South Sound police department program assisting the homeless set to expand in Olympia
The Crisis Response Unit within the Olympia Police Department launched only a few years ago after voters approved funding. It aims to help people suffering from mental health, addiction or housing crises find a pathway off the streets.
Auburn City Council makes it a criminal penalty to camp on public property
The city of Auburn has passed new legislation, making it a criminal penalty to camp on public property within the city.
Man arrested in Seattle for setting up camp in stranger's basement
A man experiencing homelessness was arrested this week for reportedly setting up camp in a stranger's basement and eating the food in her downstairs refrigerator.
New Tacoma program will pay people experiencing homelessness to clean up trash
A new program starting in Tacoma looks to not only clean up the streets, but to help people who are most in need get back onto their feet.
Local little league says children are threatened at Seattle parks
A local little league said it's not safe anymore to have their kids on a Seattle playfield.
Downtown Seattle hotel reopens as temporary homeless shelter
The City of Seattle is opening two downtown Seattle hotels as temporary shelters with over 200 units available for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Report: Washington state homelessness increased 6.2%
Washington state experienced one of the largest estimated increases in homelessness between 2019 and 2020 relative to other states in the U.S., according to recently released data from an annual report to Congress.
Seattle region hires first head of homelessness authority
Elected leaders and people who’ve been homeless from Seattle and its suburbs voted Thursday to choose the region’s first leader of the region’s homelessness response.
Homeless encampments cleared from Bellingham parks twice in 3 days
Bellingham city leaders are struggling to find a solution for the campers moving from park to park: they have offered shelter, but ultimately they "can't tell people where to go."
Everett City Council adopts controversial 'no sit, no lie' ordinance targeting homeless
The proposal targets the homeless population who gather under and around the I-5 overpass on Smith Avenue, prompting complaints from area business owners about trash and crime.
Washington state justices weigh towing of vehicles of homeless
Lawyers for a man forced to sleep outside after Seattle police had the truck he was living in towed asked the Washington Supreme Court on Thursday to declare such impoundments unlawful.
Crews clear another major Bellingham homeless encampment, but residents fear they'll move to another park
Crews cleared a large homeless encampment from a Bellingham public space for the second time in less than two months, but tents are already popping up at another park.
Bellingham mother demands action on safety around homeless camps after man gropes her 11-year-old daughter
A Bellingham mother is demanding action regarding safety around homeless encampments in her neighborhood after a man groped her 11-year-old daughter while she waited for a ride home from gymnastics practice.
Some Seattle business owners are at their breaking point over crime
"I can’t run a business with a bunch of tents in front of your store; it's impossible."
Mercer Island City Council approves public camping ban aimed at homeless
Supporters of the measure said they've seen an increase in shoplifting and that non-enforcement invites more homeless to the island. Opponents argue there's not enough shelter space to make the law enforceable.
At least one person injured in explosion at Bellingham homeless camp
One person was sent to the hospital with minor burns following an explosion at a Bellingham homeless camp.
Warming shelters now open in King County ahead of winter weather
King County and Seattle have opened severe weather shelters to keep the homeless warm ahead of expected winter weather this week.
Employees, guests forced to take shelter after group tries to take over Olympia hotel
Employees and guests at an Olympia hotel had to take shelter for several hours Sunday after a homeless activist group tried to take over and give beds to people experiencing homelessness.
'Probably wouldn't have survived': Man thanks Tacoma shelter for help in the winter months
The city of Tacoma will open a temporary warming shelter in the northeast neighborhood by the end of the month, a topic that has caused controversy in the community.
Person who died at Renton homeless hotel was COVID-19 positive
One person has died in the midst of a coronavirus outbreak at a hotel in Renton where more than 200 homeless are sheltered, according to King County officials.