On August 10th, Seattle City Councilmember Mike O’Brien issued a formal statement on his proposals regarding the estimated 1,500 vehicles used as residences and parked on public streets. O’Brien serves on the City Council in the District #6 position, representing West Fremont along with Ballard, Greenwood, and Crown Hill. He is also Chair of the Council’s Sustainability & Transportation Committee.
View the statement by Councilman O’Brien on his website (click here.) In it, the Councilmember mentions City funding in 2016 directed at assisting the unsheltered seeking to exit homelessness and move into permanent housing, specifically those without shelter. Yet, he sets apart those who live in vehicles, while stating that they account for 40% of the unsheltered.
His own program, Road To Housing, he writes, makes efforts to assist those in vehicles. This program is intended to builds partnerships between the City and faith-based organizations, providing funding for those groups that provide parking, restroom access and other supports including clothing, microwave access and community support. In 2014, the program assisted roughly 200 families.
Councilmember O’Brien has frequently spoken out about parking fines and towing fees accrued by vehicle residents, and how these burdens put them “further away from housing, and isolated from services…”
He recommended more parking options for vehicular residents, and putting City Departments to work to provide more streamlined, cost-effective parking, including identifying surplus City property. He also recommended prioritizing social services and real estate management to press for space at faith-based organizations, non-profits, and private businesses that can be used. He also wants to find City funding for these.
His proposed resolution would call for the City to analyze recreational vehicle campgrounds, auto training programs and increased mobile healthcare services directed to vehicular residents.
His draft legislation sets up a Vehicular Residences Program to directly connect social service providers with people living in cars, vans, and RVs, and give these people access to amnesty from ticketing, towing and any parking enforcement penalties. Specifically, those living in RVs and commercial vehicles would be eligible for amnesty if they ‘live’ in industrial zoned areas (West Fremont from 1st Ave NW and N 36th St to Ballard would qualify.) He did write that this would not give amnesty from other laws or restrict the Seattle Police from requesting a vehicle move.
“If someone is willing to work with a service provider and is committed to stabilizing their living situation,” the Councilmember writes, “I think we should enthusiastically try to meet that need.”
Councilmember O’Brien finished his statement with the explanation that he does not intend to introduce this bill in August, and that he is receptive to any ideas that could improve his legislation or result in new solutions. He is committed to doing something.
Contact Seattle City Councilmember Mike O’Brien, Representing District #6, at 206/684-8800 or mike.obrien@seattle.gov