CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to activities to relocate or remove sanctioned and unsanctioned encampments of people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic; amending Ordinance 126000, which adopted the 2020 budget; imposing provisos; and establishing an immediate effective date; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
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WHEREAS, the latest point-in-time count of people experiencing homelessness in King County estimated that 1,276 people live in tents or unsanctioned encampments on a given night; and
WHEREAS, on March 3, 2020, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan issued a proclamation of civil emergency to ramp up the City's efforts to prepare for and respond to local cases of coronavirus; and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend against removing encampments while there is community spread of COVID-19 unless there is adequate housing available defined as individual housing and non-congregate shelter options; and
WHEREAS, there may be circumstances in which moving people is necessary, even in a pandemic, but in those limited cases such activity should be planned and implemented with great care and alternative workable living arrangements made available; and
WHEREAS, as of March 17, 2020, during the period of civil emergency in response to new cases of COVID-19, the Mayor halted encampment removals except under extreme circumstances that included situations where "living structures completely block the entire sidewalk, living structures prohibit safe entry and exit from a building or use of a facility, or are a public safety danger to occupants and/or greater community" with examples that include a living structure located on a ramp or roadway, blocking an entire sidewalk or bike lane, presenting fire or safety hazards to infrastructure (i.e. freeway supports/bridges), blocking entry or exit to a building, or being located in a play area; and
WHEREAS, on...
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