New data from King County shows putting people in housing without preconditions like drug treatment has had some significant benefits. 

The report comes from the King County Department of Community and Human Services and shows a decrease in jail bookings among those in permanent supportive housing programs between 2021-2025. 

Seattle has been a national leader in using such “Housing First” initiatives.

But funding for those programs is at risk, to the tune of $26 million – that’s after the Trump administration released a new rule earlier this month, requiring providers to move away from Housing First programs in order to qualify for HUD grants next year.

What more does this data analysis show? And what's lost if federal funding goes away?

Guest

Jelani Jackson, acting director for the Housing & Community Development division within the King County Department of Community and Human Services

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

<a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAKING/bulletins/41c4b1c">New data from King County</a> shows putting people in housing without preconditions like drug treatment <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/housing-first-leads-to-fewer-jail-visits-king-county-data-shows/">has had some significant benefits</a>.&nbsp;
The report comes from the King County Department of Community and Human Services and shows a decrease in jail bookings among those in permanent supportive housing programs between 2021-2025.&nbsp;
Seattle has been a national leader in using such &ldquo;<a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/housing-first-seattle-history-homelessness-homeless">Housing First</a>&rdquo; initiatives.
But funding for those programs is at risk, <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/new-hud-rules-put-26m-of-king-countys-homelessness-funding-at-risk/">to the tune of $26 million</a> &ndash; that&rsquo;s after the Trump administration released a new rule earlier this month, requiring providers to move away from Housing First programs in order to qualify for HUD grants next year. What more does this data analysis show? And what's lost if federal funding goes away?
Guest Jelani Jackson, acting director for the Housing &amp; Community Development division within the King County Department of Community and Human Services Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Jail bookings declined by nearly 27 percent for people in the first year after entering housing, according to the latest data from King County.

Unpacking how supportive housing could affect the number of King County jail visits

On Monday, a King County Superior Court judge issued a preliminary injunction against the “prediction market” company Kalshi. 

Judge John McHale found Washington state is likely to succeed in proving Kalshi is actually an online gambling site. Those are illegal here in Washington.

State Attorney General Nick Brown brought the lawsuit against Kalshi in March. 

Guest: 

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown

Relevant Links: 

WA judge halts Kalshi ‘prediction market’ over state gambling laws

AG Brown, coalition temporarily block Warner Bros./Paramount merger as lawsuit proceeds

On Monday, a King County Superior Court judge issued a preliminary injunction against the &ldquo;prediction market&rdquo; company Kalshi.&nbsp;
Judge John McHale found Washington state is likely to succeed in proving Kalshi is actually an online gambling site. Those are illegal here in Washington.
State Attorney General Nick Brown brought the lawsuit against Kalshi in March.&nbsp;
Guest:&nbsp;
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown
Relevant Links:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/business/wa-judge-halts-kalshi-prediction-market-over-state-gambling-laws/">WA judge halts Kalshi &lsquo;prediction market&rsquo; over state gambling laws</a>
<a href="https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-brown-coalition-temporarily-block-warner-brosparamount-merger-lawsuit">AG Brown, coalition temporarily block Warner Bros./Paramount merger as lawsuit proceeds</a>

On Monday, a King County Superior Court judge issued a preliminary injunction against the “prediction market” company Kalshi. 

It’s a war of definitions, and Kalshi just lost a battle

The economics behind the most popular video games are, in a word, staggering. 

Case in point: Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated to be released later this year, and according to IGN, it made $260 MILLION dollars during the first week of pre-orders. Some analysts estimate that the game could rake in about 5 BILLION dollars during its launch week.

But don’t expect to have a hard copy to cherish for your collection – developer Rockstar Games announced last month that GTA 6 will only be available to download.  

Industry giant Sony says it too will soon be ditching discs. The company said earlier this month that it plans to discontinue physical game disc production for new PlayStation games starting in 2028. 

Sony says it’s reflecting a broader shift in consumer preference toward digital downloads.

And this shift has consequences for local small businesses: With no discs to sell and trade, stores, especially ones that sell used games, will reap less revenue.  

Adam David owns Big Red’s Retro Games in Silverdale. He says he’s not surprised by these decisions:

“Your newer, younger consumer doesn’t care about a physical disc. Your next generation of game players, they've grown up on digital, and at the same time they're too young to see the ramifications down the road of having just a digital library and the fact that, you know, it can be taken away from you”

What are the ramifications and ripple effects when an industry changes the way we buy its products?

It’s something Seattle-area journalist Jacob Robbins has been pondering – he wrote about the disappearance of physical media in games for his new Substack newsletter entitled “Side Quests.” 

GUEST: Jacob Robbins

RELATED LINKS: 
It’s Going to Be the Biggest Video Game Launch Ever. These Seattle Game Stores Aren’t Happy.
GTA 6 Predicted to Make Up to $5.2 Billion in Sales by End of Launch Week After Securing an Estimated $260 Million via Preorders
'Commercially It Just Makes Sense' - No GTA 6 Disc Decision Explained

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go todonate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

The economics behind the most popular video games are, in a word, staggering.&nbsp;
Case in point: Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated to be released later this year, and according to IGN, it made $260 MILLION dollars during the first week of pre-orders. Some analysts estimate that the game could rake in about 5 BILLION dollars during its launch week.
But don&rsquo;t expect to have a hard copy to cherish for your collection &ndash; developer Rockstar Games <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/grand-theft-auto-vi-digital-only-no-disc-rip-physical-media-1236629695/">announced last month</a> that GTA 6 will only be available to download. &nbsp;
Industry giant Sony says it too will soon be ditching discs. The company said earlier this month that it plans to discontinue physical game disc production for new PlayStation games starting in 2028.&nbsp;
Sony says it&rsquo;s reflecting a broader shift in consumer preference toward digital downloads.
And this shift has consequences for local small businesses: With no discs to sell and trade, stores, especially ones that sell used games, will reap less revenue. &nbsp;
Adam David owns <a href="https://bigredsretrogames.com/">Big Red&rsquo;s Retro Games</a> in Silverdale. He says he&rsquo;s not surprised by these decisions:
&ldquo;Your newer, younger consumer doesn&rsquo;t care about a physical disc. Your next generation of game players, they've grown up on digital, and at the same time they're too young to see the ramifications down the road of having just a digital library and the fact that, you know, it can be taken away from you&rdquo;
What are the ramifications and ripple effects when an industry changes the way we buy its products?
It&rsquo;s something Seattle-area journalist Jacob Robbins has been pondering &ndash; he wrote about the disappearance of physical media in games for his new Substack newsletter entitled &ldquo;<a href="https://sidequestsbeyond.substack.com/">Side Quests</a>.&rdquo;&nbsp;
GUEST: Jacob Robbins
RELATED LINKS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://sidequestsbeyond.substack.com/p/its-going-to-be-the-biggest-video">It&rsquo;s Going to Be the Biggest Video Game Launch Ever. These Seattle Game Stores Aren&rsquo;t Happy.</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/gta-6-predicted-to-make-up-to-52-billion-in-sales-by-end-of-launch-week-after-securing-an-estimated-260-million-via-preorders">GTA 6 Predicted to Make Up to $5.2 Billion in Sales by End of Launch Week After Securing an Estimated $260 Million via Preorders</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/no-gta-6-disc-decision-will-make-some-gamers-angry-but-analysts-say-commercially-it-just-makes-sense">'Commercially It Just Makes Sense' - No GTA 6 Disc Decision Explained</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a> Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated to be one of the biggest game releases in history, but it won't be sold on a physical disc. What does this shift away from physical media mean for the gamers who only download a game, and the used game stores who rely on trade-ins and the resale market?

Video Games won't be on discs much longer. Do gamers care?

Haven’t heard about Seattle’s comprehensive plan recently? 

Well, the city council is supposed to be working on it, but the process is on hold because of appeals. 
 
Just to catch you up: The comprehensive plan is a set of zoning changes that are supposed to be a blueprint for future growth. It’s required by state law. It usually means allowing more housing density. One thing this iteration of the plan would do is change zoning laws to allow for six story buildings in neighborhood centers across the city. 

The appeals that are currently putting the plan on hold are based on the State Environmental Policy Act or SEPA. 

City Councilmember Eddie Lin, who chairs the Land Use and Sustainability Committee, said that the current phase of the Comprehensive Plan will be delayed into late 2026 or possibly next year. 

He’s proposing a change that’s working its way through city council. It would limit these types of appeals.

Guest: 

Seattle City Councilmember Eddie Lin

Relevant Links:

Seattle Times: This change will let Seattle address climate change, housing shortage 

KOMO: Residents and activists clash over plan to curb SEPA appeals at Seattle hearing

Seattle Times: Seattle’s history shows why zoning appeal process matters 

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Haven&rsquo;t heard about Seattle&rsquo;s comprehensive plan recently?&nbsp;
Well, the city council is supposed to be working on it, but the process is on hold because of appeals.&nbsp; &nbsp; Just to catch you up: The comprehensive plan is a set of zoning changes that are supposed to be a blueprint for future growth. It&rsquo;s required by state law. It usually means allowing more housing density. One thing this iteration of the plan would do is change zoning laws to allow for six story buildings in neighborhood centers across the city.&nbsp;
The appeals that are currently putting the plan on hold are based on the State Environmental Policy Act or SEPA.&nbsp;
City Councilmember Eddie Lin, who chairs the Land Use and Sustainability Committee, said that the current phase of the Comprehensive Plan will be delayed into late 2026 or possibly next year.&nbsp;
He&rsquo;s proposing a change that&rsquo;s working its way through city council. It would limit these types of appeals.
Guest:&nbsp;
Seattle City Councilmember Eddie Lin
Relevant Links:
Seattle Times: <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/this-change-will-let-seattle-address-climate-change-housing-shortage/">This change will let Seattle address climate change, housing shortage&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.theurbanist.org/seattle-poised-to-remove-sepa-review-hurdle-for-most-housing-projects/"></a>
KOMO:<a href="https://komonews.com/news/local/residents-and-activists-clash-over-plan-to-curb-sepa-appeals-at-seattle-hearing-state-environmental-policy-act-city-council-action"> Residents and activists clash over plan to curb SEPA appeals at Seattle hearing</a>
Seattle Times: <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/seattles-history-shows-why-zoning-appeal-process-matters/">Seattle&rsquo;s history shows why zoning appeal process matters&nbsp;</a>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

City Councilmember Eddie Lin said that the current phase of the comprehensive plan will be delayed into late 2026 or possibly next year.  He’s proposing a change to limit SEPA appeals.

Unpacking how supportive housing could affect the number of King County jail visits

In 1 playlist(s)

Soundside

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips