One family's story of success amid a growing population of homeless students
PIERCE COUNTY -- Cheryl Hernandez didn't have the will for a long time, her on-and-off drug addiction for years sidetracked not just her life but her two sons.“When you have nothing, you are hopeless,” Hernandez said Friday.For more than a year Cheryl's family was homeless.“It definitely feels isolating,” Cheryl’s son said.The 17-year-old boy still went to school, catching the bus at 5:30 every morning.“Nobody who I didn’t tell knew I was homeless at all,” Cheryl’s son said.An unspoken hardship not just for Cheryl's son, but hundreds of other students in the Bethel School District.“These are very capable students,” said Jay Brower, Bethel School District's director of community connections.About 8 percent of new students enrolled this fall have no home address to give.Over the past seven years, the number of homeless students in this district has doubled.More than 200 of them are without housing; "they are literally out in the weather,” Superintendent Tom Seigel said.They are trying to reach those in need with a repurposed bus packed with food, hygiene backs and other basics.But the district says the need is beyond the resources they can provide.The “list to get into shelter, you are looking at six months to 12 months,” said Carly Cappetto, the district's family resources coordinator.Cheryl's family fortunately got into a shelter quicker than that.
PIERCE COUNTY -- Cheryl Hernandez didn't have the will for a long time, her on-and-off drug addiction for years sidetracked not just her life but her two sons.“When you have nothing, you are hopeless,” Hernandez said Friday.For more than a year Cheryl's family was homeless.“It definitely feels isolating,” Cheryl’s son said.The 17-year-old boy still went to school, catching the bus at 5:30 every morning.“Nobody who I didn’t tell knew I was homeless at all,” Cheryl’s son said.An unspoken hardship not just for Cheryl's son, but hundreds of other students in the Bethel School District.“These are very capable students,” said Jay Brower, Bethel School District's director of community connections.About 8 percent of new students enrolled this fall have no home address to give.Over the past seven years, the number of homeless students in this district has doubled.More than 200 of them are without housing; "they are literally out in the weather,” Superintendent Tom Seigel said.They are trying to reach those in need with a repurposed bus packed with food, hygiene backs and other basics.But the district says the need is beyond the resources they can provide.The “list to get into shelter, you are looking at six months to 12 months,” said Carly Cappetto, the district's family resources coordinator.Cheryl's family fortunately got into a shelter quicker than that.
Seattle to enlarge team that oversees homeless camp removals
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan has announced the expansion of a team of police officers and outreach workers who interact with people living in the city's hundreds of unauthorized homeless camps.
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan has announced the expansion of a team of police officers and outreach workers who interact with people living in the city's hundreds of unauthorized homeless camps.
Starbucks joins Pearl Jam in their effort to fight homelessness in Seattle area
Starbucks is inviting customers to join the effort to bring unsheltered families and children in King County inside by donating to Pearl Jam’s Home Fund.
Starbucks is inviting customers to join the effort to bring unsheltered families and children in King County inside by donating to Pearl Jam’s Home Fund.
Long-awaited homeless shelter in Seattle expected to open in fall
A 100-bed shelter is expected to open in the old residency building across from Seattle's Harborview Medical Center in October, two years after King County officials allocated funding for it.
A 100-bed shelter is expected to open in the old residency building across from Seattle's Harborview Medical Center in October, two years after King County officials allocated funding for it.
Putting politics aside, Seattle's 'Third Door Coalition' hopes to help end chronic homelessness
SEATTLE -- “I don’t want to sit here a decade later when my kids are graduated from college and see that the problem is worse.
SEATTLE -- “I don’t want to sit here a decade later when my kids are graduated from college and see that the problem is worse.
Mariners' Pearl Jam Night highlights band's homelessness initiative
SEATTLE -- The Seattle Mariners on Friday, July 20 are celebrating two upcoming benefit concerts with a special night at Safeco Field.Earlier this year, Pearl Jam announced two concerts in the summer of 2018 to fight the homeless crisis in the Seattle area.Friday's game against the Chicago White Sox will preview those concerts with guitarist Mike McCready throwing out the first pitch before the game.There will also be a silent auction benefiting the band's Vitalogy Foundation.
SEATTLE -- The Seattle Mariners on Friday, July 20 are celebrating two upcoming benefit concerts with a special night at Safeco Field.Earlier this year, Pearl Jam announced two concerts in the summer of 2018 to fight the homeless crisis in the Seattle area.Friday's game against the Chicago White Sox will preview those concerts with guitarist Mike McCready throwing out the first pitch before the game.There will also be a silent auction benefiting the band's Vitalogy Foundation.
Crime rate rose 103% in a two city block radius of tiny-home village in north Seattle, according to data
On any given day, Licton Springs Village houses 60 homeless people. It’s the only city-sanctioned homeless encampment that’s low barrier, meaning it allows people to stay there even if they are using drugs and alcohol.
On any given day, Licton Springs Village houses 60 homeless people. It’s the only city-sanctioned homeless encampment that’s low barrier, meaning it allows people to stay there even if they are using drugs and alcohol.
U-District homeless shelter for young people now forced to search for new site
SEATTLE -- Neighborhoods across the Seattle area are undergoing major transformations as light rail extensions get closer to completion.The pace of life in the University District is changing.
SEATTLE -- Neighborhoods across the Seattle area are undergoing major transformations as light rail extensions get closer to completion.The pace of life in the University District is changing.
Tiny home village for women-only opening in Ballard
SEATTLE -- A unique tiny home village only for women is opening in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood.For months, organizers worked on the 15 tiny homes that make up the new Whittier Heights Village.“We don’t have enough affordable housing in Seattle,” said Sherry Sternhagen, a housing case manager for The Low Income Housing Institute, which develops, owns and operates housing for low-income, homeless and formerly homeless people in Washington.Sternhagen will oversee day-to-day operations of the new Whittier Heights Village.Growing up, Sternhagen says she experienced homelessness.
SEATTLE -- A unique tiny home village only for women is opening in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood.For months, organizers worked on the 15 tiny homes that make up the new Whittier Heights Village.“We don’t have enough affordable housing in Seattle,” said Sherry Sternhagen, a housing case manager for The Low Income Housing Institute, which develops, owns and operates housing for low-income, homeless and formerly homeless people in Washington.Sternhagen will oversee day-to-day operations of the new Whittier Heights Village.Growing up, Sternhagen says she experienced homelessness.
Seattle expands City Hall homeless shelter to 160 beds
SEATTLE -- The city of Seattle in implementing the mayor’s $13 million plan to get 500 people off the streets.Starting Tuesday night, up to 160 people can sleep in City Hall now.The mayor’s plan is to include the City hall shelter expansion, 50 more beds at the King County Administration Building, 50 beds at 420 Fourth Avenue, and an additional 316 beds at three different Salvation Army locations in the city.The new shelter expansion at City Hall is for both men and women and is considered low-barrier housing, meaning they don’t check for sobriety and they don’t check bags.It’s all under Mayor Jenny Durkan’s new plan doubling how many people can call City Hall home – at least overnight.“I don’t sleep outside, not in Seattle, no,” said Bill Lester who sleeps at City Hall at night.But thousands sleep outside curled up on the sidewalks and benches.
SEATTLE -- The city of Seattle in implementing the mayor’s $13 million plan to get 500 people off the streets.Starting Tuesday night, up to 160 people can sleep in City Hall now.The mayor’s plan is to include the City hall shelter expansion, 50 more beds at the King County Administration Building, 50 beds at 420 Fourth Avenue, and an additional 316 beds at three different Salvation Army locations in the city.The new shelter expansion at City Hall is for both men and women and is considered low-barrier housing, meaning they don’t check for sobriety and they don’t check bags.It’s all under Mayor Jenny Durkan’s new plan doubling how many people can call City Hall home – at least overnight.“I don’t sleep outside, not in Seattle, no,” said Bill Lester who sleeps at City Hall at night.But thousands sleep outside curled up on the sidewalks and benches.
Seattle City Hall opens shelter for 120 more homeless people at night
It's no secret the homelessness crisis in the Emerald City is bad and only getting worse. That's why Seattle City Hall is rolling out the welcome mat for people living on the street.
It's no secret the homelessness crisis in the Emerald City is bad and only getting worse. That's why Seattle City Hall is rolling out the welcome mat for people living on the street.
Infant found at Seattle encampment in protective custody
SEATTLE — A 5-month-old infant found at an unsanctioned homeless encampment is in protective custody as police investigate child neglect.Seattle Police said Thursday that the child was removed in late May from an unsanctioned homeless encampment near Interstate 90 and Rainier Avenue South, where people were reportedly using methamphetamine.
SEATTLE — A 5-month-old infant found at an unsanctioned homeless encampment is in protective custody as police investigate child neglect.Seattle Police said Thursday that the child was removed in late May from an unsanctioned homeless encampment near Interstate 90 and Rainier Avenue South, where people were reportedly using methamphetamine.
Hot temperatures put people living in their cars at greater risk
SEATTLE -- The hot weather is not just uncomfortable but down-right dangerous for our most-vulnerable populations.
SEATTLE -- The hot weather is not just uncomfortable but down-right dangerous for our most-vulnerable populations.
Seattle City Hall to shelter 120 more homeless at night
SEATTLE-- It's no secret the homeless crisis in the Emerald City is bad and only getting worse.
SEATTLE-- It's no secret the homeless crisis in the Emerald City is bad and only getting worse.
City officials say there is no 'Plan B' now that head tax has been repealed
SEATTLE -- The Seattle City Council repealed the business head tax, which promised to bring $47.5 million every year for the next five years to help fight the homeless crisis.
SEATTLE -- The Seattle City Council repealed the business head tax, which promised to bring $47.5 million every year for the next five years to help fight the homeless crisis.
Local artist adds homeless tents to Seattle skyline LEGO creation
Iain Heath built a version of Seattle's skyline made of LEGOs -- featuring homeless tents to symbolize the homeless crisis.
Iain Heath built a version of Seattle's skyline made of LEGOs -- featuring homeless tents to symbolize the homeless crisis.
Seattle just killed the 'Amazon tax' it passed unanimously last month
The Seattle City Council voted Tuesday to repeal a controversial new "Amazon tax" on employers that it passed unanimously just a month ago.
The Seattle City Council voted Tuesday to repeal a controversial new "Amazon tax" on employers that it passed unanimously just a month ago.
Some Seattle residents speak out against new tiny-house village for homeless
SEATTLE -- This lot at 18th and Yesler in Seattle’s International District will soon have 38 tiny houses with 24-hour security.It will shelter homeless families, students, veterans, singles and seniors who will be allowed to have pets.
SEATTLE -- This lot at 18th and Yesler in Seattle’s International District will soon have 38 tiny houses with 24-hour security.It will shelter homeless families, students, veterans, singles and seniors who will be allowed to have pets.
What's next for organizations on front lines of homeless crisis after head tax repeal?
SEATTLE -- One thing is for sure, the head tax is no more.
SEATTLE -- One thing is for sure, the head tax is no more.
Gray Tsunami: More seniors filling homeless shelters
A resident at the Everett Gospel Mission, Flocchini is part of the region’s growing homeless population, specifically a segment that is growing: the elderly. In this case, shelter managers say, the group is anyone age 51 and older.
A resident at the Everett Gospel Mission, Flocchini is part of the region’s growing homeless population, specifically a segment that is growing: the elderly. In this case, shelter managers say, the group is anyone age 51 and older.