This afternoon the Human Services and Public Health Committee received the second part of a briefing on the city’s overall response to the homelessness crisis. Part 1 was focused on the immediate, emergency response; today’s presentation was about the long-term investments being made.
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Council gets briefed on The Jungle: we’re going to need a bigger table
This morning the City Council got a briefing on the recent assessment of the East Duwamish Greenbelt homeless encampment, better known as “The Jungle.” You can read the assessment team’s written report here, or my summary here. The factual part of this morning’s briefing didn’t relay much information beyond what was in the report, instead the council members were eager to discuss an appropriate response.
Continue readingThe Jungle
Many of us heard about the Seattle homeless encampment known as “The Jungle” for the first time late last month when a double homicide occurred there. That same night, Mayor Ed Murray, King County Executive Dow Constantine, and Governor Jay Inslee agreed to a joint assessment of the site to gather data on the conditions there and the risks and hazards posed by its ongoing presence. That report is now in, and the City Council will be briefed on it tomorrow morning. And it’s far, far worse than you imagined.
Continue readingThis week in Council chambers: Sawant in the spotlight
With the Presidents’ Day holiday on Monday, things are a bit shifted this week. But there are still several interesting things afoot in Council chambers – several involving Council member Kshama Sawant.
Continue readingNews roundup: homeless response
Yesterday’s City Council meeting on the emergency homeless response, and the wide conversations in the community, are dominating the news this morning.
Continue readingThe city’s homeless response: confusion reigns
All nine City Council members showed up this afternoon for a presentation on the emergency response to the homelessness crisis, but clarity wasn’t in great supply.
Continue readingNews roundup: homelessness
In the run-up to this afternoon’s meeting, the city’s response to the homelessness crisis is dominating the news this morning. Plus a few other tidbits.
Continue readingThree Big Questions on the Homeless Response
After the last couple of weeks, we have a lot more information about the city’s (and its partners’) response to the homelessness crisis in Seattle. But many questions remain, and when Council member Sally Bagshaw convenes her meeting on Wednesday with the stakeholders, I humbly suggest these three big questions should be the focus of the conversation.
Continue readingThis week: committee work
Things are getting busier in Council chambers, especially in committee.
Continue readingHey Seattle, Your Leadership Vacuum is Showing
This morning, Council member Sally Bagshaw hosted a roundtable discussion of the response to the homelessness crisis. It featured an impressive array of resources and enthusiasm, but a lack of executive leadership to get all the efforts aligned.
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