‘Something has to change’ with Seattle’s approach to homelessness

The City of Seattle needs to change how it deals with combating homelessness, according to one city council member.

Seattle City Council member John Okamoto says there needs to be a focus on prevention, not just shelters.

Okamoto, citing Mayor Ed Murray’s Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda Committee, wrote an op-ed in The Seattle Times that says the committee recommends increasing the levy originally approved in 1981. That money would be used to support people struggling with homelessness.

The $145 million levy was approved again in 2009. It funds affordable housing development, rental assistance to prevent homelessness and supporting first-time home buyers. The levy expires in 2016.

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Okamoto says if the city wants to end homelessness, it has to change how it invests. He will request $1.5 million in homeless diversion services, he wrote in the Times. That would be added to the $300,000 Murray included in his 2016 draft budget.

In order to reduce Seattle’s homeless population, Okamoto says the city needs to focus on prevention and diversion services. Currently, it is putting its resources into shelters. Though shelters might be necessary, it’s a short-term fix, according to Okamoto.

The change in tune follows the decision by the county’s homeless committee to change its name and focus. The Committee to End Homelessness &#8212 now All Home &#8212 is no longer trying to completely end homelessness in the area. The decision was made following the information from the January One Night Count that showed the homeless population increased by about 2,000 people over about 10 years.

Like Okamoto suggests, All Home is now focused on prevention; it is still trying to end homelessness, but for more specific groups. The coalition will implement a housing first philosophy.