Government Overreach
WA State Rep. Strom Peterson (@Strom_Peterson) is attempting to strong-arm local jurisdictions that reject homeless housing projects. The categories include transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, indoor emergency shelters, and indoor emergency housing.
He’s introduced HB 2474, a deeply flawed bill that would give the state power and authority to choke-off tax revenues to cities that don’t play ball. The bill is in response to Kenmore’s recent F-U to Plymouth Housing’s 100 unit apartment complex that would have drawn in chronically homeless drug addicts and mentally ill residents.
So isn’t affordable housing a good thing? Of course it is and more should be built for vulnerable families, seniors, and veterans. But not if it has anything to do with the “low barrier” model that allows a free for all drug culture and requires zero mandates for addiction treatment. In some cases, they even give out free drug supplies like meth pipes and heroine needles in the name of “harm reduction.” In Seattle, most of the “low barrier” DESC and Plymouth buildings are the source of an inordinate amount of 911 calls, drug use, and crime.
Anyway, HB 2474 has been quietly winding it’s way through the legislative session and just made it out of the House. On Tuesday, it will go before a Senate Committee and many communities are anxiously watching how it all shakes out. So far, comments made by some Democratic lawmakers show how clueless they are about the ramifications of this reckless bill. As for Plymouth representative Elizabeth Murphy, her testimony is utterly disingenuous as she conveniently leaves out the part about rampant drug use and illicit activity in many of her buildings.
In closing, the spin and intentional withholding of vital details is how WA’s homeless industrial complex has continued to flourish. By the time average citizens realize what’s really going on with these “low barrier” housing situations, it’s too late and too big to fail. Time for constituents to wake up and engage in this process. At the very least, demand more affordable housing minus the hardcore street drugs or require treatment for addiction and mental illness. Otherwise, you’re just warehousing people without addressing any of the root causes that will inevitably spill out into the community.
HB 2474 has zero bipartisan support. The sponsors include Democratic State Reps Strom Peterson, Emily Alvarado, Mia Gregerson, Liz Berry, Mari Leavitt, Mary Fosse, Nicole Macri, Greg Nance, Frank Chopp, and Jessica Bateman. https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2474&Year=2023&Initiative=false