MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Seattle to open 3 new homeless encampment sites

Dec 2, 2016, 5:20 AM | Updated: 9:50 am

tiny house villages, warrants, Seattle homeless encampments, salt lake...

A man walks past a city-sanctioned homeless encampment of micro-homes and tents in front of apartments and condos in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

The City of Seattle announced Thursday it will open three new city-approved homeless encampments that will host up to 210 people.

City council member Debora Juarez says the camps will allow officials to focus on long-term changes, while addressing immediate needs.

Related: Seahawks kicker will defend Ping-Pong kicker to help homeless

“At a time when over 2,000 people are unsheltered in the city, now is the time to show compassion and determination to find stable solutions,” she said.

Three new homeless encampments

The three homeless camps will be located at the following addresses:

• 1000 South Myrtle Street — will have up to 50 tiny homes, serving 60-70 people
• 8620 Nesbit Avenue North — will have up to 50 tiny homes, serving 60-70 people
• 9701 Myers Way South — will have up to 50 tent sites, serving 60-70 people

The three new camps are slated to open in early 2017. In October, Mayor Ed Murray announced that the city would be opening a total of four new encampments. The idea is that the city did not want to displace homeless campers if there was not a suitable, safe location to refer them to. The camps are supposed to be such a place to refer people.

“Today’s announcement recognizes our need to provide safe alternatives to the people living unsheltered on our streets as we work to implement Pathways Home,” said Seattle Director of Human Services Catherine Lester.

Related: Mayor Murray announces plan for four new homeless encampments

Pathways Home is a long-term program that Mayor Murray has been putting together. It is aimed at solving homelessness on a case-by-case basis. But that program is expected to take months to start up. In the meantime, Seattle has started the Bridging the Gap program, which the new sanctioned homeless encampments are part of.

Seattle already has three approved homeless encampments in Rainier Valley, Interbay and Ballard.

MyNorthwest News

Photo: On Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced there will be 16 new preschool classrooms across Se...

Julia Dallas

Harrell’s office announces Seattle preschool slots for thousands of kids

Thousands more families will have the chance to start their children's Seattle preschool education earlier, thanks to a program launching.

9 hours ago

Digital...

Micki Gamez

How parents can help prevent children from falling victim to online sex crimes

Chances are, if your teen has a cell phone or tablet, they either know someone or they have been the victim of an online sex crime because kids as young as seven are online more than ever. My interest in this story began almost the same time last year when my daughter came home and […]

13 hours ago

Pierce County Jail...

Bill Kaczaraba

Pierce County Corrections chief at odds with the employee guild

The Corrections Bureau's Guild has issued Patti Jackson a vote of 'no confidence,' as reported by The Tacoma News Tribune.

14 hours ago

Image: A Seattle Police Department vehicle seen during the day...

Sam Campbell

Security guard stabbed, suspect barricades inside Beacon Hill apartment

SWAT officers surrounded a complex in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood after police said a man stabbed a guard barricaded himself inside.

16 hours ago

seattle indecent exposure...

Frank Sumrall

Seattle man arrested for 14 counts of indecent exposure, most near schools

A 34-year-old man was arrested by Seattle police (SPD) in connection to 14 counts of indecent exposure near Lake Forest Park.

16 hours ago

Federal Way shootings...

Bill Kaczaraba

Federal Way Police say two shootings are related

Police believe two shootings in Federal Way are related.

18 hours ago

Seattle to open 3 new homeless encampment sites