Council Votes Against Homeless
July 25, 2022 was a sad day for Bellevue.
People experiencing homelessness will be at the mercy of unregulated service providers.
In a 4 to 3 vote against Best Practices Amendments to the Permanent Supportive Housing Ordinance 6722, Councilmembers Barksdale, Zahn and Stokes - Stokes and Zahn are up for reelection in 2023 - voted against amendments to provide accountability for residents of Permanent Supportive Housing.
Providers do not have to reach out to the community and an unlimited number of homeless people can be housed in any residential neighborhoods.
Providers are not required by the City to provide any services to this vulnerable population.
Any person trying to exit homeless will have no recourse to City Hall if they receive no services.
Neighborhoods are at the mercy of unregulated non profits; Barksdale, Zahn, Stokes - all up for reelection in 2023 - do not care about Bellevue Communities or those trying to exit Homelessness.
They shirk the accountability of protective regulations for the homeless that will help them integrate back into society.
As Deputy Mayor Nieuwenhuis said, Council and Staff are spending considerable effort developing rules for the Midlakes/Wilburton Commercial Area, but do not hold NonProfit providers accountable when it comes to providing services for the most vulnerable population in Bellevue; instead of adhering to the Best Practices demonstrated by CFH and Mary's Place, they will not provide necessary services if they are not required to.
Adult Family Homes and Child Day Cares have more accountability than the Homeless Services.
Additionally, CM Barksdale tried to dismantle the carefully crafted LUC 20.20.455 Homeless Services Uses Land Use Code that successfully created the Permanent Men's Shelter being built at Eastgate.
Let council@bellevuewa.gov know your views on Homeless Housing in residential neighborhoods.
Betsi Hummer
425.591.4784