SDOT Sweeps Ballard RV Encampment, But Struggles with Enforcement
Seattle RV Shuffle Continues I first told you about Ballard’s “Double Decker” RV last year+how neighbors complained about loud noise/music coming from this vehicle. After @SeattleDot enforcement, owner moved on…but just around the corner. City of Blocks Even after @SeattleDot does RV encampment removal, I personally witnessed dozens of RV owners simply move down street. So is this the strategy? Tire everyone out w/sweeps, hoping they don’t return? Until that gets figured out, eco block biz is THRIVING. Business is Booming Concrete “eco-blocks” cost $20-$30 bucks a piece. It’s cheap cause these are considered “scrap.” But here’s the catch, you have to transport these things yourself. Salmon Bay Sand & Gravel ain’t the only game in town. But being in Read More ›
Union Gospel Mission Helps Homeless Community Stay Cool During Seattle’s Heat Wave
Scorching Hot Week Incredible effort RIGHT NOW by Seattle’s homeless outreach community. Especially @SeattlesUGM. This faith based group is mobilizing volunteers and hitting the streets, passing out water and supplies. They’ve got some PRO TIPS if you want to help. Pro Tips If you run into a homeless person on the street during HEAT WAVE, @SeattlesUGM says be ready with following: 1) Bottles of water 2) Gift card to an air-conditioned restaurant Contact UGM if you think someone is ready to get off streets. https://www.ugm.org/contact/ Cooling Centers @KC_RHA also has a solid list of places to refer homeless folks. Working on Story Also dropping next week, RARE look into extremely vital work @SeattlesUGM is doing on Seattle’s streets. They call Read More ›
Seattle’s Homeless Shuffle
A Look at Community First! Village in Austin
Activists Disrupt Seattle Mayor’s Homelessness Strategy
For the past few months, multiple neighbors and business owners like John Hensley, accused “Stop the Sweeps Seattle” of shuttling homeless people to other neighborhoods across Seattle after homeless encampment clean ups. “They appear to think their heart is in the right place, but all they’re doing is moving a problem around,” says Hensley, co-owner of Beehive Mercantile in Ballard. Volunteers with the group call the activity “mutual aid.” The hope to assist homeless people who refuse to take services and shelter from the city. Like clockwork, they showed up to Tuesday morning’s encampment sweep in SODO and packed several vans with items belonging to the homeless on 3rd Avenue South and South Holgate Street. This time, I decided to follow Read More ›
Like a Dystopia, Only California
Updated: Massive SODO RV Encampment to be Cleared Tuesday
Breaking Massive SODO RV encampment along 3rd. Ave S. will be cleared TUESDAY. Dozens of vehicles. Many RV owners here say, “WE ARE NOT HOMELESS” because they live in vehicles and want to be left alone. @MayorofSeattle @KCRHA @CMTammyMorales Tons of Action Parallel streets have all kinds of businesses. Owners complain about drug dealing, violence, theft, fires, human trafficking out of RV’s. But not everyone here is a criminal. I have built numerous friendships over the past few months tracking this situation. It’s Happening I’m working on story at http://fixhomelessness.org, going more in-depth on dynamics within the RV community. Many of them just want to live on the streets and have “the freedom.” This SODO area is also home to Read More ›
Homeless Encampment in Lichton Springs Finally Cleared
Happening Now N.96th St. homeless encampment in Seattle being cleared. But already many positive developments. At least 4 tiny house referrals and several motel vouchers accepted. But some campers are choosing to move to another neighborhood. On going story as clean ups continue. Immediate Action Unclear who did this, but someone already put out these concrete blocks on a spot that used to have several tents here on N.96th St., to prevent others from coming in. Here We Go Again Crews cleared multiple tents on N.96th St. this morning in Seattle. Outreach groups referred homeless into some form of shelter. But moments ago, neighbors confronted camper who returned. This can’t become the norm. Parting Words N.96th St. homeowners complained daily Read More ›