I think we all understand simply how difficult it is to clear homeless camps from the highway, and only kicking people out does not work. Simply a year into the brand-new right of way effort, we're beginning to get an idea of just how tough it is.

Sweeping camps and kicking individuals out is one method of dealing with the problem, but those people return, or they just move somewhere else. It does not resolve the root issue of where they are going to go.

SR-520 chauffeurs won't be getting a lane back for another year

The state changed up its techniques last year, making sure that individuals had someplace to go before those camps were cleared.

How do you find places for people in the 2,100 homeless camps along Washington State Department of Transportation's (WSDOT) right-of-way? Let me repeat that number, 2,100 encampments statewide, simply on WSDOT home.

WSDOT's Andrea Fortune told the Washington State Transportation Commission this week that the cost for cleaning the trash has actually skyrocketed.

" In 2008, it was around $200,00, and in 2022 it was $2.8 million," Fortune stated.

The state legislature has provided WSDOT $12 million this biennium for clean-up.

Colin DeForrest is the Homeless Response Manager at the Washington Department of Transportation. He told the commission the state is focusing on the most significant camps initially, in King, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, and Spokane Counties.

" We wish to identify a positive action for every among these individuals to move forward," DeForrest stated. "Whether or not those individuals take it on the very first shot, the 3rd shot, or the 5th shot, we're going to continue attempting with these individuals."

In the first year of this effort, the state has actually worked on 17 encampments, including rest locations. It has actually closed seven of them so far, consisting of a little but extremely risky camp under State Route 520 at Portage Bay, where employees found "101 propane tanks…… removed from below the freeway."

" This is an excellent example of why this is so really crucial that we do this work since all of us understand what happens with fires and gas tanks," DeForrest stated. "There is nothing good that comes of that."

We saw another big encampment fire under the West Seattle Bridge and Interstate 5 just the other day morning. Exploding propane tanks near the highway is less than ideal.

Of the 1,022 individuals the state has actually gotten in touch with in these 17 camps, 376 have actually accepted the real estate provided, that's about 37%. But of those 376 that accepted real estate, 269 are still in that housing. or about 72%. That's development, albeit little development.

WSDOT assistant secretary Mike Gribner said individuals deny the housing or accept aid depending upon what type of housing it is. Some do not want dormitory-style real estate, and lots of are worried about their stuff.

" Some of the important things that might be viewed as trash may not be garbage to the citizen," Gribner stated. "There's always some factor to consider on what and how things are disposed of."

Part of this initiative includes protecting personal belongings for a substantial quantity of time.

The Governor put $40 million into this effort, however the state as a whole has actually put $143 million into this. That only translates into 927 new beds by the end of the year.

I am digging into why the initiative is getting so little for such a big cost, however that's for another day.

I understand a great deal of you are very worried about the encampment on the north end of the Ship Canal Bridge. WSDOT has worked for months on this. It still doesn't understand exactly the number of people are living there, however it is actively working to clear it.

Have a look at more of Chris' Chokepoints.

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