pile second hand shoes
Pile of second hand shoes on shelf at weekend market.
Photo licensed via Adobe Stock
Fix Homelessness How to rebuild human lives

Fix Homelessness

Is Housing a Human Right?

The U.S. Constitution establishes life, liberty and property as unalienable rights but makes no room for a human right to the provision of housing.

Knife-Wielding Teenagers Chasing Homeless Man in Viral Video Identified by Grandmother

Breaking The foster grandmother of Tyshawn and Marcelles Orr says her boys are the ones seen in a disturbing video released this morning by @SEATTLESUBMISS. It shows Tyshawn (red hoody) chasing a homeless man with a knife. Marcelles (black hoody) is the one with a massive afro. What led up to all this is unclear. NEW: Seattle's Little Saigon neighborhood remains a magnet for violence. Look at this thug pull a knife and chase a homeless dude near 12th Ave and Jackson St. No cops in sight. Would you visit this part of the city? @MayorofSeattle pic.twitter.com/784CxKDTYu— Jonathan Choe (@choeshow) April 14, 2025 Not Our First Run-In with Marcelles Orr If the name Marcelles Orr sounds familiar, that’s because he’s the young man who chased me

Governor Bob Ferguson Answers Questions About Homelessness Response

New I finally had an opportunity to ask Governor Bob Ferguson about Washington’s homeless crisis and the possibility of more federal funding cuts impacting the state’s response. Ferguson didn’t say policies like “Housing First” would be shelved. But he did double down the need for more fiscal responsibility and emphasized the importance of shoring up a “rainy day” fund.

Oakland Residents Demand Accountability and Change

We are on the ground in Oakland, CA and some neighborhoods are an absolute disaster. A sense of lawlessness overwhelms the streets. But Seneca Scott is leading a movement that could help bring in a new mayor and turn around this failing city. Imagine dealing with the worst homeless crisis in the Bay area, crime spiraling out of control, and a public school system in shambles. This is a daily reality for Oakland, California. Certain neighborhoods are packed with visible poverty and overrun by a culture of lawlessness. Gun violence and robberies recently forced the beloved In-N-Out Burger to close its only restaurant in Oakland. The Defund the Police Movement fueled by far-left activists has led to a shortage of officers. And making matters worse, this city’s

Lexus Driver Shoots BB Gun at Ballard Homeless Encampment

Violence at Encampment Vigilante justice continues in Seattle after the city fails to remove a problematic homeless encampment in Ballard. Sunday afternoon, witnesses say a man driving a silver Lexus pointed a gun out his window and unloaded several shots at drug addicts camping on the Leary Triangle. But cops say it was actually a BB gun and the shooter got away. The entire area remains overrun by RV’s and tents. These are the same people who reject shelter and services. Mayor Bruce Harrell and councilmember Dan Strauss must stay on top of the sweeps. #BREAKING: Happening right now, D5 Seattle City Council candidate Tye Reed along with Stop the Sweeps Seattle are moving homeless people to the Leary Triangle in Ballard, completely undercutting Mayor Bruce

Police Respond to “Drug Deal Gone Bad” In Front of Homeless Non-Profit

Breaking Friday afternoon, massive police response to what law enforcement sources call a “drug deal gone bad” in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood. Witnesses say the man in dreadlocks stabbed a woman in the temple over a hit of crack at the corner of 3rd Ave and Blanchard St. Victim was transported to the hospital. Suspect was apprehended at the scene and put into an ambulance. Another witness said, “cops barbecued and bean bagged his a**.” This is the latest troubling incident to happen right in front of the problematic REACH homeless non-profit headquarters. This area is one of the worst crime hot spots in the city due to the clientele REACH attracts and enables.

Drug and Mental Health Crisis Out of Control Outside Seattle McDonald’s

McStabby’s If you want to see Seattle’s failure to handle the drug and mental health crisis, just go to 3rd Ave & Pine St in downtown. Within five minutes, I saw dozens of people smoking fentanyl, a woman yelling at random people, and a dude trying to sell stolen skin care products. And yes, McDonald’s is indeed nicknamed “McStabby’s” due to the inordinate amount of crime at this corner. The fast food giant only allows walk-up service. The current plan is not working.

More Reports

Restorations Podcast

Addiction Treatment Should Look Like This

7
Art Dahlen
December 5, 2024
In this episode of Restorations, Caitlyn McKenney is joined by the founder of Battlefield Addiction Art Dahlen. As a former addict, Art shares personal insights on addiction treatment, the policy environment in Seattle, and the power of language.

Our Mission

Discovery Institute’s Fix Homelessness initiative offers innovative research and compassionate solutions to the growing crisis of homelessness, addiction, and mental illness facing many American cities. Our mission is to serve as a resource for policy leaders, business owners, and neighborhood organizations trying to meaningfully reduce homelessness and to help those suffering realize their full human potential.

[not] anything helps

Discovery Institute’s Fix Homelessness Initiative pairs journalism with research on homelessness, addiction, and mental illness. Our mission is to help city leaders, service organizations, and business owners meaningfully reduce homelessness and improve lives. 

Resources

National Report

“Housing First” — and often only — has demonstrably failed. Congress and the Executive Branch must shift the focus onto untreated mental illness and substance abuse to reduce homelessness, drug overdoses, jail overcrowding, and misuse of emergency rooms. Herein we make policy recommendations to Congress to truly help rebuild human lives.

Legal Guide

We have created a legal guide for cities to maintain compliance with the Martin v Boise decision. The guide outlines best practices for compliance and provides models for successful ordinances that balance enforcement, housing, and legal requirements. The guide is written by Joseph Tartakovsky, attorney for the City of Boise in the Martin v Boise case.

Case Studies

We have created case studies of cities that have delivered cost-effective and rapid results on homelessness. We’ll show you how San Diego built an emergency shelter and moved 700 people off the streets, how Burien eliminated camping in public parks, and how Modesto reduced quality-of-life crimes associated with homelessness by 83 percent — all within 60 days. 

Download the Resources