Re: “Seattle breaks records on homeless tents removed, encampments cleared” (April 21, Undertaking Homeless) and “Spokane outlaws discriminating against homeless job applicants” (April 26, Northwest):
Seattle must cease placing money and time into eradicating homeless encampments. Encampment sweeps have turn into an more and more widespread and expensive technique within the metropolis’s try to mitigate homelessness but have completed nothing to lower the variety of folks residing out on the streets. Encampment sweeps solely work to isolate and dehumanize unhoused people all whereas failing to deal with the basis causes of homelessness.
Sweeps typically consequence within the lack of private belongings, together with identification paperwork, making it more durable for unhoused people to entry providers and employment. Furthermore, the confiscation of tents leaves unhoused people with none privateness or safety from out of doors components. With out funding in reasonably priced housing, extra shelter beds and well being care providers, particularly to deal with psychological well being and substance use problems, encampment sweeps do nothing however conceal the severity of homelessness in Seattle.
As an alternative of alienating essentially the most susceptible folks in our neighborhood, we should always as an alternative consider how we will reintegrate them into society. Just lately, Spokane launched an ordinance that prohibits employers from discriminating in opposition to job candidates primarily based on their lack of housing. Seattle ought to pivot towards coverage initiatives like these that handle homelessness within the long-term as an alternative of counting on ineffective, short-term options.
Sabrina Turnes, Seattle
