low barrier housing

Out of Sight, Out of Mind The Trump administration is in the process of defunding “permanent supportive housing” for homeless drug addicts across the nation. That’s because data shows these “low barrier” tax funded facilities just warehouse individuals and invite more crime into neighborhoods. In some instances, case workers irresponsibly place addicts on the same floor with drug dealers. Listen to this former Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) resident describe what’s really happening inside.

A low barrier homeless shelter anticipated to open in Kirkland, Washington, is driving business owner Bryan Mistele and his company out of the city. Mistele is the co-founder and CEO of INRIX, a transportation company headquartered in Kirkland, Washington. Kirkland is moving forward on a plan to convert a hotel across from INRIX into a homeless shelter, with no drug testing or treatment required. Mistele appeared on the Jason Rantz show to discuss why this is a bad idea, and why it has forced his company — one of the largest employers in Kirkland — out of the city. Announcing INRIX’s Move Kirkland Low Barrier Housing Pushed Through Despite Community Concerns

“Don’t Talk to Him” Not sure if this DESC Navigation Center worker shows up for Monday’s press conference in Little Saigon. I don’t think she likes all the attention and scrutiny.

New Chinatown-ID is fighting back and demanding more support and security from Seattle leaders. Monday morning, community activists will be holding a press conference at 10:00 am in front of DESC’s Navigation Center. This controversial “low barrier” homeless shelter is being blamed for attracting crime, chaos, and death to this neighborhood. That’s because drug use is allowed and supplies are freely given out without any requirements for treatment. This past weekend a hoard of addicts overwhelmed the sidewalk right outside this facility, corroborating neighbor concerns. It was supposed to finally close by the end of January. But Mayor Bruce Harrell delayed the move until March, enraging neighbors and biz owners who have already sacrificed so much. Press Release Leading the Read More ›

New “Housing First” is an utter failure and must be scrapped. The latest data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development proves it. Even the drug addicts say this not an affordable housing issue. In fact some people are now afraid to go into low barrier “permanent support housing” situations because they know drug use and overdose deaths are rampant behind closed doors. They don’t want to die alone in these inhumane conditions. “Housing First” and “harm reduction” policies are fueling this crisis. When will King County and Seattle leaders start course correcting? Liberal Media is Turning This cartoon in the Seattle Times sums up “Housing First” and how it’s been fueling the crisis on the streets. Even Read More ›

Exclusive In February I exposed a nightmare of drugs, crime, chaos, and death inside some of Plymouth Housing’s taxpayer funded apartments for the homeless. But their leaders ignored all my questions about accountability. So I confronted them at their annual gala and they ran. Donors Behind Low Barrier Housing Why are Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks, Delta Dental of Washington, Pagliacci Pizza, AvalonBay Communities, Goodman Real Estate, and Brettler Family Foundation funding meth pipes and drug supplies in Plymouth Housing facilities without any requirements to get addiction treatment? Problems Plague Plymouth I’ve also obtained hundreds of 911 call logs to the newest Plymouth Housing facility in Bellevue that opened at the end of last year. Same problems including deaths, drug overdoses, and Read More ›

Breaking Controversial homeless housing provider Plymouth Housing will now be running operations at the former Kirkland La Quinta Inn on 10530 Northup Way. Despite major opposition, the city council voted unanimously to allow it into the community. Concerns About Low Barrier Model Under King County’s “Health Through Housing,” neighbors expressed concerns about hardcore drug use and other problems spilling into the community. That’s because Plymouth subscribes to the low barrier “housing first” model where addicts are not required to get treatment. Councilmember Applauds Low Barrier Housing King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci is applauding this move in her district. Today’s press release did not indicate when the Kirkland location would open. Low Barrier Housing Doesn’t Work I spent a year investigating Read More ›

I’m joined on my very first episode by actor Billy Baldwin and Discovery Senior Fellow and homelessness expert Robert Marbut. We talk about their upcoming documentary (Americans With No Address), our experience doing outreach on the streets of Seattle, and why the right and left have every reason to find common ground on homelessness, addiction, and untreated mental illness.