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| Timothy Harris, Executive Director |
Since Real Change published Adam Hyla’s groundbreaking story on the Mayor’s secret campsite clearance policy at the end of October, much has happened, but little progress has been made toward a more compassionate response to homeless campers.
Last year’s Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness One Night Count found 1,600 people in the Seattle area alone who were surviving outdoors because the shelters were full. While this has been typical of recent years, Seattle city government has drawn a hard line against expanding available shelter. The fact that housing creation goals outlined in the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness are not being met have had no effect on this policy.
In May of this year, the Mayor’s Office initiated an irresponsible and callous practice of monthly proactive campsite clearances that targeted at least 10 known sites. Homeless advocates, and even Seattle’s City Council, were not informed. Since the story broke, the official response has been one of denial and obfuscation.
Last Monday, after much delay, the Mayor’s office finally briefed the City Council. While the Council admirably performed their role in calling for accountability, the briefing was a disgusting display of arrogance, victim-blaming, half-truth, and outright lies.
In the last two weeks, more than 1,100 people have signed Real Change’s petition to halt the clearances, develop resources that are adequate to the need, and create a humane policy that is informed through dialogue with advocates. You may add your name by clicking on the Take Action link.
We cannot allow the mayor to use our Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness as cover for a mean-spirited policy of repression and harassment. Demand accountability now. |
