CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to City responses to people who are homeless living on public property; setting standards and procedures for remedying unsafe conditions and protecting the rights and property of homeless individuals.
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WHEREAS, neighborhoods and communities in the City of Seattle, both sheltered and unsheltered, are increasingly experiencing negative impacts from the crisis of homelessness; and
WHEREAS, the condition and/or location of outdoor living spaces or vehicles used as residences can raise public health and/or safety concerns to which the City must respond; and
WHEREAS, removing outdoor living spaces or impounding vehicles being used as residences when there is not sufficient adequate and accessible alternative housing exacerbates the hazards facing unsheltered individuals and fails to address neighborhood concerns;
WHEREAS, the long-term solution for homelessness is a "housing first" approach that provides sufficient adequate and accessible permanent housing for people who are homeless;
WHEREAS, finding permanent and sustainable housing for homeless individuals is a priority for the City, as is avoiding additional harm to those who are living unsheltered;
WHEREAS, homelessness is a public health crisis causing increased disease and premature death for people who are homeless;
WHEREAS, the January 29, 2016, One Night Count found 2,942 individuals sleeping unsheltered in Seattle, an increase of 4.6 percent from the previous year and part of a 67 percent increase in unsheltered homelessness in Seattle since 2011;
WHEREAS, the City's lack of sufficient adequate and accessible housing to accommodate the needs of all people experiencing homelessness has led to unauthorized outdoor living spaces in the City;
WHEREAS, in 2013, the City's Human Services Department found disproportionality of homelessness among people of color and other groups such as veterans and LGBTQ...
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