The mayor and City Council of Seattle will consider a controversial measure to combat its surging homeless population.
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray proposed the construction of three tent encampments as a temporary measure to provide shelter for the city's growing homeless population, according to an article by Alan Pyke. The city already has six authorized homeless camps, required to move every few months.
Mayor Murray announced the idea with an official statement describing the proposed legislation that would move the proposal forward. According to that statement, Mayor Murray is proposing the "permitted" encampments for vacant properties in non-residential areas. The encampments will also not be permitted on city-owned park property.
Pyke's coverage of the proposal details the ongoing debate about whether tent cities can be successful in addressing homelessness. Murray's proposal addresses at least one of the recommended best practices for tent city arrangements—leveraging social service organizations to connect tent city residents with permanent housing solutions.
Victoria Caliere also reported on the proposal for Reuters, focusing on the data showing the growing homeless problem in Seattle.
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