Fix Homelessness How to rebuild human lives

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City of Seattle Prepares to Clear Interurban Trail

Happening Today City crews are preparing to remove INTERURBAN TRAIL homeless encampment. More than 40 tents/structures. Many of these men and women say shelter options being offered by @KCRHA and @MayorofSeattle are not acceptable and will move to another part of city. Brief History of Encampment Handful of tents here since beginning of Covid. But neighbors say more people moved in right after Bitter Lake and Woodland Park sweeps a few months ago. Then even more tents popped up after N. 96th sweep.

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Some Neighbors Say Bucket Toilets Prolong Encampments

King County is accommodating campers. Holly lives in an RV and says for the first time at this location, county crews handed out toilet buckets and mini pop up tents for privacy. But this is not what some neighbors wanted. Read More ›
Interurban Trail

Interurban Trail Encampments to be Cleared August 16

Finally Happening Massive homeless encampment along #Seattle’s Interurban Trail is finally being cleared. It’s going to be a 2 day affair. I’ve been tracking explosive growth here for months. Many people have come here from recent sweeps: Capitol Hill, N.96th St, Woodland Park. Who’s Responsible? I’ve been talking to Seattle city officials since last month about jurisdictional responsibility. Neighbors say they were getting the run around. But with the impending sweep, looks like everyone is now in agreement that it’s time to clear the area. Exclusive Here’s a recent Seattle Police 9-11 dispatch call about Interurban Trail regarding 2 incidents. Even dispatcher WARNS officer about possible dangers at encampment. *I edited for time. Some parts inaudible. Neighbors and HOMELESS at Read More ›

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Watercolor painting of medieval castle at sunrise landscape
Watercolor painting of medieval castle at sunrise landscape

Different Time and Place, Same Dilemmas

In the 33 years since I’ve been on-and-off writing about homelessness issues, many readers have asked the same questions and reported the same challenges to conscience: Should I give to the person at the street corner or the freeway entrance? How can I discern who will use a dollar for food and who will use it for drugs? When I give, am I doing it primarily to feel good or to help a fellow human? Read More ›
Pegasus Coffee

Despite Sweeps, New Tents Continue to Pop Up on 3rd Ave. and Cherry Street

Problem Spot Tents pop up almost daily on 3rd Ave. between Cherry St. and Columbia St. near #Seattle City Hall. Turning into a game of “whack a mole” for @MayorofSeattle. Remaining biz’s in area say they’re getting crushed by this cycle. Drugs Drugs Drugs So many addicts are using these doorways in downtown Seattle to block the wind as they light up to smoke crack/meth/”blues.” Then they pass out right on the spot. On Going I have PERSONALLY witnessed at least 5 sweeps here on 3rd Ave. and Cherry St just in the past few months. I check back several times. @MayorofSeattle staying on this one in downtown core before it gets out of control. But tents keep coming back!

Lichton Springs Community Garden

Neighbors of Licton Springs Create ‘Community Garden’ to Deter Tents

Community Solutions Last month I BROKE story about homeless encampment on N.96th St spiraling out of control in Licton Springs/Greenwood neighborhood in #Seattle. Instead of “eco-blocks” look at community garden NOW WORKING as deterrent against tents! Purely Driven By Neighbors They are now raising money to sustain this project! Many are immigrants from Asia and Africa, sacrificing so much to buy homes in Seattle. They say they are now on THEIR OWN, and will have fight to protect their community. https://www.gofundme.com/f/t9xm26-n96th-street-community-garden-lights-the-way?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer Planting Seeds Neighbors say they will need to raise closer to $5k to sustain this project and will be turning to Deputy Mayor Tiffany Washington to help with this community project. This could turn into a viable solution vs. Read More ›

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Video still from Jonathan Choe, © Discovery Institute

Neighbor Confronts Encampment Shuffler

Stop The Sweeps is a controversial mutual aid group, known for shuttling homeless people to other parts of the city after encampment removals. They've been criticized for disrupting sweeps and undercutting Mayor Bruce Harrell's plan to get people off the streets.   Read More ›
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Homeless Woman with Child in Fremont Canal Park Seeking Help

They Need Help Thursday evening, I encountered a 2-month old baby with parents living in Seattle’s Fremont Canal Park encampment. I know there are multiple sides to story. PLEASE send outreach workers. Guidance From King County Regional Homeless Authority “Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women with children. One thing she could do right now is call the King County Emergency Family Shelter intake line: 206-245-1026, which would connect her with shelter and services.” Seattle Councilmember Trying to Help So far @CMSaraNelson only elected official to respond: “I reached out to Deputy Mayor Washington and others to get the woman in your video and her son some help.” -Sara Nelson, Position 9/Citywide

Community First Village

A Second Look at Community First! Village in Austin

I wrote last week about Community First! Village, located on relatively cheap land just east of Austin and getting national applause as the coolest homelessness project in what some call America’s coolest city. Read More ›
Belmont Avenue

Capitol Hill Sweep Wrapping Up on Belmont Ave

Happening Now Capitol Hill sweep wrapping up on Belmont Ave E. Neighbors complained about EXPLOSIVE growth of this homeless encampment in past few months. Many campers settled here from other recent removals. Where are they headed? Working on that story right now.