I just got home from a joyful family event in Spokane. It was tarnished by the presence of homeless people in the downtown next to the Davenport Hotel. I couldn't believe the multitude of mentally sick and druged homeless walking there. We didn't feel secure. It seemed there was one, or a group, of homeless on every sidewalk and intersection. So sad. When winter comes, perhaps the City buys them a bus ticket south? Some that don't catch the bus could die. Seriously. Spokane has a beautiful website dedicated to their homeless. My son-in-law says the plethora of City human services draws them in.
Redmond doesn't appear to have a serious problem with homelessness because most are unseen. We are known for our human service resources; our homeless people are well cared for. According to the City website only 337 were sheltered in East King County in 2019. I surmise once light rail is built-out (and taxes and rent explodes) the homeless will be more visible. I'm concerned the Silver Cloud Homeless Hotel could become a magnet for homeless tenting. I'm bothered the County/City haven't expressed their goals for homeless circulation through the hotel. For example, when do they "check out" of the hotel? Social workers will need to triage the applicants. What will happen to those beyond rehabilitation? Where will they go?
It's my understanding the City is studying how to cope with "crime" associated with light rail. What station will the homeless most use? My guess is the Overlake and Downtown urban centers, where most of the human services and safety resources are centered.
Update, 2/19/24: I took the 2-link from Redmond to Bellevue and felt very safe. They contract with a professional security company with an officer patrolling each side of the tracks. Safe patrols the train interior for service and security.
-- Bob Yoder, 8/25/2021
I agree with your sentiments about the Silver Cloud hotels. There doesn’t seem to be any accountability when officials don’t produce results with all the money that is put in.
ReplyDeleteWell said. I was shocked to hear this Homeless Hotel is barrier-free. The City and County should hire their operator soon so our communities will know how the place will be run. Surely
ReplyDeletethere are case studies from around the country that could give the City guidance and assurances. The County apparently has a FAQ sheet with positive answers and information. PLEASE CITY OF REDMOND AND KING COUNTY, GET THE WORD OUT NOW! Thank you.
Here is a frightening video on one of the other homeless hotels that King County created. Please watch it. This is what is about to come to Redmond if the Silver Cloud Inn becomes the next low to no barrier to entry homeless hotel:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUjAkusnb3I&t=1167s
Crime, prostitution, drugged out people, used needles are everywhere. The area is a parking lot of broken cars too. Drug dealing is prevalent as well. The Silver Cloud Inn will be a low barrier behavioral health issued resident shelter. King County has it slotted to be filled with drug addicts and mentally ill who will be allowed to do drugs and have alcohol at the facility. It will have no security and yet it's near 12 schools! Children walk to school. It's right next to a preschool. One block from a middle school and high school. Redmond and Bellevue is about to see the same problems as Seattle is now facing. King County's website states that this Redmond Homeless Hotel will only have anywhere from 0% to at most 15% eastside homeless. That means they will bus in Seattle's homeless to Redmond. Ordinance 3059 that was passed by the City of Redmond will allow them to not inform Redmond residents of this hotel nor the others they are looking to set up here. The Silver Cloud Inn homeless hotel will also not do background checks for sexual offenders nor for criminal histories. There is one way this can be stopped. People need to contact the City of Redmond council and Mayor to state that we the residents of Redmond do NOT want the City of Redmond to make a change of building permit occupancy to the Silver Cloud hotel that would allow it to become a homeless hotel. Please Bob and other Redmond residents, protect children and email mayorcouncil@redmong.gov