Seattle Homelessness

JC29856 said:

jeffbr said:

JC29856 said:

josevolution said:

You can start here by fixing this huge problem that Republicans fail to see 
The 1% grabbed 82% of all wealth created in 2017 - CNN Money https://apple.news/AJRwwjCBQSa6ZP7jfqMvMrw

I think you will find that the trend you post has been the case since your birth. (it didn't start in January of 2017)

That's very true, but with a city like Seattle, this wage disparity has been very profound over the past decade+. Amazon, primarily, and many other tech companies like Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Zillow all have driven up net worth of their workers. Affordable housing used to exist in the city, and no longer does. Median income for married couples in Seattle as of last year was $133,000, 61% higher than the US median for couples. If you are a family of four making less than $72,000 you are considered low income.  Median home price in Seattle is just about $800,000. Many people who work in the city can no longer afford to live in the city (or if they do, it is in a homeless encampment). So sure, income disparity really started a few decades ago, but we've seen pretty obvious and rapid separation between the 1% and everyone else since the 80's.

So what do you attribute the homeless problem to? Ive never been to Seattle aren't there affordable housing on the outskirts?

jeffbr said:

Those Portraits of Homlessness are pretty profound, and beautiful and tragic at the same time. The reality is that Seattle has become a shithole. Under freeways, on sidewalks, in door jambs, in open spaces. Homeless camps are everywhere. Drug infested, crime infested, violence infested, garbage infested, rat infested, disease infested places full of criminals and the mentally ill in addition to those simply down on their luck. The city continues to try to find solutions. The city has spent millions and millions of dollars on this issue, but has not been able to make many dents. Hopefully the new mayor, with a fresh look at the issue, will be able to address the issue. It is creeping out of the city and into the suburbs as well. There are a lot of services available that many do not take advantage of due to rules. No drugs, no pets, no fighting, etc... So many choose to live in those camps even when offered alternatives. I have no problem with the city clearing out homeless camps. It is a public safety issue, both for the homeless themselves (murders, stabbings and shootings aren't uncommon), and for the rest of the citizenry. We can't allow lawlessness to take over the streets of the city, but at the same time we need to be compassionate about how we treat everyone. There is no simple, jingoistic solution to this issue. It is multi-faceted, and very complex. We can't just remove them all and expect them to pick themselves up. We also can't simply ignore the issue and allow the camps to grow and proliferate.

prism said:

I understand the intent of this thread is well meaning. However there seems to be a great deal of misinformation about the housing crisis, it’s causes and viable solutions. Undoubtedly  it’s a problem in the city of Seattle, and King Co. but it already extends all throughout Western WA. Which begs a question to the OP; how is it you haven’t noticed the huge increase in the number of homeless in the city of Bellingham in the last few years?

Building more shelters isn't a fix. It’s not simply a matter of providing drug or alcohol rehab.  Nor providing mental health services in the assumption that’s all it takes to solve homelessness.  I’m not saying those things aren’t needed for some that are chronically homeless.  But many living on the streets in western WA don’t have any of these issues and/or work full-time jobs.  It’s really easy to blame the homeless,  well I’m just going to say, FUCK THAT! Everyone needs permanent housing they can afford.

How do I know what I’m talking about? Last April I opened the door of my apt in Bellingham to find a 20-day notice to vacate. As did several of my other medically disabled neighbors.  In the 9 years I lived there I was a good tenant,  never did any damage or had a complaint against me. So WTF right? Quickly found out it’s totally legal  to kick month to month tenants to the curb with  just 20 days notice,  no reason required.  I did get legal help to negotiate staying another 30 days. Turns out the property management co. on behalf of the owners kicked everyone out in order to ‘remodel’ the units, thus jacking the rent from $660 to $1,200 a month. 

Thankfully I have awesome, kind friends who let me stay and couch surf with them for 2 months,  due to medical issues I would have literally died out on the streets, or out in the woods.
 
Given that I have 28 years of excellent  rental history (mostly long term) in Bellingham. And I have no criminal record. No pets. No mental illness. I don’t smoke, drink or do drugs. Always paid rent on time. I should’ve been able to find an apt no problem, right?  WRONG. None of that means a f’n thing to the vast majority of landlords and property managers.  As others have mentioned it boils down to GREED. Here they prey on naïve college students with whom they get a fast turnover (1 to 4 years)  to rent their dump. Then charge them huge fees and steal their security deposits, knowing students have neither the time or means to fight back. They only care about maximizing profits.

 
For each apt complex in town I could recite the rent amount, who the LL or Management was, if they accept rental assistance, and obviously if they any vacancies. I’d lose my mind if I had recall every BS excuse & NO I got simply for asking nicely.  Most were at least somewhat considerate in saying no, while others were flat out asshats.  I went to numerous property management offices to hand out my rental resume, which were likely trashed without anyone reading it.

There’s a number of obstacles low-income people face in finding a place to live. I’ll just address some of what I experienced in Bellingham.  Such as ‘source of income’ discrimination.  LLs and PMs requiring proof of employment with income 3x’s the rent.
Age restrictions, being too young for many complexes which require tenants be 55 & over, no exceptions.
Requiring first, & last months rent plus equal amount security deposit up front, which doesn’t include separate application  and administrative fees. Considering the average 1-bd in Bellingham rents for $950 a month (as of last Aug) do the math. How does someone on a limited income come up with that kind of  $$$. 

Unfortunately  landlords and property managers have gobs of lobbyist on both the local & state level fighting for their right to be unrestricted greed monsters.  

Here’s an article which covers much of what I’m talking about.  Despite my shyness  I got up and spoke at the town hall mentioned in the article,  and spoke another time in front of the Mayor and City council urging them to pass an ordinance to prohibit source of income discrimination.  http://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article163116298.html  

I have to give props to the Bellingham Tenants Union  for bringing many of these issues to light. I was approached last summer  by a couple of founding members who sought my input.  I’m grateful for their efforts trying to educate those that have turned a blind eye to the homeless crisis in Bellingham/ Whatcom Co. They ROCK!  https://www.facebook.com/BhamTenantUnion/

 

 Last but not least I'm incredibly happy that Pearl Jam is raising money and awareness for the many displaced/homeless people in Seattle. 

riley540 said:

prism said:

I understand the intent of this thread is well meaning. However there seems to be a great deal of misinformation about the housing crisis, it’s causes and viable solutions. Undoubtedly  it’s a problem in the city of Seattle, and King Co. but it already extends all throughout Western WA. Which begs a question to the OP; how is it you haven’t noticed the huge increase in the number of homeless in the city of Bellingham in the last few years?

Building more shelters isn't a fix. It’s not simply a matter of providing drug or alcohol rehab.  Nor providing mental health services in the assumption that’s all it takes to solve homelessness.  I’m not saying those things aren’t needed for some that are chronically homeless.  But many living on the streets in western WA don’t have any of these issues and/or work full-time jobs.  It’s really easy to blame the homeless,  well I’m just going to say, FUCK THAT! Everyone needs permanent housing they can afford.

How do I know what I’m talking about? Last April I opened the door of my apt in Bellingham to find a 20-day notice to vacate. As did several of my other medically disabled neighbors.  In the 9 years I lived there I was a good tenant,  never did any damage or had a complaint against me. So WTF right? Quickly found out it’s totally legal  to kick month to month tenants to the curb with  just 20 days notice,  no reason required.  I did get legal help to negotiate staying another 30 days. Turns out the property management co. on behalf of the owners kicked everyone out in order to ‘remodel’ the units, thus jacking the rent from $660 to $1,200 a month. 

Thankfully I have awesome, kind friends who let me stay and couch surf with them for 2 months,  due to medical issues I would have literally died out on the streets, or out in the woods.
 
Given that I have 28 years of excellent  rental history (mostly long term) in Bellingham. And I have no criminal record. No pets. No mental illness. I don’t smoke, drink or do drugs. Always paid rent on time. I should’ve been able to find an apt no problem, right?  WRONG. None of that means a f’n thing to the vast majority of landlords and property managers.  As others have mentioned it boils down to GREED. Here they prey on naïve college students with whom they get a fast turnover (1 to 4 years)  to rent their dump. Then charge them huge fees and steal their security deposits, knowing students have neither the time or means to fight back. They only care about maximizing profits.

 
For each apt complex in town I could recite the rent amount, who the LL or Management was, if they accept rental assistance, and obviously if they any vacancies. I’d lose my mind if I had recall every BS excuse & NO I got simply for asking nicely.  Most were at least somewhat considerate in saying no, while others were flat out asshats.  I went to numerous property management offices to hand out my rental resume, which were likely trashed without anyone reading it.

There’s a number of obstacles low-income people face in finding a place to live. I’ll just address some of what I experienced in Bellingham.  Such as ‘source of income’ discrimination.  LLs and PMs requiring proof of employment with income 3x’s the rent.
Age restrictions, being too young for many complexes which require tenants be 55 & over, no exceptions.
Requiring first, & last months rent plus equal amount security deposit up front, which doesn’t include separate application  and administrative fees. Considering the average 1-bd in Bellingham rents for $950 a month (as of last Aug) do the math. How does someone on a limited income come up with that kind of  $$$. 

Unfortunately  landlords and property managers have gobs of lobbyist on both the local & state level fighting for their right to be unrestricted greed monsters.  

Here’s an article which covers much of what I’m talking about.  Despite my shyness  I got up and spoke at the town hall mentioned in the article,  and spoke another time in front of the Mayor and City council urging them to pass an ordinance to prohibit source of income discrimination.  http://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article163116298.html  

I have to give props to the Bellingham Tenants Union  for bringing many of these issues to light. I was approached last summer  by a couple of founding members who sought my input.  I’m grateful for their efforts trying to educate those that have turned a blind eye to the homeless crisis in Bellingham/ Whatcom Co. They ROCK!  https://www.facebook.com/BhamTenantUnion/

 

 Last but not least I'm incredibly happy that Pearl Jam is raising money and awareness for the many displaced/homeless people in Seattle. 

I have lived in Bellingham for the past two years now, and just bought a condo with my fiancé with an FHA loan, which is something that many HOAs in Bellingham have so that you can more easily afford to purchase a place. 
We also rent our master bedroom and bathroom toba couple that goes to the community college. They signed a contract to live in our place. We are pretty relaxed people, but as property owners we reserve the right to ask them to leave at any time. 
I know it’s shitty that you were asked to leave your place, but ultimately you don’t own it. 
Bellingham is growing rapidly. There is a demand for housing, so the prices are going to rise. We listed our room for rent and we got offered $200 more for it than we were asking. 
There are rumors that amazon wants to have a location near Bellingham which would give the community job growth. Something I learned a while back from an Econ teacher that I had is that the economy is its own breathing organism and we cant screw with it. 
There are many charitable organizations and many good people who offer help to those less fortunate, but I you can’t afford to live in a city, maybe it isn’t the right city. 
Stuff costs what people are willing to pay. 

Justvmy opinion on things. We bought a condo as a long term rental investment, because real estate seems to be the thing over here in Bellingham. Going to school for my home inspection license next week! 

Dont take this as me as me not wanting to help people, because I am a huge advocate for that. 

riley540 said:

tempo_n_groove said:

riley540 said:

prism said:

I understand the intent of this thread is well meaning. However there seems to be a great deal of misinformation about the housing crisis, it’s causes and viable solutions. Undoubtedly  it’s a problem in the city of Seattle, and King Co. but it already extends all throughout Western WA. Which begs a question to the OP; how is it you haven’t noticed the huge increase in the number of homeless in the city of Bellingham in the last few years?

Building more shelters isn't a fix. It’s not simply a matter of providing drug or alcohol rehab.  Nor providing mental health services in the assumption that’s all it takes to solve homelessness.  I’m not saying those things aren’t needed for some that are chronically homeless.  But many living on the streets in western WA don’t have any of these issues and/or work full-time jobs.  It’s really easy to blame the homeless,  well I’m just going to say, FUCK THAT! Everyone needs permanent housing they can afford.

How do I know what I’m talking about? Last April I opened the door of my apt in Bellingham to find a 20-day notice to vacate. As did several of my other medically disabled neighbors.  In the 9 years I lived there I was a good tenant,  never did any damage or had a complaint against me. So WTF right? Quickly found out it’s totally legal  to kick month to month tenants to the curb with  just 20 days notice,  no reason required.  I did get legal help to negotiate staying another 30 days. Turns out the property management co. on behalf of the owners kicked everyone out in order to ‘remodel’ the units, thus jacking the rent from $660 to $1,200 a month. 

Thankfully I have awesome, kind friends who let me stay and couch surf with them for 2 months,  due to medical issues I would have literally died out on the streets, or out in the woods.
 
Given that I have 28 years of excellent  rental history (mostly long term) in Bellingham. And I have no criminal record. No pets. No mental illness. I don’t smoke, drink or do drugs. Always paid rent on time. I should’ve been able to find an apt no problem, right?  WRONG. None of that means a f’n thing to the vast majority of landlords and property managers.  As others have mentioned it boils down to GREED. Here they prey on naïve college students with whom they get a fast turnover (1 to 4 years)  to rent their dump. Then charge them huge fees and steal their security deposits, knowing students have neither the time or means to fight back. They only care about maximizing profits.

 
For each apt complex in town I could recite the rent amount, who the LL or Management was, if they accept rental assistance, and obviously if they any vacancies. I’d lose my mind if I had recall every BS excuse & NO I got simply for asking nicely.  Most were at least somewhat considerate in saying no, while others were flat out asshats.  I went to numerous property management offices to hand out my rental resume, which were likely trashed without anyone reading it.

There’s a number of obstacles low-income people face in finding a place to live. I’ll just address some of what I experienced in Bellingham.  Such as ‘source of income’ discrimination.  LLs and PMs requiring proof of employment with income 3x’s the rent.
Age restrictions, being too young for many complexes which require tenants be 55 & over, no exceptions.
Requiring first, & last months rent plus equal amount security deposit up front, which doesn’t include separate application  and administrative fees. Considering the average 1-bd in Bellingham rents for $950 a month (as of last Aug) do the math. How does someone on a limited income come up with that kind of  $$$. 

Unfortunately  landlords and property managers have gobs of lobbyist on both the local & state level fighting for their right to be unrestricted greed monsters.  

Here’s an article which covers much of what I’m talking about.  Despite my shyness  I got up and spoke at the town hall mentioned in the article,  and spoke another time in front of the Mayor and City council urging them to pass an ordinance to prohibit source of income discrimination.  http://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article163116298.html  

I have to give props to the Bellingham Tenants Union  for bringing many of these issues to light. I was approached last summer  by a couple of founding members who sought my input.  I’m grateful for their efforts trying to educate those that have turned a blind eye to the homeless crisis in Bellingham/ Whatcom Co. They ROCK!  https://www.facebook.com/BhamTenantUnion/

 

 Last but not least I'm incredibly happy that Pearl Jam is raising money and awareness for the many displaced/homeless people in Seattle. 

I have lived in Bellingham for the past two years now, and just bought a condo with my fiancé with an FHA loan, which is something that many HOAs in Bellingham have so that you can more easily afford to purchase a place. 
We also rent our master bedroom and bathroom toba couple that goes to the community college. They signed a contract to live in our place. We are pretty relaxed people, but as property owners we reserve the right to ask them to leave at any time. 
I know it’s shitty that you were asked to leave your place, but ultimately you don’t own it. 
Bellingham is growing rapidly. There is a demand for housing, so the prices are going to rise. We listed our room for rent and we got offered $200 more for it than we were asking. 
There are rumors that amazon wants to have a location near Bellingham which would give the community job growth. Something I learned a while back from an Econ teacher that I had is that the economy is its own breathing organism and we cant screw with it. 
There are many charitable organizations and many good people who offer help to those less fortunate, but I you can’t afford to live in a city, maybe it isn’t the right city. 
Stuff costs what people are willing to pay. 

Justvmy opinion on things. We bought a condo as a long term rental investment, because real estate seems to be the thing over here in Bellingham. Going to school for my home inspection license next week! 

Dont take this as me as me not wanting to help people, because I am a huge advocate for that. 

It almost sounds like if you didn't rent out your master bedroom that you couldn't live there either?!?

If we have extra space and can cut down the mortgage cost, why wouldn’t we? I’m all about saving money! Which is why I don’t like renting, and why I have no issue renting extra space to friends 

tempo_n_groove said:

prism said:

I understand the intent of this thread is well meaning. However there seems to be a great deal of misinformation about the housing crisis, it’s causes and viable solutions. Undoubtedly  it’s a problem in the city of Seattle, and King Co. but it already extends all throughout Western WA. Which begs a question to the OP; how is it you haven’t noticed the huge increase in the number of homeless in the city of Bellingham in the last few years?

Building more shelters isn't a fix. It’s not simply a matter of providing drug or alcohol rehab.  Nor providing mental health services in the assumption that’s all it takes to solve homelessness.  I’m not saying those things aren’t needed for some that are chronically homeless.  But many living on the streets in western WA don’t have any of these issues and/or work full-time jobs.  It’s really easy to blame the homeless,  well I’m just going to say, FUCK THAT! Everyone needs permanent housing they can afford.

How do I know what I’m talking about? Last April I opened the door of my apt in Bellingham to find a 20-day notice to vacate. As did several of my other medically disabled neighbors.  In the 9 years I lived there I was a good tenant,  never did any damage or had a complaint against me. So WTF right? Quickly found out it’s totally legal  to kick month to month tenants to the curb with  just 20 days notice,  no reason required.  I did get legal help to negotiate staying another 30 days. Turns out the property management co. on behalf of the owners kicked everyone out in order to ‘remodel’ the units, thus jacking the rent from $660 to $1,200 a month. 

Thankfully I have awesome, kind friends who let me stay and couch surf with them for 2 months,  due to medical issues I would have literally died out on the streets, or out in the woods.
 
Given that I have 28 years of excellent  rental history (mostly long term) in Bellingham. And I have no criminal record. No pets. No mental illness. I don’t smoke, drink or do drugs. Always paid rent on time. I should’ve been able to find an apt no problem, right?  WRONG. None of that means a f’n thing to the vast majority of landlords and property managers.  As others have mentioned it boils down to GREED. Here they prey on naïve college students with whom they get a fast turnover (1 to 4 years)  to rent their dump. Then charge them huge fees and steal their security deposits, knowing students have neither the time or means to fight back. They only care about maximizing profits.

 
For each apt complex in town I could recite the rent amount, who the LL or Management was, if they accept rental assistance, and obviously if they any vacancies. I’d lose my mind if I had recall every BS excuse & NO I got simply for asking nicely.  Most were at least somewhat considerate in saying no, while others were flat out asshats.  I went to numerous property management offices to hand out my rental resume, which were likely trashed without anyone reading it.

There’s a number of obstacles low-income people face in finding a place to live. I’ll just address some of what I experienced in Bellingham.  Such as ‘source of income’ discrimination.  LLs and PMs requiring proof of employment with income 3x’s the rent.
Age restrictions, being too young for many complexes which require tenants be 55 & over, no exceptions.
Requiring first, & last months rent plus equal amount security deposit up front, which doesn’t include separate application  and administrative fees. Considering the average 1-bd in Bellingham rents for $950 a month (as of last Aug) do the math. How does someone on a limited income come up with that kind of  $$$. 

Unfortunately  landlords and property managers have gobs of lobbyist on both the local & state level fighting for their right to be unrestricted greed monsters.  

Here’s an article which covers much of what I’m talking about.  Despite my shyness  I got up and spoke at the town hall mentioned in the article,  and spoke another time in front of the Mayor and City council urging them to pass an ordinance to prohibit source of income discrimination.  http://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article163116298.html  

I have to give props to the Bellingham Tenants Union  for bringing many of these issues to light. I was approached last summer  by a couple of founding members who sought my input.  I’m grateful for their efforts trying to educate those that have turned a blind eye to the homeless crisis in Bellingham/ Whatcom Co. They ROCK!  https://www.facebook.com/BhamTenantUnion/

 

 Last but not least I'm incredibly happy that Pearl Jam is raising money and awareness for the many displaced/homeless people in Seattle. 

San Francisco is experiencing the same problem as what you've described and they do have very strict laws to prevent "remodeling and rent hikes."

Unfortunately no such laws or rent controls against landlords hiking up rents as much as they want to here, no matter the reason. While some individual cities in Washington 'might' have such protections, most don't and there's no WA state laws preventing it.