homelessness

Volunteers have been working to move people living in tents outside Burien City Hall into shelter. But they tell me that only a few accepted the offer. Most simply moved down the street to a new plot of land. Murphy Shaw and Joseph Riverson are with Hope Christian Community Church, one of several ministries helping these homeless men and women. “We’re gonna be here, we’re gonna keep ministering to them,” Riverson told me. As frustrated neighbors and business owners sharply critiqued city leaders at a council meeting for being unprepared for the growth of this new encampment, Riverson decided to take action. “I’m pitching a tent right here,” said Riverson, who is trying to build trust and relationships in the Read More ›

Now What? Sweeps continue Monday morning in #Seattle. It’s the only way to keep these dangerous encampments from becoming a liability for neighborhoods like Fremont. Once again, We Heart Seattle (@weheartseattle) and Andrea Suarez (@weheartfounder) tackling some of the most difficult cases. But when severe mental illness and drug addiction are in play, even the most well intentioned outreach becomes an exercise in futility. Listen to “Angel’s” story. This is also why “housing first” will not work for people like her. She’s been given pretty much all the options from tiny houses to apartments. She’s burned all bridges. Every lawmaker about to craft homelessness policy must listen to this. What will be done about the most extreme cases? This has Read More ›

Horrifying Discovery For the past few months, I have been following We Heart Seattle (@weheartseattle) founder Andrea Suarez (@weheartfounder) and her volunteers across #Seattle as they clean up this city and try to save homeless men and women living on the streets. But this past week, I was out of pocket when Suarez discovered the decomposing body of a 54 year old man in a tent right next to @TMobilePark as the @Mariners were getting ready for the season opener. Sunday afternoon, I went back to finally see where this all happened. Suarez says this must be a wake up call for this entire city and a call to action. @GovInslee @kcexec @MayorofSeattle @seattlecouncil @KCCouncil @CMTammyMorales @CMSaraNelson @CMTMosqueda @D5Juarez @KC_RHA

They’re Back On Wednesday, crews were polishing the sidewalks on 3rd Ave near #Seattle City Hall and there were zero tents in sight. Today, a few new tents have already popped right back up and the street hustlers are back. Open air drug use with Mariners fans walking by for Opening Day. Keep sweeping @MayorofSeattle. No other options. Gotta separate the criminal element from the actual homeless who need help. Still waiting for Councilmember Andrew Lewis (@CMAndrewJLewis) to come out with me for a walk through the hood. #Seattle Just Yesterday Aside from the open air drug use which is everywhere, 3rd Ave & Cherry St was looking better. This is just one block from #Seattle City Hall. Mayor needs Read More ›

Day After Sweep This evening, the fence is up at the former King St. homeless encampment on @WSDOT property after Wednesday’s clear out in #Chinatown-ID. But multiple tents, a couch, and a generator have already popped up on the other side. These sidewalks are city of #Seattle‘s responsibility. How soon until crews move in and clear this out? Unreal. Residents and biz owners are afraid @govinslee will surrender #CID again. They want @mayorofseattle to continue with on going sweeps. These are the folks who have refused housing options. Still no sign of Councilmember Tammy Morales (@CMTammyMorales.) @JoeMcDermottWA @kcexec @seattlecouncil @kccouncil @CMSaraNelson @CMTMosqueda @D5Juarez @WAStateCommerce The Other Side At the former Jackson St. encampment in #Chinatown-ID, crews were still cleaning the Read More ›

Sweeps All Week Day 1 in the books at the Ship Canal Bridge encampment on the Wallingford side, right across street from John Stanford Int. School. @WSDOT crews expect to be on this for a few more days. Then on Thursday, they move across I-5 to tackle the U District side. This type of undertaking in the same week is unprecedented for The Washington State Dept. of Transportation. But critics say Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) should not be taking a victory lap since he allowed this all to flourish under his watch. If anything, he should be on an apology tour. Later this week, WSDOT is also moving in to clear two notorious homeless encampments in #Chinatown-ID.#Seattle @MayorofSeattle @kcexec @KC_RHA Read More ›

Jonathan Choe joins Fox & Friends to debunk the claim that capitalism is to blame for the homelessness crisis in our cities. Instead, he points to leadership continuing to push failed policy that neglects to address the root causes of the issue.

Major Sweep in SODO…Again Crews are out right now at 3rd Ave. S & Holgate St in SODO. Just in the past year, I have now covered ten sweeps in this area. RV owners openly say they will simply circle around the neighborhood and come right back in a few days or weeks. City and @Seattledot cannot keep up with enforcement. And I spoke to more than a dozen people here on Wednesday. No one is taking offer of shelters or services. Other say they don’t want apartments because they have to pay rent. They just want to be left alone! This is the worst kept secret, but this is one of the most ideal locations for the homeless and Read More ›