Students at Summit Sierra High School in Seattle are surrounded by a gauntlet of drug dealers, addicts, an open air black market, and dangerous homeless encampments. Yet state, county, and city leaders are allowing this to flourish with no timeline on solutions. Parents are livid, teachers aren't sure what to do, and some say this culture is now being normalized. This is a public safety failure. Read More ›
The national policy of “Housing First” has been a disappointing failure at reducing homelessness overall. Housing should be only one part of a solution that includes treatment of mental illness and drug addiction. Read More ›
Surrounded by vast farmland and enjoying majestic sunsets, Spokane is the largest city in Eastern Washington. It’s home to Gonzaga University, an abundance of outdoor activities, and the population is booming — including at a place called, “Camp Hope.” Read More ›
Fifty-one years ago I bicycled from Boston to Oregon. I was a Marxist then and looking for evidence of the American empire falling apart, but during the whole ten weeks on the road I didn’t see the one tourist attraction that would have delighted my propagandistic self: homeless encampments. Now every city seems to have them. Read More ›
For months now, Jonathan Choe has been tracking and looking into multiple homeless encampments across Seattle and King County. Another segment of the homeless community are creating a crisis in the woods, preferring to stay hidden in these lush havens. Read More ›
The Washington legislature is one step closer to legalizing homeless encampments statewide. Last week, Democratic lawmakers passed through committee legislation, introduced by Representative Mia Gregerson, that would usurp the authority of city governments and legalize camping in all “plazas, courtyards, parking lots, sidewalks, public transportation facilities, public buildings, shopping centers, parks, [and] natural and wildlife areas” throughout the state. Read More ›
