homeless

City to remove encampment from under Magnolia Bridge

June 19, 2017 by Homelessness Response

The encampment is located under the Magnolia Bridge in the shaded area.

On Thursday, June 15, the City’s Navigation Team visited an encampment under the Magnolia Bridge (see area on map) to post and provide verbal notice to those living there that the encampment will be removed on Tuesday, June 20. As with all encampment removals, the Navigation Team of specially trained police officers and outreach workers offered individuals on site alternative shelter and other services.

The Navigation Team will return to conduct outreach again on Tuesday morning before crews will cleanup trash and debris left behind. City field coordinators will offer to store personal belongings for up to 70 days; the City delivers stored belongings upon request.

Photos taken during a site inspection:

New count provides City with additional tool to address homelessness

June 1, 2017 by Homelessness Response

Count Us In – a new and more comprehensive point-in-time homelessness report was released May 31, providing critical new baseline on homelessness in Seattle and King County. This year’s Count Us In used a nationally-recognized count methodology, a countywide canvas of 99.5 percent of King County census tracts, and a person-to-person survey of people experiencing homelessness to gain a clearer picture of the people and not just the numbers.

The 2017 Count Us In tally counted a total of 11,643 people experiencing homelessness throughout King County. This total includes 6,158 people sheltered in transitional housing or emergency shelters, and 5,485 people on the streets, sleeping in vehicles, tents or encampments (both sanctioned and unsanctioned). Obtaining reliable, accurate and actionable data through the annual point-in-time count is a requirement for federal funding, and imperative to informing local strategies to address homelessness. This year, the count was held on Jan. 27.

“We set out to do a more rigorous, comprehensive, and thorough count than ever this year so we could assess the specifics of this crisis and develop concrete solutions to it,” said Seattle Mayor Ed Murray. “Since this count was taken, we’ve aggressively implemented a hands-on approach to addressing this crisis. Our Navigation Team of social workers, health professionals, and police officers have successfully engaged with more 600 people and connected services and housing to more than 250. This is how individualized services can help and how having a complete picture of this crisis helps us better service those experiencing it.”

For Seattle, there were 8,476 people experiencing homelessness in Seattle. Of those, 4,619 were sheltered and 3,857 were living on the streets, in tents, in vehicles or in sanctioned and unsanctioned encampments.

Additionally, this year All Home, who coordinated the count, also commissioned a person-to-person survey completed by 1,158 people reflecting a representative sample of the sheltered and unsheltered population across the county. The results of the survey can be generalized to the entire population of people experiencing homelessness with 95% confidence. Key findings include:

– People experiencing homelessness in King County are our neighbors, and overwhelmingly local. Ninety-one percent are from Washington state, including 77 percent who said they were last housed in King County. Only 9 percent reported a last home address out of state.

– History of domestic violence or partner abuse is prevalent; 40 percent said they had experienced abuse and 7 percent said it was the current cause for their homelessness.

– Homelessness disproportionately impacts people of color. In all, about 55 percent of the local homeless population are people of color.

– Half of all people surveyed reported a disabling condition, and more than a third have two or more conditions. Most mentioned were mental illness, substance use, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

– Nearly a third are maintaining employment.

– Loss of job (30%), drug/alcohol problems (20%), or eviction (11%) were the leading causes of homelessness.

– Homelessness is not a choice. Ninety-two percent said they would take safe and affordable housing today if it was available.

– Rental assistance and affordable housing were the top two supports needed to end the experience of homelessness.

The Count Us In results are a reminder that homelessness will only be solved with the commitment and resources of the entire Seattle and King County community. This support must address the immediate needs of those currently experiencing homelessness, as well as skyrocketing rent, stagnant wages and limited access to behavioral health resources which were all identified as contributing factors to the rising homelessness population. Permanent housing is the best solution to resolve a person’s homeless crisis—but there’s still not enough for everyone who needs it. In Seattle, there are more than 60,000 households who are paying more than 30 percent of their income on housing. More than 46,000 are paying more than 50 percent. The City remains committed in leveraging the resources of partners such as the faith based community, philanthropy and the private sector to help transition people out of homelessness.

“This new count is the most comprehensive to date, and confirms that homelessness is prevalent throughout the county,” said Mark Putnam, Director of All Home. “People who are homeless want housing, and we are housing more people than ever. Yet the count confirms that more people are becoming homeless here. This is true wherever there is a severe lack of affordable housing.”

All Home, the City of Seattle and King County together with their partners are moving more people from homelessness to permanent housing – and doing so faster than ever. Guided by the Pathway’s Home framework for addressing homelessness, the City of Seattle has been intentional in taking bold steps to help those experiencing homelessness.

SPD’s Sgt. Zerr and REACH outreach workers, all members of the City’s Navigation Team, get ready to begin offering services and alternative shelter to people living under the Spokane Street Viaduct on Friday, April 7.

– The Emergency Operations Center has been activated since February and has focused all departments on helping people living unsheltered to move to safer alternatives.

– The Navigation Team of outreach social workers and specially trained police officers has offered services to 630 unique individuals, and 252 of them relocated to safer living arrangements, including 162 to sanctioned City encampments.

– Two of the City’s enhanced-model shelters are under construction that will house 175 people at a time or about 700 people a year. Both will open this summer.

– Three new sanctioned encampments opened in March and April, bringing 162 new spaces for Navigation Team to refer people to. Capacity is 225 for all three new camps, and well over 400 spaces available.

– Partnering with King County, the City is supporting the work of the Opioid Task Force.

– Funding for diversion services has increased by 40% to help people avoid episodes of homelessness. The City has also increased investments in rapid rehousing programs and other permanent housing options.

The full Count Us In 2017 Report is available on the All Home website.

More than half of individuals living unsheltered in encampments near Poplar & Dean / Dearborn accept alternative living arrangements offered by City’s Navigation Team

May 24, 2017 by Homelessness Response

The Navigation Team officers and outreach, City field coordinators and UGM outreach huddle up before beginning engagement with individuals still on site.

Following several weeks of intensive, repeated outreach to individuals camping near South Dean Street/Poplar Place South and along South Dearborn Street to 10^th Avenue South, the City’s Navigation Team facilitated 19 of 34 people living unsheltered moving to alternative living arrangements during yesterday’s final push before the area is closed to camping. Ten of those individuals moved to City sanctioned encampments, three reconnected with family support systems, while the rest accepted spaces in other shelters.

This outreach success follow’s last week’s closure and cleanup of the I-90 Cloverleaf, where 26 of 56 individuals contacted accepted alternative living arrangements.

Since May 1, the City’s Navigation Team of specially trained Seattle Police officers and outreach workers has been conducting repeated, intensive outreach to individuals camping in the area that stretches from the I-90 on/off-ramps at Rainier Avenue South (the “Cloverleaf”) north to South Dearborn Street. Union Gospel Mission and the Mental Health Outreach Team have provided essential support to these efforts. Additionally, City field coordinators assisted people with temporary storage of belongings.

The Navigation Team officers offer services to individuals while City field coordinators offer storage of personal belongings.

Neighbors and other community members who have been generously supporting individuals living unsheltered in these locations with trash collection, meals and other supplies, again provided to-go bags of food and water to campers leaving the area. The City welcomes these types of offers in advance, and can coordinate a space safely outside the work zone where volunteers can engage with people.

As areas were cleared of people and their belongings they planned to take or store, cleanup crews began removing trash and debris. Most of yesterday’s area of focus will be fenced for its next use – on June 1, per an agreement with WSDOT, Sound Transit will begin utilizing the area roughly between South Dearborn Street and I-90, from 10th Avenue South on the west to South Dean Street on the east, as a staging area for construction of the East Link Light Rail extension.

The hillside below the Dr. Jose P Rizal Bridge along Dearborn Street, last month (on the left, looking toward Dearborn) and yesterday (on the right, from Dearborn looking toward the bridge).

Community rallies around new enhanced shelter in First Hill

May 24, 2017 by Homelessness Response

About 60 people attended the community meeting last night for the new shelter at the First Presbyterian Church in First Hill. Janet Pope, Executive Director of Compass Housing who will operate the shelter, thanked the community for being so supportive and welcoming.

This program is funded through the City of Seattle’s Human Services Department, and is a partnership between Compass Housing Alliance and First Presbyterian Church – two organizations with deep roots in the community, and with strong commitment to missions of service to those in need.

Rev. Dr. Heidi Husted Armstrong of First Presbyterian addresses the attendees.

There were questions regarding the program, underlying program principles, accountability and metrics. Many people attending wanted information about how the community could support the program, including volunteer opportunities.

Compass and First Presbyterian addressed their longer-term plan for gathering feedback from and providing updates to the community.

George Scarola, the City’s Director of the Office of Homelessness, provided the City’s greetings and ended by saying, “We often say the City can’t solve the problem by itself. Here’s another way this shelter helps show the way. This is a great example how a welcoming neighborhood, a deeply committed church and a great nonprofit group can partner to meet the need for 24/7 shelter.”

This enhanced shelter model is part of the City’s Pathways Home Plan, which is guiding the actions the City and its partners are taking to address homelessness.

After I-90 Cloverleaf closure, City’s Navigation Team and cleanup crews move north to Poplar & Dean, Dearborn Street

May 19, 2017 by Homelessness Response

Crews will remove trash and debris from this area and close it to camping.

Following the closure and cleanup of camping at the I-90 Cloverleaf this week, City efforts will move north to South Dean Street and Poplar Place South, and along South Dearborn Street to 10^th Avenue South, beginning on Tuesday, May 23.

Since May 1, the City’s Navigation Team of specially trained Seattle Police officers and outreach workers has been conducting repeated, intensive outreach to individuals camping in both the Cloverleaf area and up through the areas that will be addressed next week. Monday will be another day of concentrated outreach, with the Navigation Team offering alternative shelter, individualized services and storage of personal belongings.

On Tuesday morning, the Navigation Team will return to work with anyone still on site. City field coordinators will assist people with storage of belongings. If an owner is not present, trained staff will sort through items and collect personal belongings for storage, unless items are clearly refuse, hazardous or evidence of a crime. Once areas are clear of people and their belongings they plan to take or store, cleanup crews will move in to remove trash and debris.

Side streets will be temporarily closed to parking to make room for City equipment.

With support from REACH, Union Gospel Mission and the Mental Health Outreach Team, the Navigation Team’s outreach at the Cloverleaf resulted in 26 of 56 people moving to alternate living arrangements, in addition to a number of others accepting various other services such as securing state ID, mental health evaluation and assistance, medical assistance, coordinated entry housing assessments, case management services and employment referrals. Similar services will be offered during next week’s cleanup.

Neighbors and other community members who have been generously supporting individuals living unsheltered in these locations with trash collection, meals and other supplies, plan to provide assistance to campers on Tuesday, just as they did during the Cloverleaf cleanup this week. The City welcomes these types of offers in advance, and can coordinate a space safely outside the work zone where volunteers can engage with people.

The Cloverleaf was closed on Tuesday, May 16. The areas along Dearborn shown above will be closed beginning on Tuesday, May 23.

On June 1, per an agreement with WSDOT, Sound Transit will begin utilizing the area roughly between South Dearborn Street and I-90, from 10th Avenue South on the west to South Dean Street on the east, as a staging area for construction of the East Link Light Rail extension.

These areas will be designated emphasis areas, which means that they will be posted with signs and regularly monitored. The removal of tents and belongings from posted emphasis areas does not require notice as with other encampments, though personal belongings will be stored when found.

This area will be cleaned next week and then closed to camping.

Nearly half of individuals contacted move to alternate living situations as City closes the Cloverleaf to camping

May 18, 2017 by Homelessness Response

On Friday, May 12, City crews posted notices of the impending closure in both English and Spanish around the site and on individuals tents, as shown here.

Yesterday, the City took the next step to close the area that stretches from the I-90 on/off-ramps at Rainier Avenue South (the “Cloverleaf”) north to South Dearborn Street to unauthorized camping. The area has experienced increasing public safety and health concerns impacting homeless individuals and the surrounding community, and some of the land will soon be put to use by Sound Transit for the East Link Light Rail extension project (see previous post for more).

Since May 1, the City’s Navigation Team of specially trained Seattle Police officers and outreach workers has been conducting repeated, intensive outreach to individuals camping in this location, offering alternative shelter, individualized services and storage of personal belongings. Over the last two weeks, the Navigation Team made more than 300 documented contacts to a total of 56 people in the Cloverleaf area. Prior to yesterday’s effort, many individuals had accepted and were moved to alternate living situations, with most moving to the City-sanctioned encampments where they will receive case management to get the support needed to move onto a more permanent living situation.

Navigation Team officers and UGM outreach workers talk with an individual to determine what services she may need.

By the time the Cloverleaf was closed to camping yesterday, 26 people had moved to alternate living arrangements, including 21 who moved to sanctioned encampments. As with other encampment removals, services beyond alternative shelter were offered, resulting in the following:

— Seven people assisted in securing state ID.
— Three people provided with medical assistance at the encampment site.
— Four people received coordinated entry housing assessments.
— 11 people connected to case management services.
— Six people referred to MID employment coordinator for assistance with housing.
— 32 total mental health outreach contacts provided on May 11, 15-16.

Neighbors served breakfast and coffee under the I-90 overpass on Rainier Avenue. They also organized an effort to pack “to-go” bags with food and water, and worked with the Navigation Team to have them distributed to campers.

Nine individuals declined any options offered. Another eight disclosed they would look for another place to camp. Still, the Navigation Team is seeing positive outcomes through offers of a comprehensive service package along with significant assertive and mental health outreach. This particular effort included essential support from REACH, Union Gospel Mission and the Mental Health Outreach Team.

A group of neighbors and other community members have been generously supporting individuals living unsheltered in these locations, including providing a weekly meal service, delivery of supplies and assistance with trash cleanup. Once the area was scheduled for closure, these neighbors reached out to the City to see how they could support the individuals during the cleanup. The City welcomed their assistance, happy to collaborate with these neighbors and provide a space where they served coffee and breakfast and could engage with individuals exiting the camp. This model could be replicated at future encampment removals, as long as it is coordinated in advance.

A member of the Navigation Team checks to see if anyone is in this tent and is interested in a to-go bag of food and water provided by neighbors.

Next steps

In addition to the Navigation Team and outreach working with individuals, City field coordinators assisted people with storage of belongings. Cleanup crews were on standby until people had moved. Today, City crews are continuing cleanup and SDOT has begun fencing work around the Cloverleaf. Parks and SDOT crews will begin vegetation removal and tree pruning tomorrow.

Next Tuesday, May 23, cleanup and closure efforts will move north to South Dean Street and Poplar Place South, and along South Dearborn Street to 10^th Avenue South. On June 1, per an agreement with WSDOT, Sound Transit will begin utilizing the area roughly between South Dearborn Street and I-90, from 10th Avenue South on the west to South Dean Street on the east, as a staging area for construction of the East Link Light Rail extension.

Crews collected trash and debris identified as garbage by campers or abandoned. If an owner is not present, trained staff will sort through items and collect personal belongings for storage, unless items are clearly refuse, hazardous or evidence of a crime.

Intensive outreach continues before removal of illegal camping along I-90/Rainier Avenue/Dearborn Street

May 11, 2017 by Homelessness Response

click to enlarge

As announced on April 28, due to increasing public safety and health concerns impacting homeless individuals and the surrounding community, the City is working toward removal of the illegal camping that stretches from the I-90 on/off-ramps at Rainier Avenue South (the “Cloverleaf”) north to South Dearborn Street. Last week the City’s Navigation Team began repeated, intensive outreach. The closure and cleanup efforts will stretch over two weeks – beginning with the Cloverleaf area on Tuesday, May 16, followed by South Dean Street and Poplar Place South, and along South Dearborn Street to 10^th Avenue South on May 23.

Outreach and offers of services tailored to individuals
Beginning May 1, the City’s Navigation Team of specially trained Seattle Police officers and outreach workers have been conducting outreach, offering alternative shelter, individualized services and storage of personal belongings to individuals camping in this location. So far, the team has visited the area last week on May 1 and 5, this week on Monday, Wednesday and today. The team will be returning tomorrow, May 12, on Monday, May 15, and will be working throughout the two-week cleanup.

During Monday’s and yesterday’s visits, the Navigation Team documented 93 contacts. Six individuals have accepted alternative living arrangements – four moved to the Georgetown encampment and one to the Licton Springs encampment, while another individual was referred to Peace for the Streets by Kids from the Streets (PSKS). The Navigation Team is also maintaining a waiting list of individuals who are interested in moving to sanctioned encampments on Monday, when additional space will be available. Outreach assisted five individuals with securing their state IDs, connected six individuals to case management, and conducted coordinated entry housing assessments for two individuals. Additionally, three individuals were provided with medical assistance and several referrals were made for employment.

Today, an eight-person specialty mental health team supplemented the Navigation Team’s outreach work. This team of professionals engaged some 31 individuals living with persistent mental illness, offering support, making assessments and scheduling follow-up visits. The team provided onsite mental health support and companionship, basic needs including food, socks and water. The mental health professionals worked to help those experiencing anxieties around relocating to process their thoughts and feelings. Several of the individuals contacted responded positively to the engagements, with three immediately committing to relocating to a sanctioned encampment and another two scheduling follow-ups to discuss their final decisions.

Working closely with our partners – including the Salvation Army, Union Gospel Mission, Compass Housing Alliance, DESC, Patacara and LIHI – the City is confident there will be alternative spaces available at the time of the cleanups for individuals who wish to accept them. These spaces include traditional shelter as well as the City-sanctioned encampments. As with other encampment removals, the Navigation Team offers services beyond alternative shelter, including: reconnecting with family/support systems, case management, mental health support, medical support, substance use disorder treatment referral, employment support, benefits activation support, coordinated entry housing assessment, state ID acquisition assistance and basic needs.

The City recognizes a group of neighbors and other community members have been generously supporting individuals living unsheltered in these locations, including providing a weekly meal service, delivery of supplies and assistance with trash cleanup. Unfortunately, the illegal camping is too extensive and lacks structured management to keep trash under control, prevent hazardous structures from being built, and deter negative behavior. On the days of removal, the City will identify a location outside of the cleanup perimeter where these volunteers will be welcome to engage with the individuals whom they have come to know.

Public safety concerns
While many people living in these encampments may not be involved in criminal activity, these large encampments tend to attract negative behavior. The already vulnerable homeless individuals and the surrounding community are impacted by this activity. Over just the last several weeks, a number of fires and violent crimes in this area have been reported including: a brush fire caused by a generator earlier this week; a significant fire that burned a large tent, surrounding property and trees last weekend; a woman who suffered severe stab wounds and reported being held hostage in her tent while being assaulted; several reports of shots fired and victims arriving at Harborview Medical Center with gunshot wounds; and a woman who was treated for injuries at Swedish Medical Center who reported a man beat her with a campfire grill and choked her with his hands and an extension cord. On April 27, the Seattle Police Department SWAT served a search warrant at a tent near South Dearborn Street and 10th Avenue South and seized a cache of handguns and rifles.

Next steps
After the cleanup, the Cloverleaf will be fenced. It will also be designated as an emphasis area, which means that it will be posted with signs and regularly monitored. The removal of tents and belongings from posted emphasis areas does not require notice as with other encampments, though personal belongings will be stored when found.

Navigation Center offers new model in former shelter space to help people off the streets

April 28, 2017 by Homelessness Response

Construction on the City’s Navigation Center, located in the Pearl Warren Building at 606 12^th Ave S., is approximately 70% complete, and is on track for a summer 2017 opening.

The Navigation Center model is important as our community moves to more “low-barrier,” 24/7 shelters in which individuals do not have to meet certain screening criteria. The enhanced model provides supportive services, meals, laundry, and other amenities. This is similar to the “Compass at First Presbyterian” shelter in the First Hill neighborhood announced earlier in April in partnership with Compass Housing Alliance and First Presbyterian Church.

A planned dormitory-style living facility that provides shower, bathroom, and laundry facilities, as well as meals and a place to store personal belongings, Seattle’s Navigation Center also will welcome pets, couples, and individuals as well as their possessions. Once fully open, the Navigation Center will serve up to 75 individuals at one time. Residents of the Navigation Center must be referred into the Center from authorized outreach workers; it is not a traditional “drop-in” center.

While this model provides a safe place for people who are homeless to come inside off the streets, it also brings their possessions off the streets, contributing to a cleaner neighborhood. On-site staff will serve as liaisons with the community around issues that might arise involving the Navigation Center operations and oversee the grounds around the center. This new model is another step in implementing the Pathways Home plan, the City’s framework for addressing homelessness, and replaces the night-time only shelter that has been operating in the Pearl Warren Building for the past two years.

Mayor Ed Murray met with a group of community representatives in March to hear their concerns about the decision to locate the Navigation Center in the Little Saigon Business District, which is part of the Chinatown/International District. The siting of the Navigation Center followed the City’s normal process for siting a homeless shelter.

In the meeting, the Mayor acknowledged the community’s concerns and given the nature of this project, directed Deputy Mayor Hyeok Kim, Director Catherine Lester (Human Services Department), and Director Kathy Nyland (Department of Neighborhoods) to work with City departments to address some of the key issues that have been raised by the community. The City is actively working with neighborhood and community leaders to develop a plan that addresses some of the key questions and concerns that have been raised—such as those about public safety, programmatic elements of the Navigation Center, and economic impacts on the surrounding small business district–to ensure the successful opening of the Navigation Center in the coming weeks.

Any delays in the schedule could impact the operations of the Navigation Center and the urgent work of bringing some of the most vulnerable people off the streets and into supportive services and shelter.

The City’s Human Services Department has contracted with the Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) to operate the center and offer shelter as well as supportive services and case management to quickly transition clients into housing. DESC’s mission is not merely to offer shelter, but to end the homelessness of our community’s most vulnerable people, through an integrated array of clinical services and supportive housing that allows men and women to reclaim their lives and reach their highest potential. They also will work with clients needing healthcare, including substance abuse treatment and mental health services. HSD is also contracting with Operation Sack Lunch (OSL) to provide food and meals on site. OSL’s mission is grounded in a commitment to addressing food insecurity by providing nutritional meals, education and advocacy in service of the most vulnerable.

“To best serve those living unsheltered in our community, our services must recognize the individuals left outside of our current system,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “Some of our most vulnerable neighbors face mental health and addiction challenges, or have other individualized needs, such as partners, pets or possessions, that the Navigation Center is designed to address. This new approach to addressing the growing national homelessness crisis, which has impacted thousands here in Seattle, allows the City to fill a gap that has prevented many from accessing services and shelter.”

City will conduct intensive outreach prior to removal of illegal camping along I-90 from on/off-ramps at Rainier Avenue to Dearborn Street

April 28, 2017 by Homelessness Response

Due to increasing public safety and health concerns impacting homeless individuals and the surrounding community, the City will begin working toward removal of the illegal camping that stretches from the I-90 on/off-ramps at Rainier Avenue South (the “Cloverleaf”) north to South Dearborn Street. There have been several fires, multiple reports of violent crimes associated with individuals in this area, and a consistent problem with accumulating garbage. Additionally, there are concerns about the safety of campers and pedestrians near the Cloverleaf and drivers navigating the busy exit ramp, which is WSDOT-owned property.

Starting Monday, May 1, and continuing up through the removal of these encampments, the City’s Navigation Team of specially trained Seattle Police officers and outreach workers will conduct outreach, offering alternative shelter, individualized services and storage of personal belongings to individuals camping in this location. The closure and cleanup efforts will stretch over two weeks – beginning with the Cloverleaf area on May 16, followed by South Dean Street and Poplar Place South, and along South Dearborn Street to 10^th Avenue South on May 23.

After the cleanup, these locations will become emphasis areas, which are places where an encampment has become a consistent problem. Emphasis areas are posted as such and are regularly monitored. The removal of tents and belongings from posted emphasis areas does not require notice as with other encampments, though personal belongings will be stored. On June 1, per an agreement with WSDOT, the area roughly between South Dearborn Street and I-90, from 10th Avenue South on the west and South Dean Street on the east, will be utilized by Sound Transit as a staging area for construction of the East Link Light Rail extension.

Public safety concerns

While many people living in these encampments may not be involved in criminal activity, these large encampments tend to attract negative behavior. The already vulnerable homeless individuals and the surrounding community are impacted by this activity. Over just the last several weeks, a number of fires and violent crimes have been reported in this area, including: a brush fire caused by a generator earlier this week; a significant fire that burned a large tent, surrounding property and trees last weekend; a woman who suffered severe stab wounds and reported being held hostage in her tent while being assaulted; several reports of shots fired and victims arriving at Harborview Medical Center with gunshot wounds; and a woman who was treated for injuries at Swedish Medical Center who reported a man beat her with a campfire grill and choked her with his hands and an extension cord. Today, the Seattle Police Department SWAT served a search warrant at a tent near South Dearborn Street and 10th Avenue South and seized a cache of handguns and rifles.

Balancing support to individuals with negative impacts of large encampment

A group of community members has been organizing support for individuals living here, including offering supplies, collecting trash and providing meal service on Sundays. While their efforts are very generous, unfortunately, the illegal camping is too extensive and lacks structured management to keep trash under control, prevent hazardous structures from being built, and deter negative behavior. The City has been communicating with these volunteers and is open to continuing to work with them on ways to support homeless individuals, but not in this location.

Two weeks ago the City conducted a cleaning emphasis along South Dearborn Street, and last week collected garbage at the Cloverleaf and removed the campers around the staircases that provides access from Rainier Avenue South to the Metro bus station on I-90. As part of those efforts, the City’s Navigation Team conducted outreach, offering alternative shelter, individualized services and storage of personal belongings to individuals camping in this location.

Navigation Team and cleaning crew emphasis: Ballard Locks

April 21, 2017 by Homelessness Response

Tents, bicycles and trash will be cleared from this wooded area near the Ballard Locks.

UPDATE – April 25 26
Due to other emerging priorities impacting scheduling, the City did not post this encampment on Thursday, April 20, as originally planned. Instead, the City will provide official notice that the encampment will be removed on Monday, May 1. This is consistent with the City’s encampment removal rules. Information below is updated to reflect this change, with new information in italics.

This week the City provided notice to individuals living in tents and structures near the Ballard Locks (see orange boundaries in the aerial image below) that the encampment will be removed next week. The detailed schedule is outlined below:

April 20: Signs were posted at the site providing notice that the City will be removing this encampment beginning on Tuesday, April 25. The notice includes information about accessing services and storage of belongings.

April 21: The City’s Navigation Team of specially trained Seattle Police officers and outreach workers will be conducting outreach, offering alternative shelter, individualized services and storage of personal belongings to individuals camping in this location.

April 24: REACH outreach workers will continue conducting outreach, offering alternative shelter and individualized services to individuals camping in this location.

April 25 27: Signs will be posted at the site providing notice that the City will be removing this encampment beginning on ~~Friday, April 28~~ Monday, May 1. The notice includes information about accessing services and storage of belongings. City crews will also collect trash around the encampment.

April 25-~~26 28~~ May 1: The Navigation Team will continue conducting outreach, offering alternative shelter, individualized services and storage of personal belongings to individuals camping in this location. Once individuals are clear of the area, City crews will collect trash and debris along this area.

~~April 28~~May 1: Once individuals are clear of the area, City crews will collect trash and debris along this area.

The immediate plan following removal of the encampment and associated trash and debris is for City crews to conduct vegetation management, which is standard maintenance as we go into the summer months. Trimming of vegetation also increases visibility to the area, potentially making it less attractive for camping. Removing the encampment may damage existing vegetation, and vegetation management will work to restore damaged plants as able.

The Navigation Team and cleaning crews will be focusing on the area in orange.