Homeless

Government

King County gets new, five-year plan to address homelessness

It took some revising but King County’s Regional Homelessness Authority has a new, five year plan. The Authority’s Governing Committee unanimously approved the plan on Thursday after months of public input.

Government

Burien animal shelter will clear tent encampment after City Council fails to reach agreement

After the Burien City Council could not come to an agreement about where to direct people living in an undeveloped park, the camp will be cleared by a group that leased the site and has plans to turn it into a dog park.

Bellevue struggles to open safe parking lot for people living in cars

The City of Bellevue wants to open a parking lot for people experiencing homelessness who live in vehicles. The city has the land and the funding, but can’t find a service provider to run the site.

Bellevue's safe parking challenges highlight its homelessness crisis

Week in Review: drug law, election issues, and A.I.

Bill Radke discusses the week’s news with Axios Melissa Santos, Seattle Times Jonathan Martin, and KUOW’s Dyer Oxley.

Head of King County Regional Homelessness Authority steps down

Crime

Homeless man charged with derailing Tacoma oil train

Pierce County prosecutors have charged a 65-year-old homeless man with derailing an oil train as it approached the Port of Tacoma.

Government

Spokane is closing Camp Hope, but for many the trauma of homelessness continues

Camp Hope, a large homelessness encampment in Spokane, has become a battleground between city, county, and state officials. It’s also brought a lot of attention and scrutiny toward Spokane’s homelessness policies. Local officials want camp residents moved elsewhere, citing concerns with community safety and drug use. Both sides agree residents should be moved elsewhere — but just where, and when, has remained an open question.

Seattle's first affordable housing high-rise tower in 50 years welcomes its first residents

This week, people who used to live outside began moving into a new building on First Hill. It’s the first new affordable housing high-rise tower Seattle has seen in 50 years. It represents a different approach — in terms of scale and strategy — for addressing homelessness in the region.