Council receives briefing from homeless commission and takes next step to develop county policies

The Metropolitan King County Council today thanked members of the King County Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Homeless Encampments (CACHE) for their timely work in recommending policies and guidelines on homeless encampments, and then directed the County Executive to use the commission’s findings to develop King County policy on homeless encampments for Council consideration.

CACHE co-chairs Holly Plackett and Bill Kirlin-Hackett presented their final report to the Council’s Committee of the Whole and explained their recommendations, which include using public and private land for homeless encampments, subject to certain conditions.

"What the commission members have presented to the council is a vital next step in what must be a comprehensive approach to addressing the problem of homelessness," said Councilmember Carolyn Edmonds, prime sponsor of the ordinance that created the public/private panel. "The challenge is bigger than government or the private sector—we need a community wide-effort to create a community-wide solution.”

The 22 members of CACHE were recognized by the Council before the briefing. The process fulfills a commitment Edmonds made last May while speaking to more than 500 citizens who attended a King County community meeting at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bothell to voice their concerns about the placement of a Tent City near the Brickyard Park and Ride. The 18 voting members — 13 citizens nominated by each Councilmember and advisory members representing human service agencies that work on homeless and housing issues, law enforcement and public health — made recommendations on a needs assessment for homeless encampments; policy and procedural guidelines for determining the location of future encampments; and options for locating such encampments on public and private land in King County. Among the findings of the Commission:

• The scope and complexity of homelessness makes it the responsibilities of all jurisdictions in King County.

• Tent cities will not solve or end homelessness, but 14 of the members agreed that there is a need for them — as long as they are short-term encampments that end when there is enough space to house the homeless.

• Local government and communities adjacent to the encampment must play a role in the placement of the facility, and must include formal opportunities for public input.

• Eleven of the members agreed that encampments should be allowed on both public and private parcels.

• Shelters for the most part are not sufficient in meeting the needs of the homeless who also need treatment and supportive services.

“At least 10 homeless people without shelter have died in King County in 2004,” said Council Chair Larry Phillips. “The commission has reached two very difficult conclusions: that tent cities are not the best solution but are needed because they provide the safety and a sense of community not available when sleeping under a freeway, in a car or a park, or the alcove of a business. These findings and recommendations are part of a blueprint that will be used to develop a sound, regional approach to homelessness. No one group alone can solve this crisis. The only way to ensure that everyone has a safe place to call home is for local government, the faith communities, the homeless and all citizens to forge effective solutions.”

Following the CACHE briefing, the full Council passed legislation sponsored by Councilmember Edmonds directing the Executive's office to develop procedures and policies, consistent with the report, for establishing homeless encampments in King County.

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system and type in “2004-0432“

More information on the King County Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Homeless Encampments.