Seattle Times has a good question: What’s the point of the Regional Homlessness Authority?
Seattle Times has a good question: What’s the point of the Regional Homlessness Authority?
The Seattle Times has a good question – what’s the point of the Regional Homlessness Authority? Columnist Danny Westneat asked “Should we keep this agency at all?” Given their track record of spending millions up on millions of taxpayer dollars with no results, we’ve been wondering the same thing. Especially as they’re now asking for billions,...
Drugs and homelessness are a losing combination for Seattle
Drugs and homelessness are a losing combination for Seattle
With late payments and unsigned contracts to non-profit social service organizations piling up, The King County Regional Homelessness Authority is making it even harder for local organizations to serve the populations they were created to help. An article in The Seattle Times says these organizations are being forced to take on credit card debt or...
KCRHA’s tragic incompetence in addressing homelessness
KCRHA’s tragic incompetence in addressing homelessness
The King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) shocked nearly everyone earlier this year when its leaders demanded $11.8 billion to address the county’s homelessness crisis and budgeted very little of the funds to help those suffering from addiction or mental illness. This outlandish request has been criticized by people across the political spectrum, has led...
Seattle Mayor plans to focus on root causes of homelessess
Seattle Mayor plans to focus on root causes of homelessess
Mayor Bruce Harrell has announced a new plan to revive downtown Seattle. This includes a plan to tackle homelessness which gets to root issues like addictions, unlike previous plans which suggested increased spending and housing-first solutions. “I believe that the fentanyl crisis on our streets is causing death and disorder, and I can’t mince words...
Don’t be fooled by homeless spending proposals
Don’t be fooled by homeless spending proposals
Seattle is considering a major spending package to combat homelessness. What’s unclear is if this package is in addition to the $12 billion spending proposal made by the King County Regional Homelessness Authority – which does little to address the underlying causes of homelessness. KCRHA’s proposal would cost $12 billion over the next five years on...
We need a better approach to end homelessness
We need a better approach to end homelessness
The King County Regional Homeless Authority recently shared a five-year plan to end homelessness. Now that I’ve read the detailed 146-page report, I am more confident than ever that the KCRHA has no idea what they are doing. This report is just more of the things that got us into the mess in the first...
A Housing-First Approach Won’t End Homelessness
A Housing-First Approach Won’t End Homelessness
By Ginny Burton In 2015 I secured my first position with one of Washington state’s largest nonprofits in Seattle. During my interview I was asked if I could explain harm reduction. My answer, which I called a friend ahead of time to inquire, was “meeting the person where they are at.” I didn’t really understand...
There are better ways to help the homeless
There are better ways to help the homeless
Homelessness is at a crisis point in Washington. The homeless population has surpassed nearly every other state in America. The homeless are people in our communities that are struggling, and we need to help them rather than just throw taxpayer money on initiatives that do not address the underlying issues. It is no exaggeration to...
Mayor Harrell’s State of the City Speech gets 2 out of 5 Amazon stars
Mayor Harrell’s State of the City Speech gets 2 out of 5 Amazon stars
Earlier this week Mayor Bruce Harrell delivered his 2023 State of the City address, outlining his plan to combat the homelessness crisis and increased crime at a time when workers are finally returning to downtown.
We’re not done pursuing a fix to police pursuit law
We’re not done pursuing a fix to police pursuit law
While current state law unbelievably still does not allow police to vehicularly pursue most criminal suspects, we’re pursuing a fix to it this legislative session – and we need your help to make it happen.
We have a great opportunity to revitalize Seattle
We have a great opportunity to revitalize Seattle
Four city councilmembers, including Socialist councilmember Kshama Sawant, have announced they will not be running for reelection this year.
Vehicle pursuit bills would roll back the crazy
Vehicle pursuit bills would roll back the crazy
Two years ago, the majority party in the state legislature decided to go crazy on crime. This legislative session, we have an opportunity to roll some of that crazy back and restore common sense to public safety when it comes to vehicular pursuits of criminal suspects. During the 2021 legislative session, the majority party voted...
Refusing to treat homelessness as a drug addiction crisis is killing people
Refusing to treat homelessness as a drug addiction crisis is killing people
Mayor Bruce Harrell, the Seattle City Council, and regional leaders continue to treat the homelessness crisis as a housing issue despite the glaringly obvious fact that it’s driven by drug addiction. The evidence isn’t hard to find, and denying reality is causing unnecessary deaths. As reported recently by The Center Square, King County experienced a...
Our opportunity for Change starts now – and here’s how you can help
Our opportunity for Change starts now – and here’s how you can help
We hope you enjoyed the holiday season and want to welcome you all into 2023. If there is a theme this year for us at Change Washington, it’s “change things for the better.” The opportunity is there. Polling repeatedly demonstrates Seattle voters are tired of the status quo, and their numbers wanting change continues to...