Tuesday PM update: The city of Seattle said its “navigation team” — specially-trained police officers and outreach workers — discovered two people and three structures in Ballard Commons Park on Monday morning. Both people declined the city’s offer for shelter.
Spokesperson Will Lemke tells My Ballard that the city visited the unsanctioned encampment earlier this fall and were able to convince two others to accept the team’s offer of safer shelter. He said the city posted notice of the impending sweep on Dec. 6.
“Even with the authority to remove the encampment immediately, the city chose to conduct outreach to campers in hopes of connecting people living unsheltered to services and shelter and provided notice a week in advance of yesterday’s activities,” Lemke said. “The navigation team, which was launched earlier this year, has been able to successfully move 38% of the people they’ve contacted indoors, which is higher than previous efforts which saw acceptance rates for shelter in the single digits.”
Tuesday AM update: Police officers are keeping an eye on the park this morning. Just a little trash is left behind from Monday’s sweep:
Earlier: After posting a warning several days ago, the city removed several tents in the north end of Ballard Commons Park this (Monday) morning.
Four or five people have called the tents home, but some neighbors have complained about the unauthorized encampment. Others have been supportive, including one neighbor who gave the campers $60, according to a post in the My Ballard forum.
BALLARD – sweep at Ballard Commons this morning. 4-5 people in unsanctjoned encampment. Neighbors got into it this AM here @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/IPHPxV7zb5
— Rob Munoz (@RobKIRO7) December 11, 2017
Meanwhile, the Ballard Alliance says the park is “underutilized,” and the merchant group is asking for ideas to make a new children’s play space.
The park will be on the agenda at the next Ballard District Council meeting, December 13 at 7:00 p.m. at Merrill Gardens, 2418 NW 56th St.
![](https://www.myballard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-My-Ballard-Tile-Ad-Troop-100.png")
Our neighbors just caught someone stealing a delivery from our porch. The thief was already in the process of opening the box in our back yard when our neighbor approached them. When confronted, the thief took off in their car. Our neighbor had a good description of the thief, their car, the license plate etc. When we phoned the police, they told us they weren’t interested since their was only our neighbors word (!) against the thief and no crime had actually been committed (they left the contents on our yard). With logic like that, don’t expect anything to get better in the near future. Instead they’d prefer we call 911 when the crime is happening. Its only luck that our neighbors happened to notice a meth-head (their words, not mine) on our porch. Whats the odds we get to call next time in the middle of the act. All I can say, is vote. Put in representatives that support the police and backs them up to clean out the neighborhood.
Thank you for the heads up Long Time.
Perhaps those who want the real story on the Park camp sweep will look to numerous detailed and thoughtful comments on Nextdoor Ballard, under the topic “Worsening Conditions at Ballard Commons.” Well over 200 comments in the last 5 days. There is a lot more going on at The Commons than the removal of “four or five campers.” Try about a dozen, with another dozen or so contributing to declining health and safety for all Park users. Many emergency response calls, a burned port-a-potty, drug needles and breaking down of stolen bicycles. Rats and pigeons are abundant feeding on food scattered about. Broken glass on the sidewalks and human excrement in the planting strip. Some public parking spots are occupied full time by street campers, making those same spots unavailable for residents and visitors to adjacent apartment complexes or condominiums. Noises at all times of day and night that disturb area residents in their homes. Theft from QFC and Bartell’s is a regular phenomena.
@Longtime Ballard–
Your comment has nothing to do with this story.
@Uff Da– Nextdoor really showcases the nutjobs in our neighborhood. Good ol’ Compass Rose from the MyBallard forum is a lead and continues to push her agenda that Ballard is the worst place to live in Seattle.
Why would you complain about a place for ten years, yet continue to live there?
Because, Maryann, many of us have lived in Ballard for years. I’ve been in the same home for 19 years and I love Ballard. But I also find the continued lawlessness and filth from these ever-charging hobos disgusting. I walk all over the neighborhood and it’s hard to find a block that doesn’t have some evidence of homelessness and/or drug abuse. If you like it, fine, but don’t judge the rest of us.
@Longtime: SPD is underfunded and understaffed in a per capita measurement, compared to other departments, like NYPD. Put your money where your mouth is and start working towards a levy to fund more neighborhood patrols and traffic enforcement.
@Uff da: You should have seen Ballard in the “good ol’ times”, around the turn of the century. You would have clutched your pearls into sand.
I live very close to the park and looked forward to walking my dogs and sitting to enjoy the sunshine! My dogs won’t go to the park they put the brakes on when I walk that way! I am handicapped so, it could have been convienient for me. The few times we have gone thru have been frightening. Besides the trash accumulation and the pile up of stolen shopping carts 🛒 loaded with garbage. We have been screamed at, dodged a wild eyed man with a broken broom stick swinging it wildly with anger walking in our direction. So when we walked across the street there was a couple in the bushes sleeping with a very nasty dog. Where I live I have rules that are strictly enforced so that others are not offended by our garbage, misbehaved dogs, loud noises after 10 PM. And we follow those rules or we are asked to leave. The encampments here as I have witnessed are messy nasty garbage infested with piles getting bigger daily. And they are upset that those close by who pay to live here and follow the rules of picking up after ourselves are sick of watching their mess spilling over into our walkways? Along with all the other behavior that scares the hell out of my dogs? Well, we don’t use the park anymore. We get in the car and drive to a park that is easy to navigate in my condition! In April we will move out of Ballard because the homeless are out of control here. My car was broken into out on the street and so I pay 💰 to park my car in a secure building! Lot good that does I have been broken into twice in my building! So when entering our parking in the building we are asked to make sure the door closes before driving to park. So no one sneaks in. What am I supposed to do if I do spot someone? Jump my handicapped self out of the car and toss them out? Or call the police 👮 and then wait till they arrive? Nice way to live eh!? I have a big heart ❤️ give lots to the community but, the people living out here don’t want help and want to do what they want with no regard for anyone else but their next fix! And I could point out that very van that is supplying all the drugs! Why can I know that and not the police! They need to do some undercover surveillance over here in one day you can see what is what and who is who! Move them out do not allow camping in the parks period!
Yeah, K West, but did you give them $60? How else are they gonna enjoy their Christmas?
Glad they are gone. Enough of the crime and disgusting living conditions on the north end. The park is back and as expected, these “down on their luck” did not accept shelter and services from the City. So much for being down on their luck. Seattle is so caring towards the homeless they let them camp anywhere and live off the neighborhood. No more.
Good move to get the park back. Did not even recognize it this morning. First time I’ve walked though it in 2 years! Nice job Seattle for finally cleaning up the mess you’ve made. Only a matter of time before these campers show up again but at least there is some semblance of order and identity to the park. Maybe the community would be able to use it too!
Bye, bye disgusting junkies and vagrants! Wonder how many O’Brien’s pet dog Jesse Rawlins took in? Or former Seattle Weekly sleaze Casey Jaywork?
Maybe they should rename the park, “Mike O’Brien Hobo Park”
Thank you for covering this, Geeky Swedes, but there is more to the story.
A family park that’s kitty corner from the neighborhood library shouldn’t be a KOA campground that allows bike chop shops and drug deals.
I am a nanny in the neighborhood and have witnessed homeless people in the park screaming profanities at children. There are very few places children can play in that neighborhood. In the summer, the spray features don’t begin until 11am. It is stressful to have vulnerable kids screamed at just for existing. I’d like to see playground equipment installed on some of the green space.
Man…such hate and intolerance here.
I am not saying that the homeless are harmless and should be coddled…but by the sounds of nearly ALL of the comments here, it’s as if you’re talking about a spreading cancer or an invading force of foreign military fighters…
These people, as unsightly and unpleasant TO YOU as they might be, are also HUMAN BEINGS, suffering daily and struggling to survive. These aren’t societal CHEATERS, who are winning against you because they aren’t playing by the rules…they are PEOPLE…who have been dealt a long string of bad hands, that have overcome their ability to get by by “playing the game” that we all play of waking up, working, getting paid, paying rent, and going to bed in our homes.
Try and remember that MOST Americans are merely a few bad choices, or a few runs of bad luck away from losing it all. These people, though they appear as aliens to you, are not as different to you as they are the same.
Have some damn compassion. The viciousness and bile used in describing these poor souls here is stomach churning.
If there’s a God, may he have mercy with you and your horrible judgemental privileged attitudes..
I am neither judgmental nor privileged. But I don’t think the solution to Seattle’s homeless problem is to move into public parks, especially when there are so few places for children in the neighborhood. Excuse me for wanting them to have a safe place to play.
@ FHBG –
The city has been more than generous and compassionate with regard to our homeless population. Prior to a sweep the city’s navigation team will connect with all parties and offer services and shelter. It’s an opportunity to make some good choices. The majority opt not to take the city up on its offer.
While walking the park (which I voted for, btw, in a Levy) I’ve seen arguments, fights, and drug use. Assaults, theft, and stabbings have also occurred in that little park. I can easily see why the locals (myself included) want it addressed.
“These aren’t societal CHEATERS, who are winning against you because they aren’t playing by the rules”
Actually they are.
“Try and remember that MOST Americans are merely a few bad choices”
Horse-pucky.
You have to make a ton of bad decisions and burn hundreds of bridges to wind up like these people in Ballard Commons.
I believe we are encouraging their choice to live there by ignoring them and letting them use drugs illegally right in front of us! These are not people trying these are people who have given up and we get to watch and co exsist with them! Well if they are denying help then they need to move on! They have not hit their rock bottom yet what ever the hell that will be! All we can do is pray! Even the church forbids the worst of them who are a threat to others. People who live in filth as these people do are a threat to our health and safety!
I find it hard to believe that the ACLU actually would defend the right for someone to sit in a public park and inject heroin in front of children but if they indeed would do so, I need to rethink my $50 monthly donation to them.
We just updated this post with a follow-up from the city.
If you live or work in proximity, please come to the Ballard District Council meeting Wednesday, December 13 at 7:00 p.m. at Merrill Gardens Ballard 2418 NW 56th St.. Speak Out Seattle! will facilitate this portion of the meeting to help neighbors tell their story of what Ballard Commons means to them and how they have been impacted by the unsanctioned encampment and behaviors. p.s., if you are from across town, please note that locals will be given preference for testimony.
“Both people declined the city’s offer for shelter.”
Are the pillows not fluffy enough at the shelter?
So explain again whose fault it is these characters are homeless?
they’re going to clean and it’s based on the most immediate public health and safety risks
Maryann,
my comment above actually has a lot to do with the story. As I walked through the Commons park I couldn’t help but notice a good number of bicycles being dismantled. Some of the parts were old, but a number of them looked like they came from new bikes. This was of interest to me since in the past 3 years we’ve had 3 bicycles stolen from our property. Yes, our cable locks we’re thick enough. Everyone knows its a “chop shop” in plain sight, yet no one does anything about it. Get wise people.
By the way, for those on 57th and 58th st and who have noticed in an uptick in crime, its due to the flow of homeless folks who live by the train tracks and commute to the Commons area between midnight and 5 AM.
Lastly, I won’t give up and move. Instead I’m helping organize my neighbors for block watches and to encourage voting.
@Longtime Ballard,
Funny you didn’t mention that in your first comment. You talked about a package thief with a car– that has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the homeless at the Ballard Commons.
Don’t tell me to get wise. I’m sure you’re one of the homeless-obsessed Nextdoor people who is also against HALA, and other truly ideas that are so desperately needed, yet despise because of your NIMBY attitude.
“By the way, for those on 57th and 58th st and who have noticed in an uptick in crime, its due to the flow of homeless folks who live by the train tracks and commute to the Commons area between midnight and 5 AM.”
Do you have proof? If not, you’re a no-good liar, that’s all
The SPD NAV Team leader, Sgt Zerr, said they would return on Wednesday to pick up whatever material was left behind including the stuff pictured on the corner in front of St Luke’s. We’ll see…
To Former Homeless Ballard Guy – I don’t hear anyone condemning the people, just the conditions and actions that are present at the park. Compassion is present in the services offered, which are all too often refused. Sorry, I’m not OK with letting our common space become your campsite. And the line in the article about the park being underutilized… is anyone surprised that no one wants to be there? I used to bring my kids there, when it felt safe.
For the record, Maryann, I still think Ballard is the best neighborhood in Seattle. There’s no other neighborhood in the city I’d rather live in. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have problems, though.
Once again, the Weatbrook vocal minority descends upon yet another My Ballard blog post about a homeless encampment. Spewing lies about the homeless, despite never actually talking to one. Claiming that all suggested solutions to the homeless problem are garbage, despite offering no solutions of their own. Insisting that all homeless choose to live on the streets, despite being too much of wimps to even think about spending a night on the street themselves.
My favorite Weatbrook minority delusion is they think that they can convince the vast majority of rational human beings to vote their delusional candidates, as if they aren’t a bunch of out-of-touch wack jobs.
@Moving out:
“Compassion is present in the services offered, which are all too often refused.”
You have no idea what you’re talking about, do you? You realize that almost 80% of dislodged illegal campers don’t make it to shelters? Sure, there’s a small amount that refuse, for whatever reason, “valid” or not, and there will probably always be people that refuse shelter, but that very small percentage should NOT preclude us attempting to help the rest.
The majority that don’t make it to shelter are rejected for many reasons, from something as small as lack of identification, all the way up to having a criminal record, and everything in between. If you actually got involved or even just talk to a homeless person one day, they’d corroborate the dire men’s shelter situation.
But hey, those are just facts and you don’t seem like the type of person to let facts get in the way of complaining about something.
You just keep right on winning hearts and minds with your strident, brittle reactions to everyone you disagree with, “Truth.” Good luck with that.
Truth? Last sweeps in the Jungle the Seattle City Council noted “that in the end, 75 percent of The Jungle’s residents refused offers of help, housing or shelter ”
“First, the numbers: Of 357 folks counted living in The Jungle last spring, all were contacted multiple times with offers of temporary shelter, legal help, alcohol or drug rehab (which typically includes housing) or financial assistance to reunite with family. They were given choices of going to a faith-based shelter like Union Gospel, and some secular options.
In the end, 87 accepted — 24 percent. They went into housing or were moved to a sanctioned encampment, such as Othello Village run by the Low Income Housing Institute.”
Again, maybe it’s our fault, maybe the pillows weren’t fluffy enough?
“The majority that don’t make it to shelter are rejected for many reasons”
Citation please.
Y’all realize the people camping have mental illness or are addicted to drugs and can’t make rational choices, right?
So was David Berkowitz. What’s your point?
@skip, exactly. How did that turn out?
“Y’all realize the people camping have mental illness or are addicted to drugs and can’t make rational choices, right?”
And there I was thinking it was because my home is nearly worth $1 million and the ne’er-do-wells couldn’t afford the down payment.
@Old Ballard Fort
“Are the pillows not fluffy enough at the shelter?
So explain again whose fault it is these characters are homeless?
And there I was thinking it was because my home is nearly worth $1 million and the ne’er-do-wells couldn’t afford the down payment.”
Most of these people are bat shit crazy or have drug addled brains. You can’t possibly think they can make any kind of cogent choice at this point, right? You expect them to, what, just go get jobs and rent a place and they’ll be fine?
If a person is mentally ill, is that their fault? Was it just a bad decision that they became mentally ill? Do you think they care how fluffy the pillows are?
As your ilk would say, “your a moron.” sic
“You expect them to, what, just go get jobs and rent a place and they’ll be fine?”
So it’s not capitalism’s fault. Or the price of housing. Or lack of jobs. Or because of mean people. Or the fault of the police. Or the fault of the city doing sweeps. Or because my taxes aren’t high enough.
Just want to be clear with all of that.
So who’s fault is it? Well, we used to be able to involuntarily incarcerate the mentally ill who refuse help but now we can’t do that.
Once again “Truth”, a Mike O’Brien troll, descends from Capitol Hill to try and shame everyone who chooses not to jump on his BS bandwagon on the highway to hell. He doesn’t even see the similarity between himself and Donald Trump but it is there. Just a different agenda.
So it’s not capitalism’s fault. NOPE
Or the price of housing. NOPE
Or lack of jobs. NOPE
Or because of mean people. NOPE
Or the fault of the police. NOPE
Or the fault of the city doing sweeps. NOPE
Or because my taxes aren’t high enough. NOPE
It’s because they’re mentally ill or addicted to drugs. The brain isn’t working right. You can’t expect them to make a rational decision. You actually can involuntarily incarcerate someone. It’s just that there aren’t many places to incarcerate the to. Mental health funding was massively slashed during the Regan era. It’s never come back.
Make America Great Again.
“Mental health funding was massively slashed during the Regan era.”
Ah, the old Reagan trope. The United States spends 5.6 percent of its health care budget on mental health treatment, which is on par with other developed nations. Source: Kaiser Foundation.
Plus, all those fine folks under I5 were offered housing and/or mental health/drug services during the sweeps.
Only 24% accepted.
Maybe it’s time for an equal measure of carrot and stick, and not all carrot?
Fort Ballard, what part of mentally ill don’t you get? “They were offered housing.” What’s your point? They didn’t take it? Again, they’re not rational. They’re mentally ill. Go figure.
There’s actually no question that Reagan slashed mental health funding is there? It’s pretty well documented. Let me know if you would like me to post a thousand links.
I see you ignored the fact they are also offered FREE mental and drug services, but 75% turn them down.
Solution? We have one, they refuse it, so sweep them out of public parks and spaces. Maybe if they get sick enough of the sweeps, they’ll accept the FREE services being offered.
Word is out. Come to Seattle, pitch a tent where ever you like, you won’t be bothered.
I’m frustrated that so many refuse services and therefore choose to live on the street, yet I also realize they have mental health issues. BUT I don’t feel safe walking through the park and was yelled at 2 weeks ago as I walked through with my 13 year old daughter. A man yelled, “What the f**k are you looking at, bitch?”. We quickly kept walking which is what I’m assuming he wanted, to intimidate a woman with her daughter. As we progressed to Ballard Ave we witnessed a man huddled in a doorway smoking crack! How sad that a mother/daughter outing in Seattle now includes such experiences. I, too, used to take my kids to the park to play in the fountains. I wouldn’t feel safe now. Can I just start pepper spraying the men who hassle me?
Toadstool, yes, they have mental health issues. The guy screaming at you, the person screaming at a tree, the person screaming at no one in particular.
Fort Ballard, you are very thick. Yes, they are offered free housing and drug and mental health services. They don’t understand it is for their own good. Because they’re mentally ill. They’re not right in the head. They don’t understand. It’s not their fault. They need help and they don’t want help.
We are all for the most part frustrated by the situation. No one wants them camping at the park, or anywhere for that matter. But they’re mentally ill. It isn’t like they’re choosing to be mentally ill. We have to find a better way to help. But is helps on one to not understand they’re mentally ill. Did I mention they’re mentally Ill?
“What the f**k are you looking at, bitch?”
A believe Mike O’Brien is working hard to make that Seattle’s official motto.
“Did I mention they’re mentally Ill?”
All of them? Some of them? A few of them?
If they refuse help, they either move along or are moved along. If they refuse, they get arrested. I”m willing to pay for that to keep our parks and streets safe.
Or else we reopen state run mental hospitals, closed in the 1960s.
Who is accountable? Anyone? Or are these the ones falling through the cracks ending up this way. Currently under the bridge on Leary garbage is piling up and a couple of decent tents ⛺️ are there. The garbage is my concern. I would love to see a creative way to help the ones who are not excepting help or housing. They obviously need a place to sleep and want to be independent to use their drugs. So they create spaces in illegal places and cause upset in the community. Running them off they return none of it works. Things get stolen we blame them. Our safety is threatened as we walk down the street. Why not open a space for them that lets them use safely give them projects. I am actually clueless what it would look like but, country’s like Norway 🇳🇴 have it handled and it works for them. Because what we are doing is clearly not working! I really think addiction is due to separation from others. My mother was an addict with Bipolar extreme episodes that made life with her difficult. She was homeless many times and called on me many times to bail her out. From many situations some I still wish I never experienced. She was murdered eventually and brought years of drama soon after to our lives even on her passing. I know first hand the life style of the addicted and have witnessed the lowest of the lows. So when people say have a heart ❤️ these are people living beings. So! Who is accountable I want to know! Because obviously no one is stepping up! A few weeks ago I was almost knocked in the head by a whacked out dude storming down the street swinging a broken broom stick. He was angry, eyes bulging out of his head, screaming obscenities at everyone he passed. So, what about our safety? Fed up? Yes I am!! I have lived with it, I know it, it never changes and it won’t go away!so, who is accountable???
Arresting and jailing mentally ill people isn’t really effective. Arresting people for petty crimes, which is all most are doing, doesn’t accomplish a damn thing- they just come right back out and it costs us a ton. Moving them along doesn’t accomplish anything either; that’s what’s happening now and they’re camping across the street at the library.
Great suggestions though.
“Arresting and jailing mentally ill people isn’t really effective. Arresting people for petty crimes, which is all most are doing, doesn’t accomplish a damn thing- they just come right back out and it costs us a ton. Moving them along doesn’t accomplish anything either; that’s what’s happening now and they’re camping across the street at the library.”
Brilliant. So do nothing, just let them camp.
Well, eff-no, and luckily Mayor Durkan agrees and the Seattle’s unaccountable homeless industrial complex is getting cut off at the knees. Data and accountability are in. Pampering is out.
“Arresting and jailing mentally ill people isn’t really effective.”
Sure it is. They’ll very quickly get the message and either 1. Accept the FREE wrap around services being offered by Seattle, or 2. Return to where ever they came from or 3. Find some other city full of suckers.
this is what the city is going to do. Mayor Durkan said as much, if not so bluntly.
@Old Ballard F@rt:
““The majority that don’t make it to shelter are rejected for many reasons”
Citation please.”
There are a couple pretty prominent Seattle Times articles on the issue. Take a second and search.
@Pork Pie
“You just keep right on winning hearts and minds with your strident, brittle reactions to everyone you disagree with, “Truth.” Good luck with that.”
My intent is to not change your minds, it’s clear that’s never going to happen. It’s to call you all out on your obvious BS and make fun of you a little bit on the side.
@Josh: Love you too! :-* But let’s not let our romance pollute the comments. Do you actually have anything to add to the discussion?
Old Ballard F@rt:
“Brilliant. So do nothing, just let them camp.”
Nah, there’s plenty of proposals out to attempt to reduce the homeless population. It’s just that you and your pearl-clutching ilk refuse to let them be implemented, and very loudly I must say. So we then circle back to doing nothing, and you only have yourself to blame/thank, but you’ll still try to blame others.
“Maybe it’s time for an equal measure of carrot and stick, and not all carrot?”
Ah, there we go. So all your aggro towards the homeless is nothing more than your inadequacies as a man. The homeless are an easy target to take your small hand induced, self-rage out. Whatever makes you feel better buddy.
But seriously, I’d recommend you and your hand-wringing horde just shut up for a few years. Let the adults try to solve the homeless problem. Then in a few years, and you have to give it a few years, if none of the solution attempts show any improvements to the homeless problem, you can smugly “I told you so” to the rest of us until your face turns red. Until you can accomplish that, the rest of the neighborhood, city, country and world just see you as a petty little man who compounds the problem that he despises so much.
Also, seek mental help. There’s plenty of free options, according to you.
Some of them have just moved on over to the library sidewalk
“Take a second and search.”
Ah, impressive research you have there. Facts, straight from where the sun don’t shine.
“Let the adults try to solve the homeless problem. ”
Adults? Looks like 5 year olds at work for the past ten years. Out feeding pigeons all day long and then wondering why we have a pigeon problem.
@F@RT: I know looking up and understanding facts is a foreign subject to you, so I did the leg work for you so you can sulk away with your tail between your legs. This one was a doozy:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=seattle+homeless+shelter+rejected
QED
“I know looking up and understanding facts is a foreign subject to you,”
Their your so-called facts for which you have provided zero evidence.
Do you want me to change your nappy too?
their = they’re
By the way, I actually provided a citation to my fact that 76% of homeless reject housing, drug and mental health services. The source was the City of Seattle, as published in the Seattle Times.
“For aid workers on front lines, clearing of Jungle an unequivocal success”
Danny Westneat. Originally published October 14, 2016
“Of 357 folks counted living in The Jungle last spring, all were contacted multiple times with offers of temporary shelter, legal help, alcohol or drug rehab (which typically includes housing) or financial assistance to reunite with family. They were given choices of going to a faith-based shelter like Union Gospel, and some secular options.
In the end, 87 accepted — 24 percent.
@Fart: “In the end, 87 accepted — 24 percent.”
How many of those that didn’t accept, couldn’t accept because they were invalid? That’s the point I was trying to make, that you just glossed over, because it’s inconvenient to your anti-homeless argument.
From the EXACT SAME ARTICLE that you referenced, that conveniently is one of the top results for the Google search I posted, so I could hold your hand through your fact finding (you’re welcome btw):
“Every housing or shelter option has rules against drug use. The city is considering adding shelters and tent encampments that allow drug use.
But Lilley said if you’re in the business of coaxing people with substance-abuse and mental-health problems to come out of the woods, a one-in-four success rate is actually extremely high.”
Therein lies the problems. Almost all the shelters, that don’t refuse men due to lack of identification, are 100% alcohol and drug free. If you believe that severe alcoholics and heroin addicts can just up and quit so they can move into a shelter that same night, you are either completely out of touch with reality or are so anti-homeless that you’re willing to eschew the most basic facts to make your anti-homeless arguments. These people need treatment and ignoring that fact is a main reason of why we’re in the situation we are in.