BELLINGHAM, Wash. – As Bellingham and other communities grapple with how to address homelessness, a new report in King County is delivering sobering numbers on the cost.

The King County Regional Homelessness Authority estimates it would cost $8 billion dollars just in capital investments to house the homeless in that county alone.

It would also require an additional $3.5 billion in annual operating costs.

The Seattle Times reports that the authority’s CEO says the county could end unsheltered homelessness within five years if its plan is paid for and followed.

By contrast, Governor Jay Inslee has proposed spending just $4 billion on new housing for the homeless statewide.