Homeless encampment on ‘The Ave’ to move, residents say
Oct 9, 2014, 11:42 AM | Updated: 12:32 pm
Roughly 15 to 20 people, including young children, have been camping on a busy sidewalk in front of the U.S. Post Office at 4244 University Way NE since mid-September, after residents claim to have been kicked out of Cowen Park. (Photo: Brandi Kruse/KIRO Radio)
(Photo: Brandi Kruse/KIRO Radio)
Residents of an unauthorized homeless encampment in Seattle’s University District hope to be in a new home by the end of the week.
Anywhere from 15 to 20 people have been camping on a busy sidewalk in front of the U.S. Post Office at Northeast 43rd Street and University Way since mid-September, drawing complaints from community members and business owners who have urged Seattle police to force the encampment to move elsewhere.
A spokesperson for the camp told KIRO Radio Thursday morning that two neighborhood churches have now offered up space and services until a more permanent solution is available.
One of the churches, University Temple United Methodist Church, said it is not able to house the residents because it doesn’t have a parking lot, but said it will assist the camp in moving to “another church that’s right nearby.”
Stephen Crow, a homeless construction worker who has been living at the encampment, said University Congregational Church will be providing them space to set up tents. The church could not immediately be reached for comment.
“We want to be out of here,” said Crow. “This is not the ideal place for this, this is not the ideal situation for any of us. We’re working hard, we see a solution coming soon. I don’t expect us to be here next week.”
Crow said the camp was set up after residents were kicked out of Cowen Park last month.
“Residents feel unsafe and unsettled by it,” said Susan Schulze, a concerned citizen who wants the encampment taken down. “I cross the street. I don’t want to be around it.”
Schulze said she filed a complaint with the King County Department of Health after witnessing residents of the encampment cooking food on an open flame. She also sent a letter to City Attorney Pete Holmes, urging him to help shut down the camp.
“I do think there’s a larger issue and a larger (homelessness) problem,” she said. “However, I don’t think that the public should be subjected to feeling unsafe and unsettled while this issues is being resolved. There are facilities they could go to and should be asked to go to, I think.”
Detective Drew Fowler, a Seattle police spokesperson, told KIRO Radio that the department has been working to find an amicable solution.
“There are times when we will take immediate action for illegal encampments, then there are times when we are seeking a more permanent solution,” he said. “This is one of those times.”
Fowler said there has been no indication that the encampment is a significant safety risk. He said Seattle police officers and representatives from Child Protective Services checked on children living in the camp and determined they were being well cared for.
