Seattle’s Unique Approach to Homelessness

It is well understood that Seattle has an overwhelming population of people experiencing homelessness. Not only is the issue apparent when you walk down the street, but the numbers tell an even more shocking story.

King County recently conducted a count of people who use shelters, medical, and behavioral health services throughout an entire year. Their research found that about 40,800 people in 2020 and 45,300 people in 2019 experienced homelessness at some point.

In many cases, people living on the street do not intend to live a life of crime yet they are treated like criminals or inadvertently end up with an arrest record. Police often sweep homeless encampments, arrest or cite people for sleeping in public areas, and punish those who seek refuge in private spaces, like coffee shops or restaurants, forcing people experiencing homelessness into a cycle of living on the streets, in jail, or in shelters.

Because many employers and landlords require background checks for applicants, a criminal history often prevents people from finding reliable employment and housing. Individuals who are arrested for crimes they likely would not commit if they had better opportunities are convicted not only in a court of law, but by society, potential employers, and rental companies.

Many homeless advocates in Seattle recognize this pressing issue and understand that policing people living on the street is not the answer. Various businesses, neighborhood groups, the police, advocates, and nonprofits in Seattle are fighting against misperceptions about people experiencing homelessness to find a solution that gets citizens off the streets, into jobs, and under a safe roof.

Two such organizations are Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion and Packs for Cold Backs.

Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Seattle authorities shut congregate shelters, released prisoners, and stopped new arrests for minor crimes. Meanwhile, a lawyer named Lisa Daugaard saw an opportunity to help people experiencing homelessness without involving law enforcement.

Lisa created the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion Program (LEAD), which more than 80 U.S. jurisdictions have implemented, to keep people with a history of minor arrests from reentering the justice system. Instead of charging people with petty offenses, police departments that utilize LEAD programming refer individuals to case management services that focus on harm reduction, securing housing, and improving mental and physical health.

The University of Washington conducted studies, which have been peer-reviewed, to discover the efficacy of LEAD programs. The New York Times reports that the study found a 39‌‌% reduction in felony charges and an 89‌‌% increase in the likelihood of securing permanent housing for over 300 LEAD participants.

Packs for Cold Backs

Packs for Cold Backs is a non-profit organization operating in King County that aims to help people experiencing homelessness by providing funds, transportation, basic necessities, and professional assistance in navigating the complicated justice system.

Volunteers and staff members in Seattle travel the city in search of candidates for Packs for Cold Back’s services. We find that most people need just a little bit of compassion and opportunity to turn their life around. Real, human interactions – even seemingly insignificant ones – have the power to transform someone’s day and, by extension, their mindset.

Packs for Cold Backs is built on the belief that we can help our neighbors find housing with kindness and respect. Simply removing people experiencing homelessness in Seattle from the streets and placing them into jails, shelters, or another city perpetuates the vicious cycle and does nothing to remedy the issue. In fact, the increasing homeless population suggests that these efforts only contribute to the problem.

Join Seattle’s Efforts

If you are interested in joining in on Seattle’s unique approach to homelessness, we invite you to donate to Packs for Cold Backs or volunteer at one of our community outreach events! Please contact us for more information on how to volunteer.