Washington State’s Homeless Camp Removal Initiative in Need of Funding

Washington Governor Jay Inslee has sounded the alarm: an initiative aimed at clearing homeless camps from roadways is running out of funds. After utilizing a whopping $143 million in just over a year, more money is urgently needed to continue this mission.

“You can’t do this with zero dollars,” Governor Inslee, a Democrat, emphasized to KOMO News. “We’ll need the legislature in January to step up to increase funding so we can continue the progress we’re making.”

The Initiative’s Origin and Objective

Governor Inslee’s Rights-of-Way Safety Initiative kicked off in June 2022. Its primary objective is to remove homeless camps from state-owned areas near roads while offering housing solutions to camp residents.

Tiny Homes Offer Hope

Recently, Governor Inslee toured a tiny home village in Olympia, funded by the initiative. This village is set to provide shelter for 50 people who previously lived in an encampment along I-5, according to KOMO. During the visit, Governor Inslee pointed out that the initiative is running out of funds and, unless the legislature allocates more money come January, homeless camps will persist on state lands.

The Price Tag

To date, Washington has expended over $143 million on the initiative. These funds have gone toward camp clearances, housing, and associated expenses, according to the Washington State Department of Commerce.

Progress and Challenges

As of July 31, approximately 1,300 individuals had been relocated from roadside camps. Of these, around 430 declined assistance for temporary or permanent housing. This translates to a cost of $165,000 per person for camp clearance and housing for 870 people.

The Commerce Department disclosed that 126 individuals successfully transitioned into permanent housing, such as rented apartments or living with family members.

Homelessness in Washington

Washington ranks as the fourth state in the nation for homelessness, with an estimated 25,211 homeless individuals. This number places it behind only California, New York, and Florida, as per 2022 Housing and Urban Development estimates. Roughly half of Washington’s homeless population remains unsheltered, and many face persistent homelessness.

A Call for Continued Effort

Governor Inslee’s office asserts that the safety initiative has enhanced neighborhood safety and provided nearly 1,000 people with “access to housing and services they need to escape the cycle of homelessness.” Nonetheless, this represents just a fraction of the larger problem, and substantial state investment remains imperative to sustain this critical work that benefits communities in numerous ways.