Bellevue homeless shelter survey shows community divide

Bellevue’s current effort to build a low-barrier men’s shelter shows just how divided the city is over the homeless problem.

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The city recently conducted a survey to gauge public opinion on the issue as it combats the homelessness crisis.

Of the near 1,000 people who participated, some said homeless shelters are dangerous and will invite drugs and crime. Others said fears over the shelter are unwarranted. One person said it’s not Bellevue’s job to deal with the problem. Another argues it’s their moral obligation to help the homeless.

Many argued a shelter will degrade home values. Then again, letting the homeless problem persist will also harm home values, others pointed out. One person suggested that city officials segregate the shelter by ethnicity, like in Singapore, to “reduce friction.”

If there is one consistent sentiment that officials are receiving: whatever is done to address the Bellevue homeless issue, just don’t let the city turn into Seattle.

Bellevue homeless shelter survey

Bellevue is currently in the process of modifying land use codes to potentially accommodate a homeless shelter. A low-barrier men’s shelter has been widely discussed. Part of that process has been community events and a public survey conducted in March.

Most Bellevue residents feel that access to year-round housing, food, and case management / mental health services are chief priorities. And most do not want any shelter located close to residential areas and schools. But the community’s divide is illustrated in a portion of the survey where individuals could weigh in with their own words.

The following are selections from the public feedback portion of the survey. Nearly 1,000 people responded.

• More focus on the City’s paying customers-the taxpayer. Let’s not turn into Seattle. If you can’t afford to live here then move somewhere else!
• NO to homeless shelter!!! no frigging way, I did not move here to live with sh****** bums, there are jobs out there but they don’t seem interested shelter will only make the situation worse, deport them to Seattle.
• I think it is about time we start to help the less fortunate in our neighborhood. We are so blessed but everyone deserves a safe and warm place to live and food to eat.
• I’m not sure about the idea of building a centralized homeless shelter. Has the city looked into City of Seattle’s terrible failure? How to avoid attracting homeless people from other areas to Bellevue?
• Please be aware that so many people do not want to see homeless people, and yet they are increasing in numbers. Some people just have to deal with their uncomfortable feelings, and allow the right thing to happen. The site in Eastgate makes so much sense.
• It is not the business of the City of Bellevue to provide homeless shelters or, for that matter, housing services to anyone. I moved to Bellevue to avoid this kind of Seattle-type nonsense. If I wanted the property crime and drug use that homeless shelters bring I would move back to Seattle. Please stop ruining our city with your naive ideas.
• Have lived ‘next door’ to low barrier shelters at St. Peters Methodist Church for many years – have not had any issues due to shelter.
• I don’t understand why Bellevue has been a target city for a homeless shelter. This is the last place I would choose … If the clients cannot be in the shelter during the day, are they just going to walk around residential neighborhoods? Why couldn’t his be put in Seattle, Federal Way, Renton, Kent? Why an affluent community?
• What are you personally going to do when a student gets raped or murdered by a sex offender user of your facility?
• They don’t want them, we don’t want them. Quit stealing from hard-working families to give to a bunch of druggies and alcoholics.
• Do not place a no/low barrier shelter anywhere in Bellevue. With the amount of taxes that citizens pay, they should not have this imposed on them.
• Plan for mix use shelters that house men, women and families. Also plan for tiny home villages and tent cities as shelters. Look at capping shelter capacity around 50 clients. There are social dynamics that have negative effects when larger groups are together in limited space.

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