Project Homeless

Project Homeless
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I-90, I-5, and the Alaskan Way Viaduct will all be impacted by lane closures this weekend

San Diego did what Seattle didn’t: give people a safe place to sleep in cars

Richard Stanich; his wife, Ester Cruz; and their son settle in for the night next to their two vehicles at San Diego’s safe-lot program, run by the nonprofit Dreams for Change. Despite both having jobs, the couple has struggled to find affordable housing in Southern California. At the lot, the family lived out of two vehicles. (Erika Schultz/The Seattle Times)
Richard Stanich; his wife, Ester Cruz; and their son settle in for the night next to their two vehicles at San Diego's safe-lot program, run by the nonprofit Dreams for Change. Despite both having jobs, the couple has struggled to find affordable housing in Southern California. At the lot, the family lived out of two vehicles. (Erika Schultz/The Seattle Times)

Seattle has struggled to get thousands of people living in their vehicles into housing. How have programs in San Diego and Santa Barbara managed to be more successful, and cost effective?

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Matt Irvin, 36, said that he has been staying in the safe zone for about three weeks. “They told me you can’t park here, that you need a permit,” he said, of the outreach worker who first approached him. “They told me, well, I can’t get one, that they’re shutting down the program.” Nine permitted recreational vehicles remain with no new permits being issued in the City of Seattle’s last safe parking zone at Second Avenue South and South Spokane Street in the Sodo neighborhood. Wednesday April 4, 2018.

Seattle still doesn’t know what to do with thousands of people living in vehicles  WATCH

Is Seattle’s homeless crisis the worst in the country?

Seattle Police Sergeant Eric Zerr, in charge of Seattle’s Navigation Team, right, helps a resident of a homeless encampment move his belongings out of the camp on November 15, 2017. The camp, just west of the Interstate 90 Tunnel, was swept and all the residents had to relocate or find services elsewhere. The City of Seattle Navigation Team had worked with these residents for several days to help them find services and alternative shelter. 204190

Before homeless camps are cleared, a Seattle team coaxes people to shelter  WATCH

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