A vote to renew the Veterans and Human Services Levy will be on the ballot for the King County Primary Election on Aug. 16.

The vote will renew a levy which was approved in 2005. The levy funds employment training, veteran’s treatment for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) mental health services and rental assistance.

It also funds organizations such as the YWCA, which received $2.3 million this year.

The levy contributed $400,000 to Passage Point, which recently opened near Maple Valley. Linda Rasmussen, the YWCA homeless initiatives director, stated that renewing the levy would help fund various services done through Passage Point.

“If it is passed, obviously that’s good news for us,” she said. “If the levy isn’t funded, that’s very concerning.”

Yet, Rasmussen stated she was uncertain of what would occur if the levy did not pass.

“I don’t know how immediate the effect would be,” she said.

She explained mostly likely funds already raised would be used to support them through 2012. From there, however, it is up in the air.

“I don’t think it’s like falling off a cliff on Jan. 1,” she said. “It puts people on notice.”

At the same time, Rasmussen emphasized the benefits it has for Passage Point.

“It’s a low cost way for King County homeowners to keep those services,” she said. “It’s an important source.”

Covington City Council recently passed a resolution supporting the levy.

The levy is expected to generate $16 million a year for the next six years.

It taxes King County homeowners at a rate of five cents for every $1,000 of assessed value.

Ballots for the Aug. 16 election will be mailed in late July and need to be returned by Aug. 16.

The levy has served over 82,000 King County clients from 2006 to 2010. In 2010, 43.1 percent of military veterans who have been served by the funded activities came from South King County.