City Council considering loosening restrictions on RV’s and residential vehicles

[zephyr]

Just wondering if WSB is going to do an article on this—the city council has revived the debate on residential vehicles. From KIRO news: Draft legislation from Seattle city council member Mike O’Brien would possibly loosen regulations on RV’s parked along city streets. Quote: “…This legislation would largely exempt vehicles used housing from being towed or impounded. According to draft legislation being put forth by O’Brien, RV’s or vehicles being used as living spaces outside of the Sanctuary Lot would be largely exempt from city parking restrictions, even on neighborhood streets.” (Emphasis mine.)

Here’s the KIRO article, note the video goes to auto-play.

More information on the front page of the Seattle Times:

Here’s the leaked draft proposal (found in the Times article)

Sorry if my links are properly inserted. Trying to figure this out.

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[zephyr]

Hmmm. No editing capability. And the links didn’t show I am going to put them here. http://www.kiro7.com/news/local/looser-rv-camping-regulations-seattle-councilmans-draft-legislation-could-do-that/585801130

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/seattle-council-may-revive-debate-on-homeless-living-in-vehicles/

Leaked draft:
https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/scottforseattle/pages/33/attachments/original/1502148518/RVliving.pdf?1502148518

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[skeeter]

Our system is completely broken. We have laws prohibiting camping in parks/sidewalks/streets. But we do not enforce those laws – at least not consistently. Now the city council is considering legalizing camping in cars on city streets. So our big problem will be an even bigger problem.
I’m no expert, but as people get poorer and poorer and housing gets more expensive something is going to break very soon. We’re going to have to start building massive facilities (campgrounds or housing) to provide free housing to the homeless.
What we really need is assistance from the federal government. Because any solution (jailing, housing, sheltering) thousands of homeless people is going to cost in the hundreds of millions per year.
It costs about $70,000 per year for my small family to get housing, utilities, medical care, food, and transportation in West Seattle. But I’m making smart/healthy decisions. If I was sick or addicted I suspect it would easily cost double that since I would need more assistance from doctors, social workers, police, etc. So let’s say $140,000 per year. Doesn’t Seattle have about 6,000 homeless people above and beyond those currently sheltered? 6,000 times $140,000 per year equals $840,000,000 per year. That’s almost a billion dollars per year. Or taxes of about $2,400 per year per Seattle household.
Even ignoring the human misery, we have a shockingly expensive challenge on our hands.

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[WSB]

It’s been a little busy. But this all actually comes down to a council briefing this afternoon (2 pm) and I’ll have a preview up shortly, then gotta get back to the Ryan Cox followup.

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[zephyr]

Thanks, WSB for posting the article. And yes, you have been busy. When it rains, it pours.

Meanwhile, from reading one of the news site articles it appeared that the Council member wants to allow them to park anywhere, including neighborhood streets. This is completely unacceptable. It does seem that these various camps grow at an alarming rate. What skeeter says is worth noting: We’re going to have to start building massive facilities (campgrounds or housing) to provide free housing to the homeless. And then the cost: “Even ignoring the human misery, we have a shockingly expensive challenge on our hands.” Many of us are just struggling to keep our own heads above water. Paying all this extra cost can sink many of us that are getting by.

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[JoB]

were you aware that 40% of homeless people in Seattle live in their vehicles?

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[Author]

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