MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Seattle to cut off funding for controversial tiny home village

Oct 30, 2019, 11:18 AM | Updated: Dec 6, 2019, 7:20 am

Tiny home village, Northlake...

Tiny home houses in Seattle. (KIRO Radio file photo)

(KIRO Radio file photo)

Back in April, the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) and Nickelsville split up over the management of a collection of tiny home villages across Seattle. Now, the City of Seattle has officially announced that it will cut off all funding for Nickelsville’s Northlake village after the end of the year.

LIHI, Nickelsville split up over Seattle homeless camp management

LIHI and Nickelsville have been embroiled in a feud over management of tiny home villages for months, with the latter going as far as to padlock its gates in Northlake, back when LIHI announced it would be ending its five-year relationship between the two groups.

Northlake’s gates have been locked ever since, with the village barring LIHI from entering entirely (with the exception of caseworkers).

Officials with Seattle’s Human Services Department cite that conflict as the primary reason behind its decision to end funding for Northlake.

“LIHI has not been able to operate the village as specified in their contract throughout 2019 due to ongoing interference in camp operations and client services from its former subcontractor, Nickelsville, which has prevented LIHI staff from effectively engaging residents of the village,” HSD said in a Tuesday news release.

Homeless shelter opened in unused King County jail

On Dec. 31, the property Northlake’s village sits on will be returned to Seattle City Light. HSD has stated it is “working closely with LIHI” to find other housing options for its soon-to-be-displaced residents.

Over the last few years, LIHI has partnered with Nickelsville to run Northlake, as well as tiny home villages in Othello and Georgetown. LIHI announced a new partner for the Othello village in September, while Georgetown is currently looking for a church sponsor.

MyNorthwest News

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

11 minutes ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

2 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

2 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

3 hours ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

6 hours ago

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone and Bill Kaczaraba

‘Kia Boyz’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

7 hours ago

Seattle to cut off funding for controversial tiny home village