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Burien Sees Decrease in Homeless Drug Addiction Thanks to Local Outreach Efforts

Major Breakthrough Burien leaders say more homeless drug addicts are getting into detox, treatment, and housing. And the results are visible on the streets. At this week’s council meeting, city leaders credited “Co-Response,” a collaboration between first responders and Human Services. But most of the praise is going to Kristine Moreland and her outreach group The More We Love. Critics questioned the city after Moreland received a contract from Burien to do outreach work. Now it’s looking like a brilliant move. Her team’s rapid response and personal touch to helping the lost are game changers. And other King County cities are noticing the results. The More We Love Councilmember Stephanie Mora made the initial pitch to contract with Moreland’s group. Read More ›

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Seattle Hoses Down Little Saigon Streets

Drive By The current plan to address the mayhem and crime in Seattle’s Little Saigon neighborhood appears to be regular hose downs of the streets. But it’s not a permanent solution. One neighbor sent me video showing the hoard of drug users who come back after sunset. Mayor Bruce Harrell, what’s the plan for the evening hours?

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Inside of a homeless shelter
Licensed via Adobe Stock

Homelessness is Exceptionally Hard to Solve

Sunrise pastor Mark Hilbelink said its navigation center last year helped more than 800 people get off the streets. Michael Busby was typical among those who benefited. He told the press that Sunrise staffers "helped me out a lot. They helped me restore my sanity. They help out with housing, they help out with medication, they keep your meds for you, and they give them out to you every day or every week." Read More ›
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Aerial view of american suburb at summertime.  Establishing shot of american neighborhood. Real estate, residential houses. Drone shot, from above
Licensed via Adobe Stock

Not In My Backyard: When Serving the Homeless Clashes with Neighbors

Five miles southwest of "Church Under the Bridge" is Sunrise Community, a church that's part of everyday trench warfare against homelessness. At 11 am on Wednesday, May 22, 60 people (mostly in T-shirts and worn jeans, and carrying plastic shopping bags) waited patiently in two quiet lines. One line was for lunch: Two volunteers sat at a table handing out cups of cold water and plates of pizza and sandwiches. The other line was for everything else, including picking up ID cards and bus passes. One window was for getting mail — for thousands, it's their only address. Read More ›
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A Heart for Squatters at the Ship Canal Bridge

There's no timeline on when this problematic encampment will be cleared. This weekend, neighbors called homeless outreach group We Heart Seattle to do something about it.  Read More ›
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Video still by Jonathan Choe

One Day of Service and Revitalization

What a day following @MayorofSeattle and volunteers across the city as they cleaned up trash, removed graffiti, and made a massive difference during the inaugural “One Seattle Day of Service.” Read More ›