Burien considers citywide public camping ban

Hiram Diaz has been living on Burien’s streets for just a few months but already says he’s had to move multiple times around the city, and it’s hard to keep up.
“They don’t accept us because we’re not wealthy or dressed nice like them or on their level,” Diaz said.
But Diaz may have to get ready to move again.
During Monday’s city council meeting, Burien leaders met to discuss what can be done to address camping on public property in the city.
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[@ChristopherSEA]

Stop allowing developers build apartments that charge $3000/month for rent! I hate seeing all these homeless camps, druggies, bums and insane people destroying our quality of life.

[@leelaural]

don't you get it?....most of them do not want to live under rules....

[@KHallesy]

Its not because of developers. There are more jobs than people and there are places available for rent for 800 a month in Burien. Or 1 bedrooms for 1000. If two people share a 1 bedroom thats 500 each. Most of the homeless are addicted to drugs and alcohol and that is the problem. Not all there are about 20 percent of the homeless who are down on their luck and need help. But according to all the studies I have seen approx. 80 percent are struggling with some form of addiction. I believe the citizens are willing to help those who are willing to help themselves. I believe free drug and alcohol treatment should be offered to all who ask for it. I also believe we need to have walk in clinics and free hospital stays for all mental issues. The public will have extra expenses but if we can help some get off drugs and alcohol and become productive members of society its worth it. Perhaps free vocational program to all who complete a 90 day inpatient treatment as a reward and as long as they pass their urine tests can continue in the vocational training for free. Jail serves no one, homelessness is a form of suffering. Doing nothing is not showing love or compassion. People care but there are no easy answers.

[@theotheleo6830]

The vast majority of them are addicts. They won't spend what little money they have on rent; instead, they'll spend it all on dope and alcohol.

[@Mario-tl7ff]

What makes you think they want to pay any amount of rent?

[@craigstaul839]

Back in the late 80s early 90s all of capital hill, belltown, downtown WERE efficiency apartments for like $250-300/mo. Or less. Mortgages were seriously like $300/mo. While hroin was popular then too, the people who did those narcotics COULD still afford their rent. I think the comment about $3k/mo is accurate.

[@Brandon-wo2tz]

Of course they don't have any place else to go - that's why they're there to begin with!!!

[@twostop6895]

they belong in jail

[@danasmith858]

They're there because they can get their drugs. If you eliminate their drug dealers they will have to leave

[@tomtroy3792]

Labor Day weekend and some people don't want me to go camping

[@MrDarren5012]

Mmm..there was always a camping ban

[@iknow9894]

Cheaper housing you Dodos!

[@ent1039]

hard problem to solve

[@A3Kr0n]

This is not going to get better, so it's time for plan B.

[@dicktracy5234]

It's big business. So it will never go away.

[@Mario-tl7ff]

He's def not having s problem getting food in his mouth.

[@davidelliott9661]

It has nothing to do with being wealthy it has to do with wanting to work and having some integrity in your life. Have some integrity in your life. Everyone works. Pick your ass up and get a job. Go to a rescue mission and get some help and get a job and save money and quit making excuses.

[@ullebor]

Sure bro.

[@sKysthelimit25]

Why dont they invite the homeless people and come up with something together?

[@thelatenightattempts]

Yea, they are great with life decisions. Let's leave it up them.

[@leelaural]

our country has a very serious weight problem...

[@Liberty2358]

How do we ensure the vast majority of the law-abiding taxpayer's rights are protected? Current policy seem one sided.

[@nightcritterz]

There needs to be some rebuilding of these people before housing will help them. until they're off the fent, giving them a home is just giving them a nice coffin to die in. they need treatment. anyone not on drugs either needs psychiatric treatment or is truly "down on their luck", in that case they can get the help they need too. put my wa cares taxes to that.

[@seattleric007]

Yes band them they can go to San Francisco

[@ullebor]

Or solve the problem with overpriced housing costs.

[@danasmith858]

Free bus tickets is your cheapest option