Re: “Seattle breaks records on homeless tents removed, encampments cleared” (April 21, Challenge 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 change into an more and more fashionable and expensive technique within the metropolis’s try and mitigate homelessness but have completed nothing to lower the variety of folks dwelling out on the streets. Encampment sweeps solely work to isolate and dehumanize unhoused people all whereas failing to deal with the foundation 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 outside parts. 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 disguise the severity of homelessness in Seattle.
As a substitute of alienating essentially the most weak folks in our group, we should always as a substitute consider how we are able to reintegrate them into society. Just lately, Spokane launched an ordinance that prohibits employers from discriminating towards job candidates primarily based on their lack of housing. Seattle ought to pivot towards coverage initiatives like these that tackle homelessness within the long-term as a substitute of counting on ineffective, short-term options.
Sabrina Turnes, Seattle
