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Homeless children in Seattle: What's the City doing?

Started 7 months ago by DBP
Latest reply from miws

DBP
Member Profile

Attention Nickelsville fans!

Several months ago we had a lively discussion about families with children at Nickelsville. As you may remember, I'm NOT in favor of kids being there; however, many folks here assured me that there were no other options for these families. I disagreed with that but decided to find out for myself just what the City WAS doing about the problem.

On September 6, I sent a facsimile of the message below to all members of the Seattle City Council. In a subsequent post I'll fill you in on the responses I got.

Subject: Nickelsville Kudo & Concern

Dear Council Member _______________:

First off, a big thanks to you and the Seattle City Council for your hard work on behalf of Seattle's citizens, especially the less fortunate ones. I was at the "Nickelsville" encampment this past July when four Council members visited and was pleased by their willingness to formalize Nickelsville's status and to help the camp get some essential services there. Good for you!

As a long-time resident of the Highland Park area, I am happy to welcome Nickelsville to our neighborhood. However, I still have a big concern, and that's the presence of families with small children living at the camp. While Nickelsville is a good alternative to the street for homeless adults, it is NOT a good place for children – for obvious reasons. It's also not a good thing for the City. Please consider that if something happened to a child at Nickelsville, the City would probably have a lawsuit on its hands. At the very least, you would have some serious explaining to do to the State authorities.

As you know, there have been young children at Nickelsville from time to time over the summer. When I looked into this, people at the camp told me they couldn't turn families with children away, since there are not enough spaces at local shelters that take children. They told me that in every case they had tried to find other accommodations for the families but that they were consistently put on hold, told to call back, and so on.

That is not acceptable. Seattle needs to do better than that.

If we can find a home for multi-million dollar sports franchises . . .

If we can find a home for fancy museums and symphony halls . . .

—then, by God, we ought to be able to find a safe place for all of our children to stay.

Please get back to me and tell me what you personally are doing to resolve this problem. Also, please be aware that I will be sharing the text of this e-mail and your response (or lack of response) with my fellow West Seattle-ites via the West Seattle Blog.

Thanks in advance for getting back to me, and thanks again for supporting Nickelsville.

Sincerely,

David Preston

Posted 7 months ago #
kootchman
Member Profile

Take 8 million away from 4Arts....

Posted 7 months ago #
KBear
Member Profile

That's a great idea, Kootch. Why have you been keeping it from us? Hey, I've got a better one: We could just tax homeless kids to pay for all the services they so greedily consume. Then the 4Culture budget could be put to something useful, like removing bike lanes or buying snowplows.

Posted 7 months ago #
Jiggers
Member Profile

nt

Posted 7 months ago #
kootchman
Member Profile

Priorities. First we stop human suffering, we feed, clothe and shelter and educate. When we do THAT... talk to me about the rest of the social niceties. .

Posted 7 months ago #
JoB
Member Profile

kootchman...

the quickest way to prevent human suffering is to give humans the means to provide for themselves...

you know.. that "silly" living wage concept

to accomplish that you need to support another "silly" concept ... Unions...
that's how the average American achieved our current standard of living

and that educate part..
that requires supporting our public schools.

Work to provide jobs for those who are unemployed
and opportunities through education for their children
and we can talk about those "other social niceties"

which in this case might start with medical care for those who are injured and/or chronically ill so they have the opportunity to return to work...

I have personally interacted with the families in Nickelsville
and for the most part,
they would rather have the opportunity to support their children
than stand in line for charity.

wouldn't you?

Posted 7 months ago #
Jiggers
Member Profile

JoB.. There's a lot of people and I mean a lot of people who who are against what you say and would rather see that segment of society continue to fail to help themselves feel better.

Posted 7 months ago #
Jiggers
Member Profile

JoB.. There's a lot of people and I mean a lot of people who who are against what you say and would rather see that segment of society continue to fail in order to help themselves feel better.

Posted 7 months ago #
JoB
Member Profile

jiggers...

the saddest thing is that some of those people now live in Nickelsville and other places like Nickelsville where they continue the winner takes all the end justifies the means i get mine first attitudes that landed them there in the first place.

Posted 7 months ago #
DBP
Member Profile

Here is Ms. Bagshaw's response:

David:

I appreciate your concern and appreciate your raising these questions. You know that I support Nickelsville as a much preferred place for individuals and families to live than to be alone on the city streets. I have worked with Nickelsville since my days in the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and believe the people who live in Nickelsville and those who help support and organize it are providing an important service for our city.

We simply MUST do better, and I agree with you that we can – as a community – create some new options.

Your concern about having young children at Nickelsville is understandable. When I talk about shelters, I remind people about the needs of families, those with children, those with pets, and the list goes on. We have many needs and those are on my radar.

I ask these questions when we are discussing shelters and I will continue to advocate for more space: different kinds of space.

David, I agree with you. We need to do better and I will continue to work so we achieve that.

Thank you again.

-Sally

Posted 7 months ago #
funkietoo
Member Profile

Can certainly appreciate Sally's reply.

The issue I have is Sally does not discuss how to do better! Come City Council...let's get moving with solutions!

Posted 7 months ago #
DBP
Member Profile

Ms. Clark and Mr. Burgess both contacted me by phone. Since their remarks were similar, I'll discuss them together. To the best of my recollection, the main points they covered were as follows:

► Yeah, NV is not a good place for kids.

► No, they're not going to insist that people with kids be kicked out of there. (I hadn't asked them to.)

► No, the City is not currently moving forward on formalizing its relationship with NV. And that's probably not going to happen any time soon.

As regards other options for housing homeless families with children, both Ms. Clark and Mr. Burgess pointed out to me that the City contracts with an "outreach provider" to work directly with people at tent camps and NV. These outreach providers offer homeless people motel vouchers and many other forms of transitional housing assistance.

(Please note that this is something I had already mentioned in an earlier post. I did not prompt the Council members to talk about it, however. Rather, they volunteered it.)

When I asked Council Member Burgess if the City had regular contacts with the SHARE/WHEEL folks who run NV, he said he believed they did. (This echoes what the Mayor's own guy told me.)

Significantly, both Ms. Clark and Mr. Burgess noted that homeless people who are offered motel vouchers and other forms of transitional assistance with housing often turn it down.

I was surprised by this, so when I heard it a second time from Mr. Burgess, I asked him again, just to make sure I'd gotten it right:

"So you're saying that even homeless families with children turn the vouchers down?" I asked.

—"Yes," he said. "Most homeless people turn them down."

"Why?"

—"We don't know. And the outreach providers don't ask. They don't want to get into that with people."

***************************************************************************************

Overall, Mr. Burgess seemed more critical of NV and tent camps in general than did Ms. Clark. He pointed out that when NV was at the Fire Station, and kids were found to be living there, CPS was supposed to be notified. I believe that is the case for NV as well.

Moving off the topic of kids, I asked Mr. Burgess if the City had any plans to move forward and formalize its relationship with NV. He said no, and added that the City probably wouldn't be allocating any funding for NV either.

Both Ms. Clark and Mr. Burgess made comments to the effect that the ball was still in the Mayor's court for finding a permanent, city-approved location for NV.

Posted 7 months ago #
Bostonman
Member Profile

Typical political speak. Give you a page long response that doesn't answer the question. I love how you can get away with that as a politician. If I did that with my boss he would say flat out I am not giving him a solution, only restating the facts.

Posted 7 months ago #
nighthawk
Member Profile

>>—"Yes," he said. "Most homeless people turn them down."

"Why?"

—"We don't know. And the outreach providers don't ask. They don't want to get into that with people."
>>

There are so many facets to this problem but I think the outreach providers really need to be asking why they are turning down the vouchers. They don't have "get into it" with people to ask a simple question.

Posted 7 months ago #
JanS
Member Profile

first, I don't believe Share wheel is the governing factor in NV...it's the governing factor for the other tent cities that use church parking lots, but NV is it's own community. They simply have people (Scott) in common with some facets of NV.. Correct me if I'm wrong, miws. Second, a question. The vouchers for motels (and, yes, I think they should ask why, , too)...are they for permanent roof over the head until a more suitable place is found? Or are they for a few days, and then you're out on the street again? Curious...

Posted 7 months ago #
miws
Member Profile

Jan is correct.

NV is not part of SHARE/WHEEL. They simply support NV.

David, thank you for writing to the Council, and sharing the responses they've given so far

Mike

Posted 7 months ago #
Jiggers
Member Profile

Jan..temporary doesn't help.I'd rather keep do what I'm doing because you don't want to get comfortable only then to get tossed back out into the streets. It messes with your mind big time.If people are going to help, it needs to be long term, but met with goals to improve. There is no easy solution. Short-term doesn't help.

Posted 7 months ago #
JoB
Member Profile

I have heard the rationalization that homeless people turn down hotel vouchers...
but since they moved back to West Seattle... i have yet to see or hear of a single instance of any outreach organization offering the parents at Nickelsville hotel vouchers.

i do know that every school age child in Nickelsville is currently enrolled at school where there is supposed to be a case worker assigned to assist them in finding housing.

So far that has not produced a single result of a family moving out to subsidized housing.

Posted 7 months ago #
JoB
Member Profile

as for whether Nickelsville is one of the Share tent cities..

i can only say with some certainty that they receive no funding from Share... or from any governmental agency..
though they have managed to win a small open bid grant for environmental purposes.

They are on their own financially.

However, their rules and regulations are disturbingly similar to those that govern the two Share tent cities..

and 3 out of 4 of the weekly central committee meetings where all essential decisions about what happens in Nickelsville occur are held downtown at Share offices.

i was told by Scott that residents of the other tent cities ... who fulfill obligatory public participation credits for attending ... are able to vote at these meetings...
in fact i was told by him that anyone who attends those meetings can vote.

Although all Nickelsville residents are supposedly welcome to attend central committee meetings...
the reality is that a limited number of bus passes are handed out by Peggy

I have not yet attended a central committee meeting to witness this for myself...
but i have often been in camp for other reasons when the handful who attend return to camp.

miws who is a Nickelsville resident and a long time forum poster has attended central committee meetings regularly since he moved into Nickeslville..

PLEASE DON'T ASK HIM TO COMMENT...
one of the rules of residency that i listed in an article here last spring is that he can't talk about what happens in those meetings..
without being permanently barred from Nickelsville...
the only home he has.

I have attended the public portion of evening meetings at the camp and can only say that as in all "democratic" processes, the person or agency that controls the agenda controls the outcome.

It is very clear that Scott Morrow (adviser and supposedly no longer a SHARE employee) and Peggy Noates (coordinator with the 5013C that is Nickelsville's current "parent" organization) control the agenda and thus at the least influence the decisions made there...

which in my experience may not be binding anyway depending upon what is "decided" in central committee meetings.

I have experienced this process first hand this summer when trying to provide materials for projects envisioned by Nickelsville residents ..
projects that were discussed and "approved" at mandatory Sunday meetings...

i have been told repeatedly that i could not deliver materials until I secured "permission" from Scott.

The work on the steps into what was until yesterday the only entrance into Nickelsville was delayed for 5 weeks while we waited for Scott's ok to deliver a load of gravel.

That approval was granted the night before the much publicized city council visit to Nickelsville.

That project had so much support by Nickelsville residents that even though the gravel was not delivered until 9 AM, the steps were completed by early afternoon in time for that visit.

There is a project being promoted on the forum today... that i have had nothing to do with... to deliver gravel to help reduce the dangerous conditions created by standing water and mud in the common areas that has been effectively put on hold while it is "processed" through Scott.

I witnessed those conditions in Nickelsville in May and can state with certainty that the pallet solutions employed this spring were nearly as dangerous as the mud...

rain is expected again tomorrow..
but.. even if the residents are willing to do the back breaking work of moving several yards of environmentally safe gravel to their common areas one bucket at a time...
accepting the gravel that would make their community safer has to wait for "the process" which occurs at central committee meetings downtown at the SHARE offices.

I have also observed that the only organization that benefits from public presentations or demonstrations by nickelsville residents and supporters is Share who has contracts with the city to provide housing for the homeless.

the city council has no official relationship with Nickelsville, but they definately do have contracts up for renewal next year with SHARE.

In fact, when the decision to move from the fire station where residents enjoyed shelter, sanitation and kitchens was made, paperwork generated by Scott morrow reports that SHARE proposed that they run the vacated facilities "as is" as another SHARE shelter on city contract.

The city council did not grant that request and the fire station is still vacant.

A SHARE related matter extending the occupation permits for tent cities at religious institutions is scheduled to be decided by the city council today and coincidentally was preceded by public testimony by Nickelsville residents last week.

So.. in spite of all protestations to the contrary,

I would say that whether or not Nickelsville is actually part of Share is a very grey area...

Posted 7 months ago #
munchkin22
Member Profile

Thank you Jo for an enlightening explanation of the roles of the two individuals mentioned. Interesting how the strings are pulled at the expense of those least able to speak for themselves. I see your post is now 10 hours old with no responses or comments. Is the silence telling us how far reaching the influences really go? Remember the old saying...question authority. We too have been referred to "ask Scott" , but so far anything we decide to help with is of our own volition and if our donations have to be approved by non residents that's probably when we'll decide to "give back" somewhere else and hopefully someone else will step up and continue where we stopped. I know you've been a tremendous help to NV and we all wish them success in their endeavours.
I applaud you for bringing this up, for the residents of Nickelsville. We consider many of them friends.

Posted 7 months ago #
kootchman
Member Profile

As we used to say back on the block... how is Scott getting his beak wet? Or better yet.. how wet is his beak? Seems that if public funding is involved...that old 501C should have some open books eh? Given that NV is now three years old... who is profiting from that state of affairs? The old poverty pimp routine... a 501C . a non-profit after salaries? Let's underbid for the contract!

Posted 7 months ago #
Jiggers
Member Profile

kootch..we need to meet up for coffee so I can go into further detail with you on your last post. I already discussed this question you brought up in post 21 with JoB awhile back. Maybe we all can have a get togther for lunch...:)

Posted 7 months ago #
JoB
Member Profile

kootchman..

I certainly did not mean to imply that Scott is "getting his beak wet". I am not personally aware of any financial irregularities.

As far as I know, Scott is a dedicated advocate for the homeless.

I simply question whether Nickelsville is a totally separate totally self governed homeless community.

My understanding is that SHARE made an agreement with the city roughly at the time of the court case that established the right of religious organizations to host tent cities that limited them to one tent city within the city limits and another in the greater county outside the city limits.

When a local wino (who I am told has since turned his life around to become a successful Real Change vendor) camped in the field Nickelsville currently occupies with friends and called the encampment Nickelsville, Scott Morrow somehow became involved and subsequently "resigned" from SHARE to become "adviser" and city contact with Nickelsville.

My understanding is that he is no longer employed by SHARE but does have office space there as a consultant.

I got the impression he is still intimately involved in the day to day function of the two SHARE tent cities from comments made to me by former residents of those tent cities who have lived temporarily at Nickelsville this summer.

I do know that one camper temporarily banned from Nickelsville drove a SHARE van during his absence, regularly visited Nickelsville in it, told me he was on staff at one of the tent cities and recently had his ban at Nickelsville overturned to move back into what looks like a position of authority there.

On occasion I have witnessed visits from residents of the two SHARE tent cities who always make a point of speaking with Scott when he arrives for the evening meeting.

As for examining their books... Nickelsville itself is not a non-profit organization. They are a project that was sponsored by Veterans for Peace, a large national organization, until shortly after their move back to West Seattle. They are now sponsored by Jam for Justice, a local organization.

I have checked the Secretary of State website. Jam for Justice is listed as a non-profit corporation although they do not appear in a search for charitable organizations.

I am not sure exactly what that means, but was told that the city was confident enough about the legitimacy of their non-profit status to write them a check recently that I was given to understand was to benefit the Nickelsville project.

I have been told that the portable sanitation systems and garbage removal alone run in the thousands every month.

You are right that anyone who has donated to a 501 3C charitable organization has the right to request to see that charity's books.

However, since Nickelsville has been a Jam for Justice project for less than 6 months, the public records wouldn't be likely to reflect the Nickelsville project yet.

I would suspect that Veteran's for Peace would be a better source for information on the financial history of Nickelsville. Since they terminated their involvement, it likely they would have finalized their records regarding Nickelsville.

I personally don't understand the relationship between SHARE, Scott Morrow and Nickelsville, but
I can tell you from interacting nearly daily with the residents of Nickeslville this summer that they are dead serious about creating an independent self governed community.

My personal concern is that the somewhat murky relationship with SHARE may be what keeps the council from establishing a formal relationship with Nickelsville that would allow them to legally accept assistance with services like a water source, sanitation and electricity.

The residents there have worked very hard to create something of value for themselves and are scrupulous about policing their own behavior. It has truly been my pleasure to support them in their efforts.

To be perfectly honest, their accomplishments this summer have exceeded my wildest dreams for them. I would like to see them succeed.

Posted 7 months ago #
kootchman
Member Profile

JoB.. I defer to you on this issue. I generally do not spend "time" there... but it was a classical hoo rah pig roast. There is in my estimation more than enough talent and skill in the residents to assert their own path of determination. A little help, maybe some shared experience,,, some management talent, bookkeeping,... but theirs to ask for. Waiting five weeks for "permission" to gravel a staircase.... chaffs my Libertarian ass to no end. I hold them as able enough... as able as any of us are... and we all go to outside resources. Liberation theology... goddamn generator time restrictions... pure control bullshit. IMHO. There are 240 plus WS that hang in the wind for decisions to be made in their behalf. I love your commitment...and god knows you thread the eye of the needle better than I could... Seems to me.. it is hard to build autonomy on paternalism... paternalism is what we do in emergencies... short term. I reiterate, I had a great time post pig roast... these are fine neighbors. Sure Jigs...anytime.. only if JoB is a bar wench ... coffee ..eh...only as a last resort. West 5 or Proust... now that is a meeting spot.

Posted 7 months ago #
DBP
Member Profile

Mr. Harrell's response to my e-mail:

David,

Thank you for sending your email of September 6, 2011. I appreciate that you alerted city leaders to the problem facing Nickelsville families with young children -- families who are unable to secure housing.

As you may know, one of the Council’s three budget priorities for 2011 is to “foster safe, just, and healthy communities for all.” Your testimony confirms that Council should permit that budget priority to remain. I believe that when our children are housed precariously or not housed at all, change schools often, go to bed hungry, are unable to access the resources life has to offer, it impacts their health, wellness, educational opportunities, and the capacity to prepare for success through adulthood. If our City institutions are unable to help these young children, I want to know “Why not?” We ought to get in front of this now, instead of trying to fix it through child welfare or the criminal and juvenile justice system later.

If you have additional information about the children you have referenced, do not hesitate to forward the same to the Chair of the Housing, Human Services, Health and Culture Committee at Nick.Licata@Seattle.gov. Also, feel free to cc me at Bruce.Harrell@Seattle.gov.

Sincerely,

Bruce A. Harrell

Note from David: Mr. Licata has not yet formally replied to my e-mail, though he has assured me, via e-mail, that he's going to be responding "in depth."

Posted 7 months ago #
JoB
Member Profile

DP...

i plan to make an appt with Mr Licata next week.
Want to come along?

Posted 7 months ago #
DBP
Member Profile

Yeah, Jo. I'm in. E-mail when you have the appt. time.

Anyone else want to show up? I can't imagine anything that would impress Mr. Licata more than a delegation of concerned citizens. Now here's some additional info forwarded to me by Bruce Harrel's assistant, Jennifer Samuels.

Good morning David,

Councilmember Harrell asked me to follow-up with you regarding additional information we received from the Human Services Department. Below, see the email we received this morning on this subject.

Do not hesitate to call me at 206-684-8572, if you have further comments or questions.

Best,

Jennifer Samuels

[Attached e-mail below . . .]

Subject: RE: MEDIA CONTACT Nickelsville Kudo + Concern

The Human Services Department (HSD) does not and has never had a contractual relationship with the “Nickelsville” tent city; this includes the period of time when the organization was at FS 39. FAS had an agreement with the organization named “Nickelsville”. HSD cannot speak to the specific FAS lease/use terms while “Nickelsville” was at the old FS 39.

HSD visited “Nickelsville” at FS 39. These visits were limited to tours with the Mayor’s Office and meetings we scheduled with them to conduct a survey of encampment residents. On one of the shelter survey visits, HSD observed that there was a family residing at the old FS 39. HSD contacted the organizers of “Nickelsville” to discuss options for the family, provided them with a contact to an HSD-funded motel voucher program and we followed up with our contractor. The family declined assistance. HSD staff also contacted CPS (Child Protection Services).

HSD does not have a contract for outreach services to the encampment known as “Nickelsville”.

There are limited shelter, transitional and affordable housing options available for homeless individuals and children. HSD is engaging community members in a planning process that will result in releasing an investment plan for City funding in 2012. In this process, HSD is looking at ways to increase early intervention services for homeless youth and families with children to end cycles of housing instability and homelessness.

I’m also attaching a document that HSD staff recently prepared on CPS implications in Washington State.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Andrea Akita
Senior Planning & Development Specialist
Seattle Human Services Department
andrea.akita@seattle.gov
206.684.0113

(David's Note: I did not receive the CPS document Ms. Akita refers to above. I think that document was intended for Mr. Harrell and not me)

Posted 7 months ago #
DBP
Member Profile

Here's the response to my e-mail from Council Member Richard Conlin:

Thanks for the message. I will forward this to our staff who work on homelessness issues and ask them for information on the shelter situation for homeless families. It has been my understanding that shelter space has consistently been available for families, but that sometimes there is a complicating factor (such as a pet) that cannot be accommodated. But I will ask them to verify that.

Council President Richard Conlin
Seattle City Hall
600 Fourth Avenue, Floor 2
PO Box 34025
Seattle, WA 98124-4025
(206) 684-8805

David's note: To date I have not received any additional info from Mr. Conlin or his assistant regarding availability of shelter space.

Posted 7 months ago #
JoB
Member Profile

DBP

i have renewed my request for a meeting with councilman Licata every day this week but so far have only heard from one of those pesky assistants:)

i will let you know if/when i secure an actual meeting.

Posted 7 months ago #
DBP
Member Profile

Mr. Licata's response to my e-mail:

Dear Mr. Preston,

Of the items in Resolution 31292, setting out a work plan to help homeless people who are not served by the shelter system, the 4 efforts that seem most able to address the needs of families with children who are currently sleeping outside are:

1. Expanding family shelter at Fire Station 39 (see pages 1-4)

Will be considered in Council budget deliberations

2. Supporting a non-profit provide in efforts to purchase a hotel/motel property (pages 9-10)

Office of Housing is considering funding a project of Catholic Community Services of Western Washington is using to turn the Fremont Inn – formerly the Thunderbird Motel – into a home for 71 chronically homeless men and women. At this time, no provider has approached the City to fund a family project at one of these locations.

3. Expanding rent assistance vouchers (pages 210 and 11)

The Council will consider increasing the amount of funding for these programs. $250,000 in direct financial assistance could prevent a minimum of 102 households from becoming homeless or re-house a minimum of thirty-two to forty-one families or individuals. Providing additional funding for these programs may not be feasible at this time due to reductions in CDBG funding and pressures on the City’s General Fund. This will be considered in Council budget deliberations

4. Modifying the City's existing shelter service contracts to meet needs specifically for: working homeless, medically-fragile homeless, frail and elderly individuals, and families. (pages 14 – 16)

The Human Services Department is developing a plan for its 2012 investments in shelter, transitional housing, day/hygiene centers, and other supports for homeless individuals and families with the goal of more effectively meeting the needs of various homeless populations, including working adults, couples, single parents with older children, families, victims of domestic violence, and the chronically homeless.

Finally, in addition to these specific Council efforts, in May 2100, there was a notice of funding availability (NOFA) issued by the Office of Housing (among other funders) the intent to allocate approximately $55.6 million in combined funds for housing with supportive services for homeless families, individuals and young adults. I’ve attached that NOFA here as well so that you can get a sense of the kinds of efforts that we can expect to be implemented in the upcoming year.

I really appreciate your advocacy on behalf of homeless people generally and children especially. It’s heartbreaking that children are homeless. In the most recent year we have data (2009) schools reported 20,780 homeless students statewide. Most of these kids are in shelter or some sort of transitional housing. But even one kid having to sleep outside is unacceptable. Yet, in the last One Night Count, we learned that in Seattle there are 1,700 people sleeping outside (separate from roughly 6000 people who were in area emergency shelters and transitional housing programs on the same night), and yes, sadly, there are children among them.

Sincerely,

Lisa Herbold
Legislative Aide to Councilmember Nick Licata
lisa.herbold@seattle.gov
ph: 206-684-8803/fax: 206-233-0054
600 4th Avenue, 2nd Floor
Seattle, WA 98104

P.S. Nick has a periodic newsletter, URBAN POLITICS, that follows political issues that shape the City of Seattle. If you'd like to subscribe to URBAN POLITCS, send a blank email to urbanpolitics-subscribe@speakeasy.net. Previous issues of URBAN POLITICS can be viewed here: http://www.seattle.gov/council/licata/up00dex.htm

Attached to Ms. Herbold's e-mail were two PDF documents, and I'm linking them to you here:

http://roominate.com/blogg/good_news/2011_NOFA.pdf
http://roominate.com/blogg/good_news/res_31292.pdf

Posted 7 months ago #
JoB
Member Profile

DBP..

I heard from Lisa in Nick Licata's office today.

It seems it is not unusual to take at least a week to respond to a request for a meeting.

I wonder how long it will take to actually get a meeting?

Posted 7 months ago #
JanS
Member Profile

I just read the letter from Lisa Herbold. May 2100? Ummm..not gonna happen for quite some time? Guess I am a bit picky, but...a lot of it is double speak to me. Tonight there will be a family on the street, including kids...what are the more immediate plans for them? The fall rains are here...your question to these people was very timely, DP, and I don't see what is being done right now. Yes, Mr. Licata, it's sad that there are children homeless on the streets. And something being done in the future is a good thing....but it doesn't take care of the now. Sigh.

Posted 7 months ago #
funkietoo
Member Profile

JoB...when you meet with Mr. Licata, perhaps he might consider a different approach with Seattle's surplus properties...including the Fire Station on 35th?

Here is the article and my comment
http://westseattleblog.com/2011/10/next-step-toward-selling-historic-former-fire-station-37

Posted 7 months ago #
JoB
Member Profile

funkitoo..

i wish.

we just leveled a middle school that had it's last day of school this year to provide playing fields for the high school.

there is at least one vacant high school on delridge that held classes little more than a year ago.

both have kitchens, bathrooms, showers and classroom.

People are making a living converting old schoolhouses to B&Bs all over the country...

surely they could house our homeless.

Posted 7 months ago #
DP
Member Profile

Here's a recent, well-written article from the Times entitled "City may ease tent-city rules for churches, but not others":

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016349740_homeless29m.html

(By Lynn Thompson)

**************************************************************************************

The piece does not specifically address the problem of homeless children; however, it does highlight the general complexities of sheltering the homeless, and the political infighting that goes on, not just between the Council and the Mayor but also between shelter providers and the City.

I was surprised to read, for example, that El Centro de la Raza had been fined $17,000 for hosting Tent City 3 before a "consent decree" with the City had been signed. On the one hand, I understand the City's position that the law needs to be respected; people can't just set up shelters anywhere. But it seems like the $17,000 they fined El Centro would have been better spent on shelter services . . .

This excerpt from the article says a lot about why we're still having such a problem:

Meanwhile, a second tent encampment, Nickelsville, moved in May from Fire Station 39 to city-owned land on West Marginal Way South. The camp already has stayed beyond the 90 days typically allowed for homeless encampments, and a spokesman for McGinn told the West Seattle Blog that the city would not seek to evict residents.

Asked this week if the site could become the elusive long-term encampment the mayor has sought, McGinn spokesman Aaron Pickus said the mayor's office was still hoping the City Council would propose a plan.

Come on, Mr. Mayor.
Come on, City Council.

Show your leadership and DO SOMETHING already.

Posted 7 months ago #
DP
Member Profile

OK. Time for roll call.

Here are the City Council members who responded to my e-mail about homeless children in Seattle (in order of response):

♥ Sally Clark
♥ Sally Bagshaw
♥ Tim Burgess
♥ Bruce Harrell
♥ Richard Conlin
♥ Nick Licata

The Council Members who did NOT respond to my e-mail are:

♠ Tom Rasmussen
♠ Jean Godden
♠ Mike O'Brien

It's been over a month since I sent my original e-mail on September 6. After a week, I sent a reminder to all the Council Members who hadn't responded (cc'ing the ones who had) reminding them that I expected some kind of response to my enquiry.

Needless to say, I will NOT be voting for any of the Council Members who did not respond in any future election in which they may be running. Nope, not even for dog catcher.

Call me old fashioned, but I have a personal rule about not supporting politicians who don't represent me. And how can someone possibly represent me when they don't even read my letters or respond to my questions?

In fact, they can't. They can't represent me.

Posted 7 months ago #
JoB
Member Profile

DBP..

thanks for the link to the SeattleTimes article.
i hadn't seen that.

Posted 7 months ago #
DBP
Member Profile

Homelessness is very much on the mind of Seattle officials right now, so if you want to do something powerful for the folks at Nickelsville, now's the time to act.

Call or e-mail the Mayor and Council members and tell them you want them to put their egos aside and work together to either formalize Nickelsville or agree on some other PERMANENT LOCATION for the camp.

If you want the camp to be a place for children, say that in your message. If you DON'T want it to be a place for children, say THAT in your message.

Whatever you do, don't let this opportunity to influence your government and community pass you by . . .

Mayor Mike McGinn
Phone: 206-684-CITY
E-mail: mike.mcginn@seattle.gov

•Sally Bagshaw
206-684-8801
sally.bagshaw@seattle.gov

•Tim Burgess
206-684-8806
tim.burgess@seattle.gov

•Sally Clark
206-684-8802
sally.clark@seattle.gov

•Richard Conlin
206-684-8805
richard.conlin@seattle.gov

•Jean Godden
206-684-8807
jean.godden@seattle.gov

•Bruce Harrell
206-684-8804
bruce.harrell@seattle.gov

•Nick Licata
206-684-8803
nick.licata@seattle.gov

•Mike O'Brien
206-684-8800
mike.obrien@seattle.gov

•Tom Rasmussen
206-684-8808
tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov

***************************************************************************************

City Officials Web site:

http://www.seattle.gov/html/citizen/city_officials.htm

Posted 7 months ago #
Betty T
Member Profile

In regards to "motel voucher" being turned down. If they take a temporary voucher and at the end of that time housing has not been found for them, they are out& again homeless. If they left Nicklesville to do that they have lost their space there. Could be more traumatic for children then if stayed there in first place. Granted its not a perfect place for kids but its better than under a bridge some place and safer. It would be nice if Homelessness could be done away with for the families but what is the answer? With all the budget cuts there is less and less housing. I take lunch to the camp every Sat. Someone told they me came there from "transition" housing. I thought Transitional Housing was to help people move forward.
My friend & I having been going there with food every Sat since May. I have met some friendly, polite and appreciative people. Some who have a plan for moving on, some not. I sometimes go with my daughter when she takes food just so I can visit with some of them. Some of them could be my own son about the same age, and I'm thankful he has somehow managedto avoid the situation. Evrybody has what they think is the solutions but if they have never had to deal with DSHS or housing of any kind on that level, they can't begin to understand how it works. Many times things move very slowly and it can be aggrevating. I'm lucky to be in senior housing & retired. I've had my issues when raising my kids as a single divorced mother who always worked but received a little extra help. I've dealt with waiting lists for housing and at one point homeless in my 60"s and if not for a good friend who could let me stay a limited time or lose her own apartment, I don't know where I'd been because was in a small community that had no help of any sort except Food Bank. I lost my apartment because was being demolished to build the landlord and nice new home. I had a full time job but the not funds to get into a regular rental. Waiting list for housing ? 2 yrs. Those lists here and everywhere are no better now.
The Mayor's Office needs to step and do something to help these peolple survive. NOW!

Posted 7 months ago #
Betty T
Member Profile

Sorry! I said my friend & I had be going to Nickelsville with food every Saturdy since May. We most likely started when they had the big Potluck. Well, Being a senior citizen I'm allowed a senior moment now and then. The important thing is we go every Saturday and take lunch, frozen water jugs, gallons of water(easiest for us old ladies to manage), and clothing and whatever else come our way from friends such a blankets, t.p.,
personal products. We just do what we can.

Posted 7 months ago #
DBP
Member Profile

That is great information, Betty! Thanks. Good karma to you.

The more I think about it, the more I see how the situation at Nickelsville reflects the problems of people in society at large. For some folks, life in the big city is simply too much.

I believe there are folks at NV who will probably never make it back into a stable housing situation. It's not because they're not "deserving," but it's also not because the City doesn't have enough places for them. Rather, it's simply because they don't understand how to work the system to get what they need. (I suspect this might have been the case with the person who told you they came to NV from transitional housing.)

Ideally, the City would have people acting in the role of "advocates" for the homeless. Advocates could help with filling out paperwork and, more importantly, could work with people on life skills and decision making. Even that wouldn't be enough to help some, though. For them Nickelsville will be the closest thing to home they ever see again. That's why I'm for making it as decent and safe a place as it can possibly be. —And that's why I think people should be contacting City Hall now and saying: "Get a move on, people! Let's make NV safe. Let's make it permanent."

Posted 7 months ago #
JoB
Member Profile

DBP...

you do understand that transitional housing generally comes with time limits, don't you.

when your time is up you aren't guaranteed permanent housing..

knowing how to work the system won't do you any real good if your number hasn't come up on the permanent housing assistance lists.

Posted 7 months ago #
JanS
Member Profile

work the system? Is that like trying to get Section 8 housing? Wait lists closed? 2 year backlog? DP, you make it sound like there is housing out there for everyone. It's simply not the case, and you're delusional if you thin k it is. My landlord has been trying to come up with ideas to help me out with this downturn in my health. He suggested that he would be open to do a Section 8 for me...and it simply cannot be done. I was told flatly, no. Closed.

"I believe there are folks at NV who will probably never make it back into a stable housing situation. It's not because they're not "deserving," but it's also not because the City doesn't have enough places for them" News flash...the city DOESN'T have enough places for them! There is no paperwork for an advocate to help with filling out. In an ideal world, yes, things would move along swimmingly...but we can't fool people into thinking there is something there when there isn't.

And I do agree with you..I wish City Hall would get off it's duff and make a decision about NV. Oh, but, they probably want to do another study...the Seattle way. Foot dragging is sometimes an art with the powers that be, huh....

Posted 7 months ago #
Betty T
Member Profile

I'm glad to know there is someone who understands what's to be dealt with in all this . I do realize every situation there is different. Just heard "300" more being put out of shelters that are closing. Where is it going to stop? I would like so much to do more but do only what I can. Feed those as long as my food will last each time.

If someone wants to help---I saw in the Kitchen tent yesterday--they could use ready-to-eat canned foods. When I can get my hands on donated "shelf milk", doesn't have to be kept refrigerated, I take it there.

I realize some people don't try to help them selves but some really do.

There was a big meeting this AM downtown and I understand Nickleodian was going in regards to new changes down there. I would very much liked to have gone because I don't think new changes are all good.

Posted 7 months ago #
JoB
Member Profile

Betty T..

ah.. that meeting.
i think that was demonstration for the homeless.
the central committe meeting
where they set the rules and procedures for Nickelsville is Wed morning.. i think at 9.. at SHARE headquarters downtown.

Posted 7 months ago #
DP
Member Profile

Thanks again, JanS, for recognizing the complexity of the issue. I know wait lists are long, and I wish you luck with your quest to get into another place.

[A favor: In future, please try to avoid the word "delusional" in reference to me, and I'll do the same for you. Unless we both go off our meds, in which case all bets are off.]

DP . . . knowing how to work the system won't do you any real good if your number hasn't come up on the permanent housing assistance lists.

—JoB . . . I'm not sure what you're trying to say here. It kind of sounds like another one those deals where you're contradicting an imaginary point that nobody actually made.

Anyway, just to refresh you . . . My claim is that SOME (not ALL) people at NV are there as a result of poor life skills and that it would be difficult for them to stay in free/low-cost housing even if they DID get into it.

Do you agree/disagree with that statement?
(Circle one)

Thanks in advance . . .

Posted 7 months ago #
JanS
Member Profile

here's the thing...I don't want to get into another place...my landlord was trying to come up with a plan for me to sty here, but with help. My rent is less than most in my area now, but he knows what's coming, having had a family member in the same boat.He is willing to work with me, and with them, and they still say no. Sigh. I am glad that there's Nickelsville for them, instead of under a bridge, or in a "jungle" somewhere.

meds? what meds? lolol...

and, yes, I agree, that some people are so entrenched in the homeless way of life, that they will elect to stay there no matter what. And, of course, those who would not be able to sustain a permanent place, lacking the skills to deal with those things.

Posted 7 months ago #
JoB
Member Profile

DP...

yes, some of the people in Nickelsville are there as a result of poor life choices. Some of them simply didn't have many of what we call life choices to start with.

Some of them are disabled vets. some of them are simply disabled. some of them are elderly.

and on occasion i meet someone who ticks all of the above boxes.

I also meet a lot of people who are in Nickelsville as the result of the kind of personal tragedy that derails the best of us.

but i haven't met any who wouldn't trade 4 walls and a roof for the tent they are sleeping in.

last night they raffled off the latest sleeping structure. Anyone who works on the structure gets to put their names in a hat and they draw a winner.

I brought the winner a housewarming gift.. a pair of cheap curtains, a blanket, flannel sheets for the twin mattress a family member is bringing him later today, a mat for the bare floor space and a rug for his front door.

He and his friends thought he had just won the lottery. As it turns out, he had.

If you want to see eyes sparkle at Nickelsville..
all you have to do is ask the latest winner of a sleeping structure what is their favorite color.

Give them an opportunity to sleep in a structure with 4 walls and they are as eager as anyone else to fix the place up.

Posted 7 months ago #
JoB
Member Profile

City Councilman Nick Licata graciously fit me into his schedule today.

For a half hour he listened as I talked with him about my experience at Nickelsville and asked the kind of questions that showed he was paying close attention.

Unfortunately a half hour is not long enough to cover anything more than the basics, but it was long enough to assure me that Mr Licata is aware of the complex issues at Nickelsvile and welcomes citizen involved there.

Posted 7 months ago #
DBP
Member Profile

This response trickled in from CM Mike O'Brien two days ago:

David,

Thank you for elevating the issue of homelessness and starting a lively conversation on the West Seattle Blog. I sincerely apologize for taking so long to respond, and you are right in your criticism of my lack of response to date. I hope in time I can earn back your trust as your elected representative and I appreciate you granting me the opportunity to reply belatedly.

I also appreciate your even-handed way of addressing this issue in your initial letter to Council, showing compassion for homelessness while also concern and caring for homeless children. At this point I also understand from the thread at WSB that folks want solutions, not just rhetoric from their elected officials. As we all well know, solutions to homelessness are hard to come by, and particularly during this economic time when there are so few resources to address problems of this scale and magnitude.

The balancing act we play here is that we do not have enough shelter space for families to stay together on the one hand, and on the other hand we are reluctant to insist on breaking up families so each family member can be in a shelter. Many families faced with that choice will choose to stick together, and I do not think it is my place to tell them otherwise. So while it pains me to see children experiencing homelessness, I am heartened to see the resilience of families who stay together and face those challenges collectively. I agree that we are not doing enough to prevent homelessness or to help people get back on their feet once they become homeless. I am honored to work with leaders like Councilmember Licata on this issue and also feel that we cannot insist that Nick do it all on his own.

For my own part, I have been working on developing a model for car campers in Ballard that we might be able to replicate in other parts of the city. The pilot we are working on is in collaboration with State Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, religious institutions and social service providers and would allow a religious institution to host up to 5 cars or small campers in their parking lot for a period of time while providing social services to the campers and assisting them in transitioning into more permanent, stable housing. I hope to have our first pilot site up and running by the end of the year. We are actively looking for more religious institutions willing to provide space to car campers and I encourage any WSB readers with a church, synagogue, mosque, temple or other space of worship to contact my office if you think your space might be a willing host.

You noted that my colleagues Mr. Burgess and Ms. Clark said there are homeless people who refuse shelter vouchers and I want to touch on that briefly. While shelters do go under capacity on some nights, my understanding is that anytime the weather turns sour (cold wintery nights in particular), shelters fill up and have to turn people away. To me this signifies that we probably do not have enough shelter space for everyone who is homeless. And homeless people I have spoken with have told me that life in a shelter is not always a very dignified life, and that is why some homeless people choose to live in their cars or pitch tents in greenways or move into tent cities. While you may not be indoors, having your own space is one of the few ways to maintain your dignity. Additionally, shelters can also be unsafe places, particularly for young people.

I wish we were doing more. And in lieu of the city fully stepping up to the challenge, the homeless are organizing themselves and I see Nickelsville as a great example of organizing and community building. I have visited the last two Nickelsville encampments (Lake City and South Park) and been very impressed by what I saw. Nickelsville is a community unlike many others in Seattle, and not just because they happen to live in tents. And I know many readers of the WSB have been down there and volunteered and participated in potlucks and so they know just what I am talking about. I do not think Nickelsville or encampments are “the solution” to homelessness and reiterate that we need safe, affordable housing for all. But I think Nickelsville is serving an important role in providing stability and community for homeless people while we continue to work on more permanent solutions.

Thank you again for elevating the issue on this forum and I apologize again to you and the readers of WSB for being so late with my response.

Sincerely,

Mike

Posted 7 months ago #

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