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City's rules for clearing homeless camps goes farther than most but still draws fire

By Jacqueline Dowd

Seattle crews have razed six homeless encampments so far this year while the city developed rules for the controversial sweeps.

The new rules call for at least three days' notice before forcing homeless people from unauthorized tent encampments and an opportunity to later retrieve some of their seized property. The city has contracted with a private shelter to provide 20 additional beds for camp residents pushed out by sweeps. Additionally, if it's needed, officials say they will open a 75-bed temporary overflow shelter at City Hall.

This is lot more than many cities are doing. Nevertheless, advocates for the homeless in Seattle have expressed concerns about the new rules. "They will not help end homelessness," said Alison Eisinger, director of the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness. "They will help punish people who are homeless."

Read the Seattle Post-Intelligencer report here.

Full post as published by the 13th juror on April 16, 2008 (boomark / email).