#SeaHomeless is a joint effort with several media outlets spotlighting homelessness
Structural inequities compounded by decades of disinvestment by the federal government have resulted in a crisis on the streets of Seattle and so many cities along the West Coast. Our friends, family and neighbors who were secure one moment find themselves struggling to get by in the next. Those facing severe mental and physical health problems do so in the richest country in the world that manages to spend twice as much as its peer countries and provide less care.
Things feel stuck, and it seems that frustration is growing.
People have questions. Real Change, along with six other partner organizations, hope to provide some answers.
On July 19, Real Change alongside The Evergrey, Geekwire, Crosscut, Seattlepi, Patch, ParentMap and KUOW will ask you, our readers, for your input. We want to hear the questions you have always wanted to ask about homelessness and the people who experience it.
Using a tool called Hearken, we will gather up the submissions and put the top three to a vote. When the final question is selected, our reporting staff will get to work finding the people and data to give you an answer.
Between the seven partner organizations, we hope to produce seven original pieces responding directly to the needs of our community.
So get cracking! Click here to send us your questions. You have until July 23 at noon to submit them.
UPDATE: We've narrowed down your #SeaHomeless questions. Now we need you to decide which one we'll write a story on. Click here to vote. You have until noon on Monday July 30 to submit your choice.
Big thanks to our partners — The Evergrey, GeekWire, Crosscut, Seattlepi, Patch, ParentMap and KUOW for working with us on this project; to Crosscut for coordinating #SeaHomeless Day on July 19; to Hearken for letting us use their tool for this collaborative local project; and to all of you for thinking and caring about your city.
Ashley Archibald is a Staff Reporter covering local government, policy and equity. Have a story idea? She can be can reached at ashleya (at) realchangenews (dot) org. Follow Ashley on Twitter @AshleyA_RC
Check out the full July 18 - July 24 issue.
Real Change is a non-profit organization advocating for economic, social and racial justice. Since 1994 our award-winning weekly newspaper has provided an immediate employment opportunity for people who are homeless and low income. Learn more about Real Change.