RV safe lot bigger disaster than previously thought

Despite the big push for the RV safe lots by Mayor Ed Murray’s office, we have further evidence to suggest the idea is an even bigger disaster than previously thought.

KIRO 7 reports that only one person has been placed in permanent housing after camping their RV in one of the safe lots. This is rather remarkable.

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“We’re continuing to work on what our best response is for people who are living in their vehicles,” said Sola Plumacher, of Seattle’s Human Services department. “It takes a long time to move folks into housing.”

Homelessness is undeniably a complex issue and the City of Seattle won’t make a dent in the problem alone. But does it really take this long to move people into permanent housing? If so, why was the RV lot proposed as a short-term solution to getting people into housing if they’re incapable of helping more than one person over a several-month period of time?

Plumacher told KIRO 7 that the City is seeing a lot of individuals “competing for the resources.” But I’m not sure that’s a fair assessment. The Ballard RV lot, for example, only has space for 20 RVs. You’ve only served one person? If the resources you have are so small, why sell RV safe lots as a short term fix to get people into permanent housing?

Oh, and they’re not so safe, either. KIRO 7 has confirmed two RVs were asked to leave the safe lot because of reported drug activity.

Last month, we learned the City seemed shocked at how expensive the lots are. Now, they almost seemed shocked at how ineffective they are at finding permanent housing. Is anyone in the Mayor’s office vetting these plans before unveiling them?

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