‘We’ve been doing nothing for years’: Gee blames ‘broken system’ after Wilson delays Ballard sweep
Jan 16, 2026, 8:30 AM | Updated: 8:58 am
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson postponed the planned removal of a homeless encampment in Ballard after visiting the site. In a statement on Wednesday, she said more time was needed to evaluate the city’s approach.
Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin, co-hosts of “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio, raised concerns about the city — under Wilson or any past mayor — continuing to delay action on homelessness. Gee pointed to a system that has been broken for decades.
“The homelessness crisis that we are currently in was a crisis before Katie Wilson, and will be a crisis after Katie Wilson. It is a reminder that our system is broken,” Gee said. “The reason why a lot of us blame the individual who is homeless is that it would make us look away from the policies that have not been set in the past. The safety net has not been set in the past.
“In the ’80s, major social programs were cut, mental health, affordable housing, support, long-term care systems, all of those things were cut,” he continued. “This is why I’m always talking about the past, because now, today, we are faced with those things decades later. What we need to do is fix a broken system.”
The Ballard encampment, located near NW 41st Street and the Burke‑Gilman Trail, is home to roughly 17 people living in about 10 tents and makeshift shelters. Wilson said she extended the deadline for clearing the encampment so her administration can further assess whether the city can “improve outcomes for the people living there, for their neighbors, and for local businesses.”
“It makes people concerned. If that’s my business or my home right next to that encampment, and you’re seeing everything that’s going on there, worrying for your own safety, I understand why people would be hacked off,” Ursula said.
“You should be concerned. We have been doing nothing for years. How long have we been talking about places for them to go? Since the beginning of our show?” Gee responded.
Watch the full discussion in the video above.
Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.
