Judge strikes Seattle homelessness measure from ballot

SEATTLE (AP) – A Washington State judge took action against homelessness in Seattle in the November election, despite the city’s persistent humanitarian crisis.

The so-called “Compassion Seattle” proposal would instruct the city to provide 2,000 emergency or permanent housing within a year and oblige the city to ensure that parks, playgrounds and sidewalks remain free of storage.

King County’s Supreme Court Justice Catherine Shaffer said Friday that doing so would clash with state law and usurp the power of the city council.

Shaffer said she and other voters may like what proponents of the measure are trying to do, but it exceeds what can be achieved by a local constitutional amendment.

“You can’t change a city charter to conflict with state law,” Shaffer said. “I like this amendment to the statutes as a voter. But it cannot stand as a judge. “

The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, Seattle / King County Coalition on Homelessness, and the Transit Riders Union sued the measure officially known as Charter Amendment 29 on how local governments can combat homelessness.

The pro-change campaign said in an email statement that there was not enough time to appeal before the election and that the verdict meant that “the only way the public can change the city’s current attitudes towards homelessness is by asking.” Responsible person in the town hall changes. ”

“We are deeply disappointed with today’s King County Superior Court ruling denying Seattle voters the opportunity to make their voices heard on our city’s number one issue,” said Compassion Seattle. “This ruling maintains the status quo, which is obviously not working, as evidenced by the increase in the homeless and the camps that are occupying our parks and public spaces. … We urge the public not to give up the fight. “

According to the lawsuit, state law gives local legislative bodies – city and county councils – exclusive power to develop plans against homelessness. Additionally, the change would undermine the city’s binding agreement with King County to create a regional homelessness agency and illegally waive land use regulations to expedite the development of emergency and permanent housing.

“Today’s verdict ensures we can all focus on real solutions to help people get home and tackle homelessness in a coordinated, inclusive and effective manner,” said Alison Eisinger, executive director of the Seattle / King County Coalition on homelessness. “We need and deserve community-wide solutions that address the systemic causes of homelessness: solutions that work for people now and in the long term.”

The proposed amendment to Charter 29 has received mixed feedback. Seattle’s mayoral candidates were almost evenly split in this month’s primary. Of the two top votes that rose to the general election, former city council member Bruce Harrell supports this, saying the city needs to act more urgently on this issue, while city council president Lorena González is against, calling it an unfunded mandate that could be too Cuts in vital services result.

Some homeless charitable leaders and advocates have come out in favor, but others have launched a campaign called House Our Neighbors to encourage voters to stand up.