MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Seattle mayor sends emergency order for 3 homeless camps

Jan 17, 2017, 2:24 PM | Updated: 5:45 pm

homeless camps, YMCA, homelessness crisis, homelessness, Bellevue stabbing...

According to the Seattle Times, Seattle's homelessness crisis is one of the worst in the country. (KIRO 7)

(KIRO 7)

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray sent an emergency order to the city council Tuesday authorizing three new homeless camps in the city.

The three new encampments were first announced in December. The “emergency order” is mostly procedural, officially informing the council that the mayor plans to take action on an emergency — in this case, the local homeless crisis.

Related: Seattle plans to open three new homeless tent encampments

The three homeless camps will be located at:

• 1000 South Myrtle Street — up to 50 tiny homes, serving 60-70 people. To open in February.
• 9701 Myers Way South — up to 50 tent sites, serving 60-70 people. To open in February.
• 8620 Nesbit Avenue North — up to 50 tiny homes, serving 60-70 people. To open in March.

The homeless camps will be able to accommodate up to 210 people. They are a combination of tent sites and tiny homes. Seattle is funding case managers at each encampment. Those managers will further find placement for campers at stable housing. They will also refer campers to legal, medical, mental health, and substance use treatment services.

The homeless camps will have regularly scheduled garbage pickup. Seattle Public Utilities will also conduct garbage pick up in nearby rights of way. SPU also has a program to pick up needles within 24 hours of notification.

The camps will be permitted for one year. There will be an option to renew the homeless camps for an additional year after the initial permit expires.

The mayor’s office reports that the city has been meeting with residents located near the three new camps. There are additional meetings for community members about the camps on Jan. 23 at the Georgetown Community Council Meeting. Also, Feb. 1 at the Myers Way Community Council Meeting.

Homeless camps for now

Officially, the city’s authorized homeless camps are a temporary fix to remedy the local homeless crisis that has lingered for years. It is estimated that more than 2,000 people are unsheltered in Seattle on any given night.

The mayor’s long-term solution is called “Pathways Home.” It involves expanding 24-hour shelter services and re-focusing the city’s homeless solutions to an individual-based approach. The program is expected to take a couple years to set up.

In the meantime, however, the city has implemented a “bridging the gap” program, which includes the homeless camps, such as the recently authorized tent encampments.

MyNorthwest News

Image: Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks at a press conference about hospitals in the state providi...

Tom Brock

Gov. Inslee activates National Guard to prevent election-related unrest

Washington Governor Jay Inslee activated some Washington National Guard members Friday, asking them to be on stand-by.

17 hours ago

Gov. Jay Inslee has approved what will likely become Washington state's largest wind turbine farm s...

Tom Brock

Gov. Inslee approves huge wind turbine farm south of the Tri-Cities

Washington Governor Jay Inslee has approved what will likely be the biggest wind farm in the state that would be built along 24 miles of the Horse Heaven Hills, just south of Kennewick.

17 hours ago

Image: Riaz Khan, a former Mukilteo City Councilmember, is running for the Washington State House o...

Steve Coogan

Mukilteo police seek info on reported assault of candidate installing campaign signs

The Mukilteo Police Department is seeking information regarding an alleged assault of a political candidate installing signs last weekend.

22 hours ago

The North Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL ...

Matt Markovich

Washington emerges as key campaign fundraising hub for 2024 presidential race

Presidential candidates often turn to Washington state as a reliable source for campaign fundraising. This was true again in 2024.

1 day ago

An example of a French quiz given at Roosevelt High School. (Photo provided by student's family)...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: Seattle high school teacher apologizes for anti-Trump quiz

A Seattle high school teacher labeled Donald Trump as a "liar" and "crazy" on a quiz. She has since apologized, parents reported.

2 days ago

Lake Stevens rescue...

Bill Kaczaraba

Snohomish County authorities rescue man from submerged car

A man in his 70s was rescued by Snohomish County authorities Friday from a car that had been submerged in Lake Stephens.

2 days ago

Seattle mayor sends emergency order for 3 homeless camps