Broken Down at the First Ave Bridge in Seattle

The view from high above the First Avenue Bridge is breathtaking, with downtown Seattle on the horizon. But as you get closer to the ground, it looks like a third world country below. Surrounded by fencing and barbed wire, this plot of land is arguably one of the most problematic homeless encampments in the city near the corner of 2nd Avenue and Michigan Street, a couple miles from the downtown core. Authorities have responded to this area for multiple shootings, deaths, and on-going neighbor complaints about what’s being called a “chop shop” of stolen vehicles hidden in plain sight.

For ongoing coverage of the homelessness crisis in cities across America, and how to truly help, visit fixhomelessness.org.