Paying Rent for Empty Shelters

Seattle extended a $2.7 million lease for hotel rooms to shelter unhoused people, then paused placements for 16 months, leaving dozens of rooms vacant at about $4,200 per empty room per month. Officials cited budget uncertainty, but records show rejection of a cheaper site and personal animus toward a nonprofit leader factored into the decision. The result was fewer people sheltered while taxpayers funded unused capacity amid scarce beds. — It shows how administrative hedging and political grudges can turn homelessness money into idle spend, suggesting performance‑tied contracts, occupancy guarantees, and transparent oversight are as crucial as funding levels.