through Housing" purchase, as well as homelessness in the county, rising crime rates, and more.

On Thursday, King County announced it bought Kirkland's La Quinta Inn. The purchase is part of its Health Through Housing program which is converting hotels into supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness. The county has previously purchased nine other properties through the program.

"Most of the hotels we are buying are between 100 and 150 units ... we've purchased about 1,000 units so far," Constantine told Soundside, adding that at least 15% of the units are being reserved for people who are homeless in the immediate area.

RELATED: North Seattle hotel will house people who have been chronically homeless

"Supportive housing" means there will be clinical support onsite for the residents. The Kirkland site is expected to be ready for move-ins next year. Constantine notes that these will be considered "new additions to the housing stock."

But local reaction to this purchase has been mixed. Last month, protestors gathered next to the La Quinta in Kirkland. Opponents said they were concerned about a potential rise in crime and illegal drug activity around the housing site. They also object to its proximity to a nearby school.

Constantine said that hotel housing will be like the county's other programs, saying "as long as your behavior is not impacting others, residents in the housing complex, or people in the community, we are not going to bust in your room and inspect your private affairs."

He also points to the difference between shelters and permanent supportive housing.

"These are not people coming directly from the streets," he adds. "These are people who have already entered the system, who have been assessed, who are receiving treatment for whatever challenges they may have, and these are people who have been adjudged for a multifamily setting where services can be provided on a long-term basis. That is different than a shelter. That is different than moving someone directly off the street where there is minimal information about their underlying challenges."

Counter protestors say they are excited to see more shelter space in Kirkland.

RELATED: How did one Seattle ‘unhoused to hotels’ program work? The results are mixed

There is a range of other criticisms of the county's program, including the level of community input and the money being spent.

King County Executive Dow Constantine joined Soundside on Thursday, March 3 to answer criticism and questions about the new property, the Health Through Housing program, and how the county is tackling rising rates of homelessness.

Click on the audio above to Hear Soundside's full conversation with Executive Dow Constantine.