“No New Residents Permitted” proclaims the sign posted by KCRHA outside the Burien Courthouse Homeless Camp. However, the county did not give a “closure” date.
Over six weeks ago, on August 14, 2024, King County Executive Dow Constantine pronounced that the homeless camp across from the District Courthouse in Burien would vacated, promising that the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) would find housing and shelter for the campers “within 4 to 6 weeks.” That day is today, September 30.
However, instead of meeting their deadline, KCRHA posted this sign on the (recently installed) permanent fence around the courthouse tents:
The new sign reads:
Encampment Closure Planned
No New Residents Permitted
King County District Courthouse:
“This area is planned for resolution by KCRHA, in collaboration with King County, the Burien Police Department, the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program, and REACH.
“The encampment located adjacent to the District Court building in Burien is scheduled to be closed and transitioned back to the property owner after lodging resources are located for all individuals who are living onsite and included in the by-name list of consistant residents established through an intensive multi-week outreach effort. That list has already been closed and no new individuals will be added to it.
“People who are not on this list are encouraged to utilize other sleeping arrangements or locations. Camping at this site will not be permitted after the resolution date. For shelter resources, please call 211 or visit kcrha.org/for-people-experiencing-homelessness.”
We submitted the following questions to the County Executive and to KCRHA, and we will post their responses. We hope to be able to represent KCRHA with good answers.
1. When will the camp be closed? Dow Constantine promised it would be closed by the end of September, today. Why was that not honored? (9/30/24)
2. How can the Burien Police Department help when the Sheriff says it is not legal to move the campers out. Is the Sheriff going to follow the law this time? What is the current KCSO policy?
3. REACH has proven to be an ineffective program. What makes KCRHA think they will be effective now?
4. How many are on the list?
5. How many living the county camp are not on the list?
6. Where will they go? Will they be encouraged to find another place in Burien? If so the BPD going be allowed and instructed to follow Burien’s Camping Ordinance 832, the law?
7. Where did the housing for the placements come from?Â
8. How will KCRHA keep new folks from coming in? Have you posted security?Â
We also reached out to Burien’s new police chief and Burien’s homeless outreach provider to learn more about the plan to “close and transition back” this property. We will report as we learn more.
One Response
When they close these things how many times does the same homeless person show up? If they’ve refused resources at one camp then show up at another and another what is the plan by KC then?