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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 10th 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.

Filed Under: Homelessness Tagged With: homeless, navigation team

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Navigation Team and cleaning crew emphasis: South Dearborn Street and I-90 at Rainier Avenue South

April 13, 2017 by Homelessness Response

This week the City began a focused effort to address trash and provide individualized outreach services along South Dearborn Street and I-90 to Rainier Avenue South. The schedule for each of the three areas of focus is outlined below:

South Dearborn Street: Trash and Debris Cleanup

April 12-13: Crews are collecting trash and debris along South Dearborn Street from South Sixth Avenue to Rainier Avenue South.

The “Cloverleaf” at I-90/Rainier Avenue South: Litter and Garbage Removal Along Sidewalk

I-90 Cloverleaf. On April 18 the City will remove trash from the orange area along the sidewalk. The Navigation Team will conduct outreach to individuals in the area on April 14, 17 and 18, offering services, shelter and storage of belongings.

April 13: Signs will be posted providing notice that the City will be conducting a litter clean-up along the sidewalk surrounding the encampment at the Cloverleaf at the I-90 exit to Rainier Avenue South (see image). Campers are not being asked to leave the broader area, but will be asked to move back from the sidewalk to create a safe work zone.

April 14: 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 in the Cloverleaf area.

April 17: The Navigation Team will continue conducting outreach and offering storage of personal belongings to individuals in the Cloverleaf area.

April 18: The Navigation Team will continue conducting outreach and offering storage of personal belongings to individuals in the Cloverleaf area and assisting with clearing a safe works zone along the sidewalk. City crews will collect trash and debris along this area.

Metro Staircases at I-90/Rainier Avenue South: Outreach and Encampment Removal

Tents along the walkway to the Metro bus station on I-90.

April 13: Signs will be posted providing notice that the City will be clearing obstructions around the staircases that provide access from Rainier Avenue South to the Metro bus station on I-90. This area is being cleaned for public safety reasons. Unauthorized camping around the staircases and the trash that has accumulated creates potential hazards for both pedestrians and campers using the stairs.

April 14: 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 around the Metro staircases.

April 17: The Navigation Team will continue conducting outreach and offering storage of personal belongings to individuals around the Metro staircases.

April 18: The Navigation Team will continue conducting outreach and offering storage of personal belongings to individuals around the Metro staircases, and help move any individuals still there out of the area. Once individuals are clear of the area, City crews will clean up the trash and debris left behind.

 

 

Note: There may be City staff in the area around Poplar Place South and South Dean Street, assessing the situation, but there has been no cleanup of any kind scheduled for that area at this time.

Filed Under: Homelessness Tagged With: homeless, navigation team

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Reducing hazards under low bridge structures, beginning with the Spokane Street viaduct

April 11, 2017 by Homelessness Response

Last week, there were three significant homeless-related fire or fire hazard incidents around critical bridge infrastructure in Seattle: the RV fire under the Spokane Street viaduct/West Seattle Bridge on April 6, a propane tank explosion and fire underneath I-90/Edgar Martinez Way near Airport Way (across from the Field) on April 5, and removal of 26 propane tanks stacked around the base of a Magnolia bridge support column adjacent to a homeless encampment on April 4.

On April 6, Two RVs burned under the west end of the Spokane Street viaduct where it meets the West Seattle Bridge.

Camping under low bridge structures can present a hazard for the City’s essential infrastructure, especially when there are concentrations of flammable materials such as pallets and mattresses, and a likelihood of open flames or vehicles with mechanical issues. SDOT engineers are particularly concerned about the concentration of approximately 30 RVs underneath the western most end of Spokane Street where the structure is the lowest because RVs are composed of a combination of chemicals and flammable materials that burn very hot and present a significant danger to bridge infrastructure. According to SDOT, RVs include many of the same chemicals that brought down I-85 in Atlanta last week.

“Safety is our priority and having encampments and recreational vehicles under the West Seattle Bridge poses public safety risks especially if there are flammable/volatile materials being used to cook and heat inside the vehicles,” said Scott Kubly, SDOT director. “We are working with other City agencies to ensure maintenance access under our structures by keeping the area clear of potentially hazardous materials.”

RVs, furniture, tents, a barbeque and a burn barrel are among items found under the Spokane Street viaduct on Friday, April 7.

“The Seattle Fire Department has responded to a number of fires under the Spokane Street viaduct, including one last week where two RVs were destroyed and another in January where a man died in an RV fire. The concentration of occupied vehicles, tents, pallets, furniture and debris under the low bridge structure has created a specific fire hazard that needs to be addressed for the safety of the vulnerable people living there and the bridge itself,” said Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins.

The City is addressing the immediate hazard where the RV fire occurred last week, clearing that area of any RVs, vehicles, tents and other materials. SDOT has set a perimeter that encompasses the median along Spokane Street, from under the base of the West Seattle Bridge to Colorado Street on the east, that must be cleared. That area will then be fenced off to allow SDOT and Seattle City Light to perform repairs and maintenance, including following up on necessary lighting system repairs.

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 Thursday, April 6.

On Friday, April 7, the City provided notice to individuals who were on site that clearing of the area within the perimeter described above would begin on Tuesday, April 11. Recognizing the large number of RVs and other vehicles present, many of which are not operational, the City expects this effort will take several days, possibly into next week. The Navigation Team has also been offering services and alternative shelter to these individuals, outreach that will continue as long as necessary.

Additionally, on Friday the City began notifying RVs and vehicles parked all along the median under the Spokane Street viaduct to the east of the perimeter at Colorado Street that the City will be focusing enforcement of the 72-hour parking law. SPD is assisting with notification and will be leading that enforcement effort as the Navigation Team focuses its outreach efforts on people living in tents in that area.

In general, the City has been focusing its efforts to address the homelessness crisis on working with individuals in tent encampments, especially the ones with the greatest public health and safety concerns for the individuals and the surrounding community. The Navigation Team has been finding success with many individuals, finding solutions that fit their needs and helping move them into safer living situations. Other City crews are addressing the trash related to encampments and illegal dumping in general around the city. In addition to these efforts, we will be assessing these low bridge structures around the city and will prioritize efforts to address immediate hazards.

Filed Under: Homelessness Tagged With: homeless, navigation team, Spokane Street, union gospel mission

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Response to the RV fire under the west end of the Spokane Street viaduct

April 6, 2017 by Homelessness Response

Early this morning, the Seattle Fire Department responded to an RV fire near East Marginal Way South and South Spokane Street. An RV caught fire when the owner attempted to start the vehicle and the fire spread to another RV. SFD extinguished the fire and there were no injuries. The Seattle Department of Transportation inspected the bridge and found no structural damage.

Last week, the City worked to remove a nearby tent encampment along the bike trail adjacent to the north end of where Spokane Street meets the West Seattle Bridge, as well as clean trash all along the Spokane Street corridor. Secondary to that effort, the City has been working on a plan to move the RVs and tents camping under the Spokane Street viaduct with the goal being no camping at all under the viaduct.

While closing the area to all camping will take a bit more time, we are now addressing the immediate hazard where the fire occurred early this morning.

The Navigation Team has been there all morning, doing individualized outreach and offering alternative shelter. For today, we are focusing on removing the two burned out RVs, which will first require moving other RVs and tents in that immediate vicinity to create a safe work zone. The Navigation Team is assisting with moving people a safe distance for that to occur.

Over the next 10 days, the area under the western end of the Spokane Street Viaduct will be cleared of all people and structures and a work zone perimeter will be established to allow SDOT and Seattle City Light to perform repair and maintenance unrelated to today’s fire. Outreach will continue up to that point to work with the individuals living there and find them alternative shelter.

We are beginning to assess the working condition of the RVs and other vehicles all along the Spokane Street as we work to close the area to all camping. Outreach will lead the engagement with any individuals living in tents or RVs.

In general, the City has been focusing its efforts to address the homelessness crisis on working with individuals in tent encampments, especially the ones with the greatest public health and safety concerns for the individuals and the surrounding community. The Navigation Team has been finding success with many individuals, finding solutions that fit their needs and helping move them into safer living situations. Other City crews are addressing the trash related to encampments and illegal dumping in general around the city. This work will continue.

Camping under low bridge structures presents a hazard for this essential infrastructure. In addition to other efforts to mitigate the impacts of the homelessness crisis, including working to move people into alternative shelter and cleaning trash, we will be assessing these low bridge structures around the city and will prioritize efforts to address immediate hazards.

Filed Under: Homelessness Tagged With: homeless, navigation team, Spokane Street

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Targeting trash along the I-5 corridor

March 29, 2017 by Homelessness Response

See more about the City’s overall increased efforts to address increased trash related to illegal dumping and camping throughout the city.

Over the last few weeks, the City of Seattle teamed up with WSDOT to begin a focused and intense cleanup of areas along the I-5 corridor through Seattle. The work began on March 16 around Northeast Ravenna Boulevard at Northeast 65th Street exits to the I-5 southbound and northbound ramps between Northeast 45th and Northeast 50th streets. Over March 25 and 26, work occurred along the I-5 express lanes, while the Dearborn Street on/off ramps and the Sixth Avenue and James Street exit were addressed in the weeks in between.

Tents can be seen up under the I-5 overpass at the 45th Street off-ramp. The City’s Navigation Team offered services and alternative shelter to campers living in these extremely dangerous locations. The area was cleaned up after all individuals moved.

While few people lived in these areas, likely due to the fast-moving traffic and steep hills, a great deal of trash and debris accumulated. In addition to the public health hazards associated with accumulating garbage, the City prioritized these locations because of safety concerns for the people camping there – for example, people were running across the lanes of traffic to access the locations and last year a homeless man lost his life when a drunk driver and ran over his tent along the side of the Northeast 45th Street on-ramp.

Prior to any trash collection, the City’s Navigation Team of specially trained SPD officers and outreach workers went out and contacted the handful of individuals who have camped along this route to offer services and alternative shelter. City staff also offered to store belongings for those on site during advance outreach and on the day of cleanup. Some people moved on before the cleanup began, and others accepted offers of alternative shelter, including one individual who accepted and was moved into one of the tiny houses at a sanctioned encampment.

Navigation Team members walk up to talk to people in tents while City, WSDOT and contracted crews prepare to remove trash along the I-5 express lanes.

This past weekend’s highly coordinated effort along the I-5 express lanes included WSDOT and crews from SDOT, Seattle Public Utilities, Parks and Finance and Administrative Services, as well as private contractors who specialize in handling hazardous material and are trained for accessing steep slopes and other dangerous terrain.

The same hillside along the I-5 express lanes as shown in the photo above, after the large amount of debris was removed.

Some of the areas were quite challenging to reach and crews were working under tight timelines. Given the concerns with high-speeds and narrow shoulders, WSDOT did not open the I-5 express lanes for the morning commute this weekend, which gave crews the flexibility to join forces, mobilize and tackle the large amount of debris along this stretch of the highway. The trash cleanup was completed with enough time left to allow WSDOT crews to address other maintenance needs while the lanes were closed, and the lanes were actually reopened to northbound traffic earlier than planned on Sunday.

Another area cleared of tents and debris.

Over the multi-day cleanup, crews collected trash and debris, including biohazards, needles and abandoned tents – removing 65 tons of garbage in total from all of the sites addressed.

Filed Under: Homelessness Tagged With: homeless, navigation team

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Addressing trash and tents under the Spokane Street Viaduct

March 25, 2017 by Homelessness Response

 

 

On March 23, a woman reported being confronted by a stranger at Spokane Street and East Marginal Way, as she rode her bicycle along the trail under the West Seattle Bridge. While the City was already scheduled to address trash in this area next week, in light of this unfortunate and potentially dangerous encounter, we are stepping up the response.

Seattle City Light was notified in December 2016 that the lights were out along the viaduct near the bike trail. City Light was able to determine that the issue wasn’t as simple as replacing bulbs, but is related to the power supply and requires a completely re-engineered system. Additionally, during an inspection on Tuesday this week, City Light crews discovered the copper wires for the lighting system had been removed from a ground vault. Design work has begun to replace the system, but City Light’s progress has been delayed due to the encampment that has been established there, which has prevented engineers from fully accessing the area to design the system.

Next week, the City will begin to address this by removing the tent encampment along the northern bike trail under the Spokane Street Viaduct, beginning on March 29. The City’s Navigation Team will be there on Monday to begin connecting with individuals living in tents, offering services, alternative shelter and storage of belongings. Following those efforts, City crews will remove any trash left behind from the encampment. This work will require bike detours, so bicyclists should be prepared to dismount and walk their bikes in some areas.

Also beginning March 29, as had been planned, City crews will remove garbage all along Spokane Street from I-5 to the West Seattle Bridge. Please be aware there may be impacts to traffic as a truck will be doing rolling stops along the route to collect the trash. This work is will continue Thursday, March 30.

 

While the tent encampment at the north side of Spokane Street adjacent to the bike trail will be removed next week, the City is still working on a plan with those living in the unauthorized encampment and RV parking area underneath Spokane Street. Trash around that RV lot will be removed.

 

Filed Under: Homelessness Tagged With: homeless, navigation team

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Royal Brougham encampment cleanup — the day after

March 8, 2017 by Homelessness Response

Due to public safety concerns and serious health hazards, on March 7, the City closed the Royal Brougham encampment. An estimated 37 encampment residents were on location when the City’s Navigation Team and other outreach workers arrived at 7 a.m. A total of eight organizations provided supportive services to the encampment residents, including:

  1. Healthcare for the Homeless
  2. Downtown Emergency Services Center (DESC) HOST & Crisis Solutions Team
  3. Evergreen Treatment Services REACH Program
  4. LEAD Program
  5. Seattle Union Gospel Mission – Outreach Team
  6. Salvation Army
  7. SPD – Navigation Team Unit
  8. Seattle Fire Department

A tent was set up, staffed with various care providers, including nurse, outreach workers, housing coordinators and case managers. In the tent, encampment residents had access to seating, water, hand warmers, hats, mittens, donuts, sandwiches and hot chocolate.

March 8, the day after: workers begin to clean up debris and garbage left behind after the Royal Brougham encampment closure.

While the scene at the site today is still very grim, all encampment residents received offers of services and many accepted referrals and offers. Below is a recap:

Individual Kind of Referral/
Supportive Service
By Organization Outcome Notes
Adult Male Mental Health SPD (Officer Newburn) & DESC DESC – Crisis Solutions Center was called out to assess client Evaluated and transported to Crisis Solutions Center
Adult Male SUD Salvation Army NW William Booth Center Intake Completed
Young Adult Couple (M&F) Housing UGM Transitionally Housed in Motel Working with MID to secure housing
8 Adults
(M & F)
Housing Assessments REACH Completed VISPDAT Are on waitlist for housing
1 Adults Mental Health DESC-HOST Evaluated for HOST Program. Outreach to follow.
3 Adult (Females) Housing REACH Referred to Hammond House
1 Adult Male Veteran Services REACH Connected with Vet. Case Manager. Will be working with REACH case manager
3 Adults
(1 Male, 2 Females)
Storage & Reconnect with Family Salvation Army Possessions transported and taken to storage. Pursuing reconnection with family and more permanent housing arrangements. Potentially with family.
1 Adult Male SUD REACH Referred to Seattle Indian Health Board
3 Adults Identification REACH 1 Completed the process 2 have appointments with REACH case manager for securing state ID
3 Adults Case Management REACH Reconnected with DESC-SAGE Case Manager Contact was made with case managers by REACH outreach staff for reconnecting clients.
3 Adults Family reconnection REACH Interested in bus tickets to return to be with family and supports They are going to get in touch with REACH to determine an exact date.
1 Adult Male Shelter REACH Tent purchased for individual Individual’s tent was damaged.
7 Adults Medical Healthcare for the Homeless 2 people’s feet warmed.
2 people’s hands warmed.
1 assisted with complaints of chest pain (refused to go to hospital).
1 connected with primary care physician and educated on glaucoma.
Healthcare for the homeless nurse provided medical services in addition to education and outreach. Schedules for Mobile Medical van were passed out.
5 Adults Relocation REACH Assisted in relocating to various new locations At new outdoor locations

Please note: Some individuals accessed services from multiple agencies.

In addition to services provided to the people, the Seattle Animal Shelter checked in with pet owners on site and reported all nine cats they saw appeared healthy, plump and well-cared for. They also provided supplies, including:

  • Provided temporary housing for a mother cat and two kittens while their owner transferred to a different location. Later in the day, shelter staff returned the cats to their owner and provided him with a carrier, two cat beds, spay/neuter certificates, 36 cans of cat food and a one-year cat license.
  • Provided the owner of a mother cat with five kittens a 16-lb. bag of food, 18 cans of cat food, two plush beds, spay/neuter certificates, six collars, six harnesses and two collapsible travel water bowls.

An encampment resident asked the City to store his grill. It was catalogued and will be stored for at least 60 days.

Finally, approximately 18 people accepted the City’s offer of storage of personal belongings and one person has already made an appointment to pick up his items today. Including unclaimed items left behind, a total of 55 storage bins of belongings and other large items like grills were delivered to the City’s storage facility yesterday. Belongings will be held for at least 60 days and can be recovered by calling 206-459-9949.

Filed Under: Homelessness Tagged With: homeless, navigation team, royal brougham, shelter, union gospel mission

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Perspectives from the Royal Brougham encampment

March 8, 2017 by seahomeless

A resident of the Royal Brougham encampment shares his thoughts about the site’s closure and how it might serve as an opportunity to transition his life. He also talks about working with the Navigation Team and it’s leader Sgt. Zer.

Filed Under: Homelessness Tagged With: homeless, navigation team, royal brougham

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The Navigation Team

February 20, 2017 by seahomeless

Navigation Team Feb 2017

The City of Seattle has launched the Navigation Team–a specially trained team comprised of outreach workers paired with Seattle Police Department (SPD) personnel, to connect unsheltered people to housing and critical resources, while helping address pervasive challenges around the issue of homelessness in Seattle.

The team has begun working with unsheltered people who have urgent and acute unmet needs, and will serve as the primary access point for people to be served by a forthcoming low-barrier Navigation Center.

 

Going over the day’s outreach plan – Feb 8 2017

The Navigation team is staffed by both outreach professionals from REACH and specially trained Seattle Police officers selected specifically for the unique role.

 

This team has advanced certification in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques that lend themselves to the daunting tasks of reaching those most in need. The purpose of the team’s approach is to bring more people inside and create faster resolutions to hazardous situations.

SPD Navigation Team members conducting outreach in severe terrain under I-5

 

They’ve begun working with unsheltered individuals who have urgent and acute unmet needs, including people who relocated from the I-5 East Duwamish Greenbelt and Mercer/Eastlake Corridors.

 

“The Navigation Team is working with people living with the most severe challenges, such as ongoing opiate addiction or mental health issues,” said Mayor Murray.

 

Nav Team meets with campers

“This population of people living unsheltered are too often found in dire circumstances, in unauthorized encampments where they are more vulnerable to serious criminal activity.

 

Our outreach must focus on these specific challenges to achieve the goal of moving people living unsheltered into stable, permanent housing and helping them get back on their feet.”

 

 

Nav Team members traversing trails under I-5

Check back here to meet the Navigation Team in future posts and find out what motivates them into helping others find a better life.

Filed Under: Homelessness Tagged With: homeless, navigation team

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