Seattle is the latest city to declare a state of emergency in response to homelessness in the city. Los Angeles, Portland, and Hawaii took similar steps in recent months.
"Comparing the devastation of homelessness to flood and fire, local leaders Monday declared states of emergency in Seattle and King County, hoping to secure additional money and potentially loosen regulations to combat the problem," report Daniel Beekman and Jack Broom.
The article notes that Seattle follows Los Angeles and Portland, which took similar measures in September. The state of Hawaii made a similar announcement in October.
Seattle's homeless counts have seen a dramatic uptick this year compared to last. "Last winter’s One Night Count found 3,772 people without shelter in King County, including more than 2,800 in Seattle — a 21 percent increase over 2014," according to the article.
Mayor Ed Murray and King County Executive Dow Constantine are both quoted in the article comparing the devastation of homelessness to that of natural disasters. They are both pushing both the state and the federal government to respond to homelessness as they would to calamities of Mother Nature, such as fires, floods, or earthquakes. The article includes a lot more detail about the current efforts to provide shelter and services to the growing homeless population in King County.
FULL STORY: Mayor, county exec declare ‘state of emergency’ over homelessness
Seattle Sweep of Unhoused Encampments Draws Criticism
The city denies that the timing of clearing a camp populated by unhoused residents was related to the upcoming MLB All-Star Game.
Seattle's Homeless Bearing the Brunt of Helmet Citations
Almost half of bike helmet citations in the city are issued to people experiencing homelessness.
Tax on High Earners Proposed to Fund Homeless Services in Seattle's King County
The Washington State Legislature is proposing a type of tax that the city of Seattle tried, and failed, to implement a few years go.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees
More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?
Opinion: California’s SB 79 Would Improve Housing Affordability and Transit Access
A proposed bill would legalize transit-oriented development statewide.
Record Temperatures Prompt Push for Environmental Justice Bills
Nevada legislators are proposing laws that would mandate heat mitigation measures to protect residents from the impacts of extreme heat.
Downtown Pittsburgh Set to Gain 1,300 New Housing Units
Pittsburgh’s office buildings, many of which date back to the early 20th century, are prime candidates for conversion to housing.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service