JASON RANTZ

YIMBY says part of homeless problem could lie with building regulations

Apr 21, 2016, 2:04 PM | Updated: 10:26 pm

Homeless ordinance...

City officials in Seattle say they will no longer use state corrections crews for homeless encampment cleanups after the city’s Human Rights Commission raised concerns over the use of prison labor. (AP)

(AP)

A Seattle YIMBY says at least part of the city’s homeless problem may stem from zoning regulations.

Laura Anderle Bernstein told KIRO Radio’s Jason Rantz that she would like to see more multi-family housing in what has been, traditionally, single-family housing neighborhoods.

Related: Washington state senator says homeless approach has ‘completely failed’

She says there’s a missing “middle” ground that could be pushing people into the streets.

YIMBYs, or “yes in my backyard,” is a movement of people opposed to the opposite idea of NIMBYs (not in my back yard). But neither Rantz nor Bernstein like how “NIMBY” has been used. Rantz says it’s a term used to bully people who want to help, but have different ideas than Twitter activists. Bernstein says she doesn’t use the antagonistic word because it stifles conversations.

The YIMBY movement will hold its first national conference in June in Colorado.

Bernstein says the YIMBY response encourages people to consider homeless people as their neighbors, instead of a problem.

Rantz pointed out that there are a lot of people who don’t want to live near illegal encampments or RVs.

“Anyone could find themselves in this situation,” Bernstein told Rantz. The movement, she added, is about treating people with respect, whether they have a home or not.

The YIMBY response is yet another voice competing for attention in the ongoing homeless debate. It’s an issue that hits particularly close to home for Seattle residents who have seen homeless numbers consistently rise. The most recent count of Seattle’s homeless population puts the number around 4,500 people; that’s about 700 more than the previous count.

State Senator Mark Miloscia confronted city officials Wednesday night, asking if the millions of dollars being spent on homeless programs is being spent wisely.

“Why are you doing so bad?” he asked. “You’ve got some of the brightest, smartest people here. You need to do better.”

Miloscia says too much is being done to encourage people to stay on the street instead of motivating them to get long-term help.

Seattle officials countered saying the city’s efforts are making a difference – from adding encampments to increasing shelter beds.

Jason Rantz on AM 770 KTTH
  • listen to jason rantzTune in to AM 770 KTTH weekdays at 3-7pm toThe Jason Rantz Show.

Jason Rantz Show

Jason Rantz

Image: The Stevens County Sheriff's Office says it recently received an odd call from a Sasquatch h...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: Sheriff’s office asked legality of hunting Sasquatch in Stevens County

A Sasquatch hunter had an interesting question for the Stevens County sheriff. Is it legal to hunt Sasquatch?

11 hours ago

Image: Children bike past Wilson Elementary in Spokane....

Jason Rantz

Rantz: ‘Racist’ Spokane elementary school’s ‘slaves and hobos’ ignites controversy

After a teacher told students they could dress as "slaves and hobos" for an event, the Spokane NAACP cried foul.

1 day ago

Images: At left, Bellevue Police Department Officer Kevin Bereta is seen in his uniform. At right, ...

Julia Dallas

Bellevue officer injured in VP Harris motorcade recalls road to reclaiming benefits

Bellevue Police Officer Kevin Bereta's life changed while he was on VP Kamala Harris' service detail during her visit to Washington.

2 days ago

permanent supportive housing...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: You’re being lied to about permanent supportive housing in Redmond

Redmond residents rightly push back against permanent supportive housing as a solution for the homeless, as Seattle media get in the way.

3 days ago

WA State Attorney General Bob Ferguson campaigning.  (Photo by Karen Ducey/Getty Images)...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: On crime, Bob Ferguson campaign made its first massive blunder

The Bob Ferguson campaign wants you thinking his top priority is crime. His entire political history says otherwise.

4 days ago

Image: Jason Rantz of AM 770 KTTH is defending his honor against a partisan smear by The Stranger w...

Jason Rantz

Jason Rantz defends his honor against partisan smear by The Stranger

Charles Mudede smeared Jason Rantz in a blog post for the Stranger. It prompted a response from Rantz, who had to defend his own honor.

6 days ago

YIMBY says part of homeless problem could lie with building regulations