Redmond's Homeless Hotel - A Recovery Resource

 National Recovery Month 

In the September 7th Business council meeting Mayor Birney proclaimed September as National Recovery Month.   Immediately afterwards, during "Items From The Audience," over 15 individuals vehemently spoke against the Silver Cloud Homeless Hotel, some even challenging Mayor Birney. They were bothered by poor notice, poor information on how the hotel will operate, it's location near 12 schools, absence of long and short term goals, and other issues. Unfortunately, the hotel will be low barrier. 

Stigmatism of the mentally ill at the meeting was at an all time high. The importance of consistent medical pharmaceutical treatment was barely addressed.  Hotel shelter and socialization with case managers would provide a safe environment to reliably facilitate medical management.  

In each weekly report I will address one mental health and/or substance abuse topic relevant to the Homeless Hotel.  My first topic is the mentally ill and "acts of violence":

SUMMARY:

1. Most individuals with serious mental illness are not dangerous.
2. Most acts of violence are committed by individuals who are not mentally ill.
3. Individuals with serious mental illness are victimized by violent acts more often than they commit violent acts.
4. Being a young male or a substance abuser (alcohol or drugs) is a greater risk factor for violent behavior than being mentally ill.
5. No evidence suggests that people with serious mental illness receiving effective treatment are more dangerous than individuals in the general population.

That being said, a small number of individuals with serious mental illnesses commit acts of violence. Individuals who are not being treated commit almost all acts of violence; many of them also abusing alcohol or drugs.

Source: "Treatment Advocacy Center"

-- Bob Yoder, 9/13/2021

Opinion: Light Rail And Homeless People In Redmond

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.    

-- Bob Yoder, 8/25/2021

New Challenges For COVID-19 Homeless

Presentations by:  Beverly Mesa-Zendt, Human Services Manager 425-556-2423 Tisza Rutherford, Homeless Outreach Administrator 425-553-7093 Planning and Community Development IV.

DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND While there have been new challenges due to the pandemic and staffing transitions these last few months, the City’s new Homeless Outreach Program Administrator has been working to identify and resolve gaps and barriers for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Current challenges:

• COVID-19 has created many additional barriers, including charging stations for cell phones, lack of places to stay during the day, and closure of state offices and needed services (e.g. ID cards, driver’s licenses). Treatment centers currently are only providing tele-health, which is difficult for those without phones, limited minutes, or little technology skills. 

• With more community members sheltering in place, police have reported an increase in calls from individuals just now “noticing” individuals sleeping outside or in parked cars. These calls have burdened police to respond to situations that are not classified as criminal activity.

• There has been an increase in transient populations arriving in Redmond from Seattle. This is partly due to the current unrest in Seattle, and to reduced or eliminated bus routes.

• Deferred parks maintenance has led to overgrowth in areas bordering private and commercial property. This sometimes results in development of new encampments. Outreach staff has coordinated with Parks to cut back and maintain identified areas so they are not as appealing for camps to establish. Current work underway: The Homeless Outreach Administrator:

State Performance Audit On Student Homelessness

The homeless are not always who you think they are.
Internet

Opportunities to Better Identify and Serve K-12 Students Experiencing Homelessness:

Washington has the eighth-highest rate of identified student homelessness in the country. The number of identified homeless students in Washington’s kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) education system has grown to more than 40,000. This marks more than a 30 percent increase in student homelessness between the 2012-13 and 2016-17 school years.

Mayor Marchione Responds to City of Everett's Initiative to Transfer Land for Mentally Ill Homeless

Below is an "Everett Herald" article announcing the transfer:

City votes to transfer land for homeless, mental ill housing

Everett Herald, Updated: Jan 4, 2018 - 11:34 AM 

EVERETT, Wash. - The Everett City Council voted to approve the plans for low-barrier housing and to transfer land to Catholic Housing Services.

The Everett Herald reports the Safe Streets housing project on Berkshire Drive is set to be a 65-unit complex with around-the-clock staffing primarily for the chronically homeless or those living with mental illness.

Tenants cannot have convictions for arson, sex crimes or producing methamphetamine.

About half the residents would be from Everett.

The construction budget is $10.5 million. Most of the costs are borne by Catholic Housing Services and funded by tax credits and grants, which the city helped secure.

Groundbreaking is planned for later this month.

Rendering of Everett's "Safe Street project"

Mayor Marchone's comment on the Everett Herald article:

"Thank you Bob. We are always interested in, and staff work to stay apprised of, what other jurisdictions are doing to address the challenge of homelessness.  That said, not every strategy is appropriate for every jurisdiction.  Everett is essentially the Seattle of Snohomish County, with both the largest population and greatest concentration of resources.

As one of many connected suburban cities, Redmond works closely with our Eastside neighbors to craft policies and strategies that will serve the sub-region as a whole.  In addition, Redmond has been very proactive in developing strategies focused on our local community. 

I appointed a Community Task Force on Homelessness in 2016 that developed a list of recommended action items.  A recent staff report to the City Council summarized the status of those action items which have been almost completely implemented.  

Two key strategies to emerge included the addition of a dedicated outreach specialist to work in partnership with the Redmond Police, and a new website to provide information about homelessness in general, and ways that individual community members can get involved.  I encourage you to check it out:  http://www.redmond.gov/Residents/homelessness

Our activities in 2018 will include an exploration of what we as a community should do to most effectively further this work.  We will make sure you are included when we reach out to the community on this topic.

Thanks again and Happy New Year."

John

John Marchione

Mayor │ City of Redmond

(: 425.556.2101 | *: mayor@redmond.gov | Redmond.gov

MS: 4NEX │ 15670 NE 85^th St │ Redmond, WA 98052

      

   NOTICE OF PUBLIC DISCLOSURE: This e-mail account is public domain. Any correspondence from or to this e-mail account is a public

   record. Accordingly, this e-mail, in whole or in part, may be subject to disclosure pursuant to RCW 42.56, regardless of any claim of

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Artest's rendering of the project:  

The Mayor approved my posting of his letter.

-----Original Message-----

From: Bob Yoder [redmondblog@gmail.com]
Received: Thursday, 04 Jan 2018, 10:55PM
To: Mayor (Internet) [Mayor@redmond.gov]
Subject: Homeless housing

Hi Mr. Mayor, 

I thought you'd be interested in what Everett is doing for their mentally ill homeless.  

http://www.kiro7.com/news/north-sound-news/city-votes-to-transfer-land-for-homeless-mental-ill-housing/676269846

Ordinance Prohibits Camping In Parks And Public Spaces, When Overnight Shelters Are Available

Internet photo (not in Redmond)

Consideration of Ordinance No. 2911: An Ordinance Amending Sections 9.33.010 Through 9.33.030 of the Redmond Municipal Code and Adding a New Section 9.33.035 in Order to:

Prohibit Camping and Storage of Personal Property in Parks and in Order to Prohibit Camping and Storage of Personal Property on Other Public Property When Overnight Shelter Space is Available; Authorizing the Police Chief to Adopt Rules and Regulations for Enforcement.

Below is a partial accounting of Council's Janurary 2nd decision-making process in approving the ordinance:

 1)  Mr. Haney, the city attorney advised Council to pass the ordinance to be in compliance with Federal law related to a Boise court case citing 8th Amendment rights.

2)  Council member Anderson moved to amend Ordinance No. 2911 to add the definition “Overnight Shelter” be defined as a public or private shelter, with an available overnight space for one or more individuals.

Anderson's motion was seconded by Council member Fields.  VOTE: Ms. Anderson's motion to amend failed with Council members Anderson and Fields in support (2 – 5).

3)  Mr. Fields asked if the City's municipal campus is an example of public shelter space and someone (staff, attorney, or the mayor) said yes.

4) Mr. Fields recommended a study session before voting on the ordinance.  His concerns were 1) that he and two other council members were new and left out of earlier conversations/decisions and 2)  the ordinance may have serious consequences.  Fields recommendation was denied.  The main motion passed with Council member Fields in opposition (6 – 1).

Activist Albert Rosenthal claims "public shelter space" includes the Mayor's office and City Hall business floors. To read a letter he wrote the Mayor and Council "READ MORE."  He will be addressing Council during Items from the Audience at their next regular meeting, 2/16/2017 7:30 pm. 

B. Yoder, opinion

Homelessness in Redmond From High Rents

Friday, March 17, 2017

Homelessness in Redmond

Many of the homeless in Redmond are invisible and the statistics are startling:  

According to a city web page:  

1.  357 homeless kids in the Lake Washington School District are homeless.

2.  There's a 39% increase in homelessness for every $100 increase in rent.

3.  Homeless families wait 6 months on average for housing in King County.  

Bob Yoder

I'm reposting this March article to share and understand Cloverleaf's invisible family struggles associated with our rapid rent increases:

"It's a true one though. Many like my family stay invisible. All it takes is a price jump at the same time as a life change [divorce?] to create an eviction judgement. Even if you reinstated 2 days later. The effects last for a few years. I had that happen when I went from a lower paying job to a higher paying job. I don't need financial help as I save. You would never know we were as we wear decent clothes, have family adventures, have good grades, and have good jobs. Our rent went up 1k in 5 years, 600 of it in the last 2."

  -- Cloverleaf, 5/25/17

Redmond Directory of Human Services

To find services now, call 2-1-1 (just like dialing 911). King County 2-1-1 Community Information line has professional information and referral specialists who can refer you to the programs best able to meet your needs. They have up to date information on more than 5,000 services and 1,500 social service agencies. 

The following is a list of programs funded in part by the City of Redmond. The City tries to support a full spectrum of services, from the basics of food and shelter to employment and counseling services. However, there are hundreds of other services available, including some additional teen resources, all accessible through 2-1-1 or on their website.

Where are all the homeless tents?

My interview with homeless sheltered in Camp Unity.  

Since writing this piece it appears the screening around the tent is partially removed from the tents.  I saw Dan in his orange vest walking the sidewalk picking up litter so his job is more than security.    

I live only a quarter mile from the St. Jude homeless encampment and walk by there often. Where are all the tents? The western parking lot is almost empty and in years past the lot was always full. What's going on?  Aren't we in a crisis?

With mild trepidation, I approached Dan, an encampment resident to try to understand the dearth of tents.  Dan is a nice guy and articulate and very graciously offered to give me a tour of the facility.

Dan wears a City of Redmond safety vest
while on security duty.  

We found only 16 tents in the "village" -- 2 of of them were empty -- and there was space for five others. My goodness!  He said most of the homeless prefer shelters where the "facilities" are nicer;

Dan said the corrupt Camp Unity board was purged last year and their new leadership is running a very tight ship. Once the "applicants" pass a warrant check, breathalyzer, and upon presenting an I.D. they are  registered and can move in.  Camp Unity charges them $30/month in dues.  It almost seems like a club. If you don't have the money they'll take cashed-in food stamps.

Dan emphasized the "crazies" and the drug infested homeless live in Bellevue's "low barrier" encampment where they'll take anyone.  He was little concerned about heroin.

For job and other personal assistance a case worker visits the encampment.  The camp (village) is on a bus line and residents have bikes to get to employers. Dan bikes down to the library. Recently a church donated a large van.  I asked if the van could transport residents to Home Depot to find day labor; Dan thought long and hard but didn't respond. If you listen to the YouTube clip, the need of WiFi for jobs and affordable housing is a high priority over community supplied food, blankets and clothing.

Bob Yoder, opinion

St. Jude hosts a car camp in the parking lot next to Camp Unity.  According to Dan, about 4-12 cars are parked there at night and the parish runs this camp.  Dinner is served inside every evening for all the homeless on site.  

Lessons learned from Redmond's homelessness forum

On November 3rd, my wife and friend John Reinke attended a forum on Homelessness at the Redmond library.  It was excellent. The panel included:  Two speakers from Hopelink (case workers,) NAMI-Eastside (a bipolar spokesperson,) Resource Police Officer Dave Sowers, Kent Hay (Redmond's homeless outreach specialist,) Karina Woodruff of Friends of Youth (FOY,) the Executive Director of Teen Feed (Seattle based,) and Mellisa Munn responsible for monitoring and enforcing the "rules of conduct." at the  Redmond Library.

We learned the homeless are welcome to the library without I.D. at any time as long as they abide by the rules of conduct. "Friends of Redmond Library" sponsors community service providers to assist the homeless at the library on the first Wednesday of every month.  Kent Hay runs the program.  .

Mr. Hay's primary job is to work with the police as a buffer to the homeless, in part, to overcome the police stereotype of crime enforcement.  In Kent's buffer role, the homeless are more approachable and receptive to human service assistance.  Officer Sowers was thrilled with Kent's police/homeless assistance and complimented Police Chief Wilson for initiating the program.

Severe mental illness is approximately four times more common in the homeless population. I asked officer Sowers what the incidence of  involuntary commitment of the mentally ill was in our community.  He couldn't answer me but indicated the commitment process in our State is very involved.  Earlier this year when I had a public coffee with the Chief Wilson I was told the police involuntarily commit about one citizen a day. I just can't believe this and emailed the Chief to clarify. She didn't respond.

The NAMI-Eastside spokesperson, a valued and generous volunteer, quoted a 60% incidence of mental illness within the homeless community.  In my opinion, 60% is too high and saying so contributes to stereotyping the homeless. Scientific literature finds 20 to 25% of the homeless population in the United States suffers from some form of severe mental illness.  Upon questioning, he clarified 60% included mild illnesses.

The Friends of Youth manager said 30% of their clients have a severe mental illness and another 30% have milder "homeless induced" illnesses.  Friends of Youth (FOY) shelter and care for the Eastside's homeless teens -- many with a: 1) mental impairment, 2) substance abuse, and/or 3) sexual abuse issue. Their extensive programs and services are described here.

The manager, Karina Woodruff, didn't know anything about HERO House -- a non profit devoted to providing the seriously mentally impaired with socialization opportunities, job rehab and housing assistance. I've attended two HERO House galas and two luncheons and have tried very hard to help them reach-out to the community for new consumers.  The House is now moving to a new location and doubling in size.  Already, they've been reaching out to Fairfaix Hospital and Swedish outpatient home clinic.  

Some of the homeless could find comfort from their belief in a God.. We need to start thinking about the usefulness of  compassionate spiritual caring and include the faith community in our discussions.

Bob Yoder, opinion

According to NAMI.org "one in five of Americans have a mental health condition in a given year".--  "Only 6% of Americans are severely mentally ill (National Institute of Mental Health, 2009.)"

What can you do to help the homeless?   There are many,many ways.

Opinion: St Jude's encampment organizer - SHARE - needs to reform their ways

 I couldn't make the "EdNHA neighborhood association" meeting last Thursday but Hank Myers  mentioned four SHARE Tent City organizers were there. No loss. I've heard their story many times.  In SHARE'S mission statement says they empower their homeless residents -- NO WAY:

1) they don't encourage or welcome on-site human service providers. 

2) they don't encourage the outside community--us--to socialize with their residents over a meal so we can get to know each other and provide mutual support. 

3) when my neighbor brought canned foods SHARE (in homeless "clothing") took the donation without welcoming my neighbor into THEIR camp. 

4) when I made an appointment to hook up SHARE with a local mental health provider SHARE never showed up. They don't take nor share human service literature with their residents. 

5) they don't encourage community service of their residents. 

Their mission statement says they empower their residents. NOT. Over my many years of visiting the St Jude camp I find SHARE are in fact, homeless activists. Yes, they help homeless survive by providing a tent, a required clean blanket once a week, and bare bones hygiene care. SHARE does not empower them to find housing, jobs, health services, a network with each other and the community 

>> St Jude offers internet service, pays for utilities, offers tent and meeting space, pays permit fees. The congregation does all the heavy lifting. Not all churches want the homeless near them. I attended a service at the Presbyterian Church on our Hill where the pastor preached he didn't welcome the homeless to his church services, nor want them around. If SHARE reformed (and the city could motivate them to reform by requiring rules that would empower residents) than my family would be more involved in caring for them. 

Bob Yoder
Facebook

Seattle Times Editorial:  

/sharhttp://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/share-should-reform-to-help-move-people-out-of-homelessness/?utm_source=The+Seattle+Times&utm_campaign=b5ab94a85b-Morning_Brief_4_08_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5beb38b61e-b5ab94a85b-121807257

City Council to Vote on Tent Encampment Ordinance April 19

March 29, 2016

Dear Editor,

There are a number of misconceptions from a previous letter (in the Redmond Reporter) on homeless encampments that we would like to address.  

Faith communities initiate the hosting of homeless encampments as a part of their religious mission and with the full support of their congregations.  Private, non-profit organizations run the encampments in partnership with the faith community. All homeless encampments need a sponsor to locate in Redmond.  

The City of Redmond does not host, sponsor or locate homeless encampments. Neither do any other Eastside cities. The homeless encampment across the street from Kirkland City Hall is sponsored by the faith community located there, not the city.

The City's role is to regulate the conditions in which encampments can operate. Currently, the City Council is looking at revisions to the current regulations required for homeless encampments when they are located within the City of Redmond. The City Council will examine site conditions such as the length of stay, the length between stays, and the permissible frequency of stays within a five-year period, as well as the mechanism to revoke a permit if there are unacceptable impacts.  Within those conditions, it is the decision of any faith community whether or not to host an encampment.

April 5th is a City Council business meeting in which anyone can testify for up to 4 minutes. On April 12th, the City Council will conduct a study session to examine the questions above. Any action the Council takes would occur on April 19th or later.

The City has a long history of working with community partners to address this very serious issue. Redmond, in collaboration with neighboring cities, dedicates significant resources to non-profit organizations that operate emergency shelters and transitional housing for the homeless. The City also supports efforts to increase the stock of available permanent low-income housing options.

And to clarify for the record, four City Council Members and the Mayor own homes on Education Hill that are proximate to those churches who have hosted encampments.  The City has limited authority over how these churches host, but not whether or not an individual congregation chooses to host.  It is within this context that we strive to make decisions for the benefit of our community within the limits of the laws governing separation of church and state.

John Marchione Hank Margeson Kimberly Allen

Mayor Council President Council Vice President

Note: This Letter was not submitted to my blog. It was forwarded to me. I'm assuming it was sent to Andy Nystrom of the Redmond Reporter.

OPINION: City of Redmond's Far-reaching Encampment Ordinance, A Regional Leader In Tent Cities?

In the April 12, 2016 Study Session Council decided to limit stays at each site to 120 days to ensure Ed Hill will not be burdened with year-round encampments. Each hosting church will have three stays with 12 months between stays for a time uncertain for each permit.  A Council Hearing will be scheduled in the near future to address organizer background checks and service provider access to the camps.

An in depth article on tent encampments in the Redmond Reporter's March 11, 2016 edition, attracted six Redmond citizens to speak at Redmond's  "Items from the Audience" in Council's March 15,2016 business meeting. (Click to watch the video)/All had safety and quality of life concerns about Council's proposed amendment to the ordinance.

Noticeably absent during the March 15 Items were ordinance advocates.  One can assume tent city advocates had been adequately heard by the Planning Commission and Council and they were fully confident the ordinance would pass.

The amendment will significantly increase the presence of camps in Redmond with potential for year-round encampments on Education Hill.  Camp stays will increase from 4 months to 6 months and stays can occur six months per year for the next five years. St Jude and Redwood Family Church are the only churches that host Redmond encampments and they are both on Education Hill.

Council Taking Comments On Controversial Tent Encampment Ordinance

NOTICE!  Re: the Redmond Zoning Code Amendment: Temporary Use Regulations for Encampments

"The Council will be discussing the revised ordinance during the New Business section of the April 5 regular business meeting prior to taking any action at that meeting. We are accepting public input by phone, email or a face to face meeting, if that is preferred right up until that meeting, where we are anticipating a vote."

~ Kim Allen, Redmond City Councilmember, Ombudsperson for March

The proposed tent encampment ordinance is a controversial amendment that will affect our neighborhoods and downtown for years to come.  Under the ordinance, tent encampments will be allowed to be sited at St Jude's and Redmond Family Church for a six month duration,at a frequency of six months per year,on a five year permit costing $1000.  

Five years is a long time for the St. Jude encampment site -- smack in the middle of four LWSD schools in the Education Hill middle class neighborhood.  In Council's last Study Session I was relieved to learn they were interested in formulating rules and regulations for the two organizing groups, ShareWheel and Camp Unity. Councilman David Carson recommended rules so the homeless residents could have better access to human services and job resources.  ShareWheel has been uncooperative in this regard.  I assume these new rules and regulations will be part of the Revision but our city Ombudsman wouldn't share specifics.

I plan to speak at Items from the Audience at Council's 7:30pm, March 15 meeting.  I hope other neighbors will show up too -- pro and con.  Yesterday, I emailed mayorcouncil@redmond.gov recommending the following ordinance revision.

I  recommend Council approves a 6-year permit for host churches and keep the frequency of encampments to every 2 or 3 years....not every year. Keep the duration at six months.  Increasing duration AND frequency at the same time hasn't been done anywhere in King County.  We are sticking our neck out too far, too fast.  Increasing duration is far more valuable than frequency because it brings stability to ALL -- the homeless, the community, and more reliable human resource & police services.

Redmond already has a growing youth homeless problem in the Downtown. Increasing the frequency to every year, will draw in the adult homeless from outside communities, counties and states because they will learn our "schedule."  Yes, homelessness has become an area-wide problem and we "must do our fair share."  But, isn't increasing the duration to six months a wonderful start?  That alone puts Redmond as the encampment leader area-wide.

Overall, we are focusing too much attention and community resources on encampments and not enough on permanent adult shelters. Bellevue,  Kirkland and Woodinville have shorter duration and frequencies and two of these cities are working on permanent adult shelters. I watch the Council meetings almost every week. I can't recall them ever discussing plans for a permanent adult shelter in Redmond.  

Bob Yoder

CC:  Redmond Reporter
Mayor & City Council

LETTER: Redmond Human Services Increases Homeless Population

What never gets reported on is how when you provide homeless services the homeless population increases. The City of Redmond is a perfect example. About three years ago Down Town Redmond did not have a significant homeless problem. But since they started providing services to young homeless men three years ago the homeless population has skyrocketed. The problem is mostly young men. 

Per the Redmond City Focus Group Minutes 21 out of 21 homeless interviewed by the City of Redmond that answered the question where they were from before they became homeless in Redmond all 21 of them gave a location other than Redmond. The interviews were conducted by Colleen Kelly the Assistant Director of Community Planning for the City of Redmond, I was at one of the interviews. The proof is in the interview minutes. If you do not believe the attachments go directly to the City web site, see below. Eight out of the twenty one persons interviewed were from another state.

Interviews of the homeless are on the City of Redmond web site here. To get to them scroll down to Focus Groups.  

The Redmond Reporter had the facts, but when they reported on the Homeless Task Force they would not report the fact that 21 out of 21 persons interviewed were not from Redmond. 

If City Hall had not given a 64.3% super majority to homeless advocates on the task force the following proposals would have been passed and reduced the imported homeless problem in Redmond at very little cost to the city:

1) Adopt a panhandling ordinance - This has been done by Tacoma and Pierce County in 2007 and 2008. Constitutionally it has not been challenged. The regulations prohibit panhandling near ATM machines, near the entrance to a business (you have to be 25' away to smoke), at night, as someone is getting out of their car (you are in a vulnerable position), etc.  Karen Reed the consultant that ran the Task Force confirmed that the ordinances have not been challenged and that the Police typically do not give fines or make arrests but use the ordinance as a tool. Currently in Redmond if a person wants to panhandle next to an ATM and a Police Officer asks him to move, the panhandler can tell him to get lost that he has every right to panhandle next to the ATM. This item got 57% support, if the Task Force had not been filled with 64.3% homeless advocates it would have been recommended.

2) Post Signs to discourage panhandling and encourage the public to give to charities instead - Being given money attracts panhandlers. If you encourage the public not to give to panhandlers directly it will help to reduce panhandling. This item got 43% support, if the Task Force had not been filled with 64.3% homeless advocates it would have been recommended.

Al Rosenthal

Redmond Homeless Task Force Member  

Building Owner, Down Town Redmond

05/2007, Mental Health & My Tent City Experience

Mental Health and my Tent City experience

Since writing my Redmond Reporter column "City Watch" my story on "Tent City" garnered quite a few inquiries for additional information.  I've responded.

MY COMMENTS & RECOMMENDATIONS:

It is evident alcohol use will never be totally eradicated from Tent City even with the "zero tolerance" Code of Conduct policy whereby residents are "disbarred" (escorted out of camp by their peers to a bus stop) when caught drinking in camp.

TC4 evictions for alcohol and disorderly conduct are conducted by tent city residents, staff, and parishioners; that's the **policy. During eviction, the police are never called to assess the evictee for health needs, counseling, escort, or even incarceration. With professional objectivity, police could decide if it's to hold the evictee at Tent City to sober up before escorting out. I would strongly encourage police be called during an eviction so professional , objective assessment can be taken. Yes, it may cost taxpayers more, but it's safer for citizens and more humane for the aflicted.

I recommend the homeless camp eviction policy be changed to include police assessment, based on the following anecdotal, documented crime:

On May 9th, one of the few TC4 related crimes by an ex-camp resident occurred; hopefully, anecdotal. The crime was serious - a harmless burglary- and required incarceration on $10,000 bail. Upon request, Redmond Police Commander, Ed Billington gave me the report. edbillington@redmond.gov . Upon further inquiry, Mr. Billington told me the burglar also knocked on residential homes asking for money and that alcohol was associated. [Tent City related "related" crimes rarely get reported. It took some digging to get this.]

Had police been present during the eviction the outcome of the eviction may have been different.

Safety & health assessments should not be left to the sole responsibility of tent city residents. Peer support should be focused to a spiritual, caring, and informational nature. e.g. contacts for AA, Hero House, NAMI , food & shelter support services should be given to the resident upon eviction. Phone communication and follow-up by a capable resident could help. Tent City evictees may be "bottoming out" from their alcohol abuse; they may need medical attention and psycho-pharmaceuticals. (Alcohol and other drugs are commonly used to "self-medicate depression and mania.)

My brother died from the isolation of a co-morbid bipolar disorder, anxiety & alcoholism. He was isolated in an apartment, unemployed, miserable from brain damage associated with medication dis-continuance. He could no longer cope. One day he stopped his medication and died. Had Rick not been isolated he might still be living. Thus, my recommendation of the humanity, kinship, and social support of a Hero House and a Tent City.

One final thought before listing support services. Why couldn't Alcoholic Anonymous conduct meetings at TC4 encampments?  [AA meeting are on-site now, as of 2011]. Not until Share/Wheel takes mental illness and substance abuse out of their closet will residents' health be addressed fully. Share Wheel's FEAR city permits will be denied when admitting a high presence of mentally ill is unfounded. The permit approvals has been tried, proven and established...time and time again.

ShareWheel should no longer need to "shelter" the mentally ill from society and their chance for better health.

Statistics - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Mental disorders are common in the United States and internationally. An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older — about one in four adults — suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. When applied to the 2004 U.S. Census residential population estimate for ages 18 and older, this figure translates to 57.7 million people.

Even though mental disorders are widespread in the population, the main burden of illness is concentrated in a much smaller proportion — about 6 percent, or 1 in 17 — who suffer from a serious mental illness. In addition, mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the U.S. and Canada for ages 15-44.

Many people suffer from more than one mental disorder at a given time. Nearly half (45 percent) of those with any mental disorder meet criteria for 2 or more disorders, with severity strongly related to co-morbidity. [mental illness and substance abuse is genetic - it can strike whole families.]

The link to NIMH is: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/ NIMH is a government site probably the most credible site for mental health information.

The incidence of serious mental illness in the homeless is about 4 X that of the general population; the homeless experience about a 23%. incidence of serious mental illness.

Serious mental illnesses and substance abuse are often associated with suicide. Some examples are: Major Depression, Classic or "mixed-mood" bipolar co-morbid with alcohol/substance abuse, Schizophrenia co-morbid with substance abuse, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder co-morbid with depression, "Soft" Bipolar (depressive type);

The incidence of alcoholism/substance abuse in the homeless is about 60%.
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"Homelessness is a growing social injustice in the United States. On any given night, approximately 600,000 Americans are homeless and more than two million people are homeless throughout the year.

According to conservative estimates, one-third of people who are homeless have serious mental illnesses, and more than one-half also have substance use disorders.

Despite the grim statistics, studies show that supported housing is an effective option for communities working to meet the needs of people with mental health disorders who are homeless. In fact, people who are homeless and have mental illnesses or co-occurring disorders are more likely to recover and stay off the streets if they have access to supported housing programs." Reference: link: http://www1.nmha.org/homeless/HousingandHomelessness.pdf
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Facts of Homelessness: http://www.nrchmi.samhsa.gov/
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Substance Abuse Statistics of the Homeless, Am J Pub Health, 2004 Jan 94(1) 103-108 The bar graph chart above, depicts the incidence of substance abuse in the homeless. You can find an explanation of the bar graph by clicking on the below link:
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1449834&rendertype=...
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***SHARE/WHEEL - Operator and Manager of Tent Cities of Puget Sound
Call 206-448-7889 [ask for AA, Hero House, and peer support]
Website: http://anitraweb.org/homelessness/faqs/tentcities.html
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HERO HOUSE - psychiatric and vocational rehabilitation and support. 9-5PM. computers for job hunting and training. subsidized lunch. van pick-up. must apply with proof of diagnosis. confidentiality secured. CALL: 425-614-1282. 14230 NE 21st Street, Bellevue, WA. 98007. http://herohouse.org/
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A.A. - Bellevue - 1299 - 156th Ave. NE. #160. CALL: 425-454-9192. http://alcoholics-anonymous.org/.