Re: “Seattle breaks records on homeless tents removed, encampments cleared” (April 21, Project Homeless) and “Spokane outlaws discriminating against homeless job applicants” (April 26, Northwest):
Seattle needs to stop putting time and money into removing homeless encampments. Encampment sweeps have become an increasingly popular and costly strategy in the city’s attempt to mitigate homelessness yet have done nothing to decrease the number of people living out on the streets. Encampment sweeps only work to isolate and dehumanize unhoused folks all while failing to address the root causes of homelessness.
Sweeps often result in the loss of personal belongings, including identification documents, making it harder for unhoused individuals to access services and employment. Moreover, the confiscation of tents leaves unhoused folks without any privacy or protection from outdoor elements. Without investment in affordable housing, more shelter beds and health care services, especially to treat mental health and substance use disorders, encampment sweeps do nothing but hide the severity of homelessness in Seattle.
Instead of alienating the most vulnerable people in our community, we should instead think of how we can reintegrate them into society. Recently, Spokane introduced an ordinance that prohibits employers from discriminating against job applicants based on their lack of housing. Seattle should pivot toward policy initiatives like these that address homelessness in the long-term instead of relying on ineffective, short-term solutions.
Sabrina Turnes, Seattle
