Jason Johnson, the interim head of Seattle's Department of Human Services, said plans for the site have been halted over legal action and money concerns.

The facility would provide a clean place for people to use drugs as well as other medical and counseling services, such as medication to treat addiction, case management, and referrals to housing.

A memo from Johnson said his department is worried about being the target of federal legal action after a U.S. Attorney sued a Philadelphia nonprofit last month over its plans to open a similar facility.

"The City of Seattle is closely watching the progress of this lawsuit, and working with our City Attorney’s Office to consider all of our legal options," the memo reads.

Johnson's memo also worried over money. The full cost of a supervised drug use site, called a Community Health Engagement Location, would be approximately $2.5 million a year, according to the memo, but the city and county have yet to dedicate enough funds.

The city set aside $1.4 million in one-time funding last year to open and run the facility, and the county has allocated half a million dollars to buy a mobile van where it would be located.