With a continued need for more long term-care facilities in Washington state, Sound is pleased to announce that plans are underway for the construction of a new 16-bed Enhanced Service Facility in Auburn. This facility will provide 24/7 residential treatment for adults who have complex medical and behavioral health needs. It will provide lifesaving services especially for individuals who need to transition out of Western State Hospital.
There are only a few of these facilities in the state of Washington. Gov. Inslee has declared a need for more of these to meet the growing demand for long-term residential care.
Sound was originally granted $2 million toward this project before Covid-19. However, the pandemic delayed the project, which resulted in unanticipated cost overruns for materials and labor. While Sound retained the original $2 million grant, an additional $3 million capital request was awarded to Sound in 2021 after advocacy efforts with the state and Governor’s office. Overall, the project’s cost will be approximately $9 million.
Now that the budget is finalized, the process has begun, from ongoing work with the City of Auburn and our architecture firm, to reviewing bids from construction companies. The plan currently is to break ground in fall 2021, on land owned by Sound east of our Auburn facility. We expect that the 12,000 sq. foot facility to be serving clients by the summer of 2022.
The services at the facility will be provided under a contract with Washington State DSHS/Home & Community Services and is vital component in the care continuum that our community needs – especially to assist in the continued transition of residents from Western State Hospital to an appropriate community setting.
Updates on this project will be found in future editions of SoundWaves.