Sustainable Solutions for Unsheltered Residents
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Yesterday in the Human Services and Public Health Committee, Council discussed the “Sustainable Solutions for Unsheltered Residents” ordinance, and I’m writing to give an update on the Council deliberations so far. Many of the comments I’ve been hearing in the last few weeks continue to be reflected in the conversation in Committee. Some of the major points of discussion include:
- The fact that we continue to have people sleeping outdoors is not acceptable. There was widespread consensus that the legislation is not meant to be permanent, but rather reinforce the idea that homelessness should be temporary. While we are working on more stable shelter and housing solutions, we need to figure out how to respond to the population that is sleeping outdoors with nowhere else to go. That’s why I support a sunset clause to the legislation, meaning it will no longer be in effect after a certain period of time.
- The City can do a better job of transitioning people into permanent housing. The Mayor’s office has recently come out with proposal to create systemic change in the way we respond to homelessness, called Pathways Home. As we explore this further, I look forward to continuing to work with our Human Service Department and service providers to meet the challenges of housing our unsheltered residents. But even the proposed strategies, in the best case scenario, will take 2 years to fully implement. The question remains of what to do in the meantime.
- While sleeping outdoors is not inherently safe, there are some spaces that pose grave, immediate threats to safety, or places with hazardous conditions, that are not suitable for any period of time. The Committee spent a considerable amount of time defining a categorically “unsuitable” or unsafe location, and it seems like there is agreement that sidewalks, schools, areas near high volumes of traffic, and active spaces in parks, are not suitable. There was also agreement that we need to create the opportunity for community to weigh in on what is unsuitable or unsafe in their specific neighborhoods. And conversely, we need input on where there are suitable spaces for unsheltered residents while we work to transition people into appropriate shelters or housing.
- Criminal law will continue to be enforced. Nothing in the ordinance prevents the Seattle Police Department from removing or arresting people who they believe are involved in criminal activity.
Thanks to all who have been engaged in trying to help address the ongoing crisis on homelessness. The next Council Committee discussion will be Wednesday, September 28th, at 2pm in City Hall. Please feel free to reach out to my office via email at mike.obrien@seattle.gov, or phone at 206-684-8800 with questions or concerns.
In Community,
Mike
Posted: September 23rd, 2016 under Human Services and Health
Comment from Eric R
Time October 7, 2016 at 11:51 am
This has to be one of the most tone-deaf propositions I’ve ever seen. I live in lower Ballard and am worried about walking the streets at night. I don’t care what your far-left echo chamber of focus groups, donor dinners, and city politics is telling you- this will absolutely enrage the silent majority in your district. MOST of us pay ridiculous rent or property taxes to keep a legitimate roof over our heads. We get it, Seattle’s expensive, and we have sympathy for those who have fallen on hard times, but this is ridiculous. Even those of us who, like myself, consider ourselves largely progressive realize this is a huge mistake. Whatever boundaries you “say” will be in place to keep this from getting out of hand will quickly prove ineffective and toothless. SPD is already ignoring the illegal encampments, aggressive behavior, drug use/abuse, and property crimes erupting from this situation. You think they’re going to care AT ALL once their hands are even more tied? You think the people causing problems are going to play nice when they’re even more emboldened and entitled? Insane.
I’m not a policy expert, just a voter and taxpayer, like most of your constituents. I’m telling you the optics of this are god-awful. No amount of advertising or liberal buzzwords will wash the stain off come voting time. I don’t have a silver bullet solution, but I would much rather see SPD freed to enforce existing LAW and existing service organizations get the police presence and support they need to help those who want it. Then let SPD deal with the criminals, not hapless unarmed parks employees and regular citizens.