What is Seattle's homeless problem like in January 2023? (Medina, Republic: sex offenders, felons)

[AlexZaz.]

Hello all, I was wondering if Seattle's homeless situation has improved in 2023. I was planning on traveling but now I might not go due to this.

[uniquetraveler]

I stayed in Seattle downtown for a couple of nights during the 31st and new year (Hyatt Regency across from the new convention center).. it was night and day difference from the last time I was there, only a year back. I only came across 1-2 homeless folks and no tents. Mayor Harrell has done a good job of cleaning up the central business district.

On the down side, many retail stores like Banana Republic, Barnes and Nobile etc. have closed down, making the area less vibrant compared to 3 years back. But slowly some new places like Uniqlo are opening up..

Here is walking tour of the downtown from a youtuber:

[Returning2USA]

^ Good on Mayor Harrell if he's proceeding as such and he needs to continue.

I follow the youtuber above, "Lao Ocean."

Good guy who gives informative YT videos on Seattle area.

[Hemlock140]

As has been the case for many years, clearing homeless without addressing the causes simply moves them from one place to another. With the city core being important to business and tourism (and the City's budget) the mayor has made good progress cleaning up some of the worst public-facing homeless. Most of them are still homeless and in Seattle, however. They have recently popped up in the shrubbery along I5 where it meets I90, and in the industrial area by Terminal 46 and the 99 tunnel entrance.

[usernametaken]

Medina is accepting no homeless or tents. Bill Gates thinks they will get a better quality of life elsewhere.

[AlexZaz.]

Do they harm people though? When I was in Portland I was panhandled.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by AlexZaz.

Do they harm people though? When I was in Portland I was panhandled.

Panhandlers are not harming people, just annoying. The panhandlers are still in the Pike Place Market area and along the touristy parts of the waterfront. Whether or not they are homeless or just looking for an easy tax-free income is up for debate. I haven't seen the Seattle panhandlers being aggressive.

[AlexZaz.]

Originally Posted by Thealpinist

Many of them are sex offenders, and convicted felons. So yes they are harming people. City of Seattle does nothing about it. Seattle just lets them run rampant and destroy the community.

I don’t care very much about what they have done in the past. What I’ve meant was if they would harm people on the street, not what they have done in the past.

[homesinseattle]

It’s feeling a lot better downtown than during the pandemic. There is relative safety in numbers in any city in the world and a lot more people are out these days in Downtown Seattle. The fact the Uniqlo just opened and took over the old Macy’s space is a big deal and vote of confidence in Seattle’s Downtown future. That area around Westlake is feeling pretty good. Listen (this is true about any city), you learn where is safe and where isn’t. Walking around late in the evening (especially alone) isn’t a good idea. Common sense.

[rjshae]

In terms of statistics, this state is not doing well.

Washington homeless population surpassed most states in 2022

Driving the news: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's annual homelessness assessment, released this week, shows that Washington is second only to California when it comes to its number of residents living outside with no shelter.

Among urban areas, only New York City and the Los Angeles metro had larger total homeless populations than Seattle and King County in 2022.

The total homeless in this area has increase 13.8% since 2020. I'm cynical about it, feeling that the more money we pour into it the worse the problem will get.