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In a stunning reversal, Seattle says it will not renew the lease of DESC’s Navigation Center in Little Saigon. Neighbors have blamed this low barrier homeless shelter for open air drug use, crime, and 911 calls spiking in the area. Massive win for this community.
The Navigation Center is a magnet for crime. Last October, a man unloaded at least 30 rounds and several bullets hit a homeless man nearby. A simple Google search will show dozens of problems associated with this homeless shelter and other DESC facilities.
Police say the Navigation Center fuels the black market of stolen goods and drug trade in Little Saigon. It’s turned into a revolving door for homeless people from across the city. But criminals also take advantage of this fluid situation by blending in.
City leaders say the Navigation Center will close by the end of January 2025. I caught up with Mayor Bruce Harrell last month and he hinted at major changes coming to Chinatown-ID. His Downtown Activation plan taking shape in the CID. Huge win for Mayor.
This failed social experiment started in 2017. City leaders were warned about this low barrier model and it’s impact on neighborhoods. Giving out free meth pipes and needles to homeless drug addicts without requirements to get better is always a bad idea.
Back in 2022, Asian American families and biz owners in the CID went to war with Dow Constantine and defeated his homeless MEGAPLEX. The nearby Navigation Center was cited as one of the reasons why this community was so concerned about another shelter.