Infectious diseases on the rise as homeless population grows
SEATTLE -- They're diseases that you've never heard of -- Shigella and Group A Strep.But they are spreading at alarming rates among people without homes in King County.Group Strep A can lead to cases of flesh-eating bacteria.Cases at Harborview Medical Center have doubled to 219, from 2016 to 2017.At last count, there were nearly 5,500 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in King County.When you have crowds of homeless people with little sanitation, that combination breeds infectious diseases.It’s prompting more calls for hygiene facilities for the homeless across King County.“I don’t have a mental problem or drug problem (so) we are the last ones to get help,” Ervin Ashley said.Ashley had a roof over his head until a workplace accident injured his hand.“Hard to grip, even (to get) change out of my pocket, it slips right out of my hand,” Ashley said.He couldn’t make rent, so basic things like a sink to wash his hands is a luxury.But when the grime gets too much to handle, he and others knock on a urban reststop.Ashley stopped by the one in the U District.It’s one of three urban reststops in Seattle where the homeless can shower and do laundry.“It feels good and lifts me up for the day I am clean,” Seth Fluker said.Fluker is clean for now and trying to stay away from a number of infectious outbreaks plaguing the homeless population.“We are seeing an increase in Group Strep A infections, we are seeing an increase in Shigella, which is a form of diarrhea,” Dr.
SEATTLE -- They're diseases that you've never heard of -- Shigella and Group A Strep.But they are spreading at alarming rates among people without homes in King County.Group Strep A can lead to cases of flesh-eating bacteria.Cases at Harborview Medical Center have doubled to 219, from 2016 to 2017.At last count, there were nearly 5,500 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in King County.When you have crowds of homeless people with little sanitation, that combination breeds infectious diseases.It’s prompting more calls for hygiene facilities for the homeless across King County.“I don’t have a mental problem or drug problem (so) we are the last ones to get help,” Ervin Ashley said.Ashley had a roof over his head until a workplace accident injured his hand.“Hard to grip, even (to get) change out of my pocket, it slips right out of my hand,” Ashley said.He couldn’t make rent, so basic things like a sink to wash his hands is a luxury.But when the grime gets too much to handle, he and others knock on a urban reststop.Ashley stopped by the one in the U District.It’s one of three urban reststops in Seattle where the homeless can shower and do laundry.“It feels good and lifts me up for the day I am clean,” Seth Fluker said.Fluker is clean for now and trying to stay away from a number of infectious outbreaks plaguing the homeless population.“We are seeing an increase in Group Strep A infections, we are seeing an increase in Shigella, which is a form of diarrhea,” Dr.
Homeless to housed: Cities pair police and social workers to help turn lives around
In the beginning, some saw it as an unlikely pairing.“It was a struggle at first, I have to say,” said Yvonne Nelson, a social worker with an organization called REACH.She had mixed feelings about working alongside police officers to tackle the city’s homeless crisis.“We asked them to stand back while we talked to people,” she said, worried that the presence of uniformed officers would prevent people from being honest about things like drug abuse.
In the beginning, some saw it as an unlikely pairing.“It was a struggle at first, I have to say,” said Yvonne Nelson, a social worker with an organization called REACH.She had mixed feelings about working alongside police officers to tackle the city’s homeless crisis.“We asked them to stand back while we talked to people,” she said, worried that the presence of uniformed officers would prevent people from being honest about things like drug abuse.
Flooding, drainage system issues prompt partial Seattle homeless camp sweep
SEATTLE -- It’s almost eviction day for a handful of homeless people who’ve built an unsanctioned encampment between Myers Way and Highway 509 in Seattle.City officials say they’re worried about flooding problems and illegal dumping that’s clogged a drainage system.
SEATTLE -- It’s almost eviction day for a handful of homeless people who’ve built an unsanctioned encampment between Myers Way and Highway 509 in Seattle.City officials say they’re worried about flooding problems and illegal dumping that’s clogged a drainage system.
Trailer park community facing squeeze in SeaTac as property owner seeks eviction, development
Alarming statistics recently released by the King County Medical Examiner's Office show a record number of homeless people in the county died last year.
Alarming statistics recently released by the King County Medical Examiner's Office show a record number of homeless people in the county died last year.
Man sentenced to 11 years for attack on homeless woman in White Center
SEATTLE -- A Washington man was sentenced to nearly 11 years in prison for beating and sexually assaulting a homeless woman.The Seattle Times reports 22-year-old Robert German was sentenced last week after pleading guilty to first-degree assault and indecent liberties with forcible compulsion.German was also ordered to be placed on community supervision for life and will be required to register as a sex offender.German will be subject to the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board due to the felony sex offense conviction.German was arrested last March after attacking a homeless woman in White Center.
SEATTLE -- A Washington man was sentenced to nearly 11 years in prison for beating and sexually assaulting a homeless woman.The Seattle Times reports 22-year-old Robert German was sentenced last week after pleading guilty to first-degree assault and indecent liberties with forcible compulsion.German was also ordered to be placed on community supervision for life and will be required to register as a sex offender.German will be subject to the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board due to the felony sex offense conviction.German was arrested last March after attacking a homeless woman in White Center.
King County judge’s ruling shines spotlight on homeless living in vehicles
SEATTLE – The number of homeless people on the streets across Western Washington continues to rise every year and those people are forced to figure out ways to stay warm and find shelter. Some people turn to vehicles, but one homeless man's truck was towed after he didn't move it after 72 hours.
SEATTLE – The number of homeless people on the streets across Western Washington continues to rise every year and those people are forced to figure out ways to stay warm and find shelter. Some people turn to vehicles, but one homeless man's truck was towed after he didn't move it after 72 hours.
Tiny homes for the homeless looking to set up space in your backyard
SEATTLE – Will you say yes to tiny homes for the homeless in your backyard?
SEATTLE – Will you say yes to tiny homes for the homeless in your backyard?
300 volunteers prepare temporary housing for Seattle homeless
Seattle City Council members are considering a plan to tax big businesses like Amazon with the money going to fund homeless. But two groups aren’t waiting for the city council’s expected vote in March.
Seattle City Council members are considering a plan to tax big businesses like Amazon with the money going to fund homeless. But two groups aren’t waiting for the city council’s expected vote in March.
Critics worry housing plan will wreck Seattle's character
SEATTLE -- Seattle's booming tech industry has brought a massive influx of new residents with big wallets to the city.
SEATTLE -- Seattle's booming tech industry has brought a massive influx of new residents with big wallets to the city.
Social workers paired up with police officers in the fight against homelessness and addiction
EVERETT, Wash. -- It’s a new and unconventional strategy against homelessness.Social workers are now paired up with police officers.On Friday, Q13 News went along with Kaitlyn Dowd.She was dressed in street clothes and looked like she was about to go on hike, but Dowd is a social worker embedded in the Everett Police Department.“We don’t ever give up hope on people,” Dowd said.She is one of two social workers in the department and they are not waiting for cases to come to them.Instead, they brave the elements, venturing into places most people would not go.
EVERETT, Wash. -- It’s a new and unconventional strategy against homelessness.Social workers are now paired up with police officers.On Friday, Q13 News went along with Kaitlyn Dowd.She was dressed in street clothes and looked like she was about to go on hike, but Dowd is a social worker embedded in the Everett Police Department.“We don’t ever give up hope on people,” Dowd said.She is one of two social workers in the department and they are not waiting for cases to come to them.Instead, they brave the elements, venturing into places most people would not go.
No one hurt after fire at homeless encampment
SEATTLE- A homeless encampment caught fire early Saturday morning.Fire crews responded to the camp between I-5 North and I-90 Eastbound just after 3:30 a.m.The Seattle Fire Department says three to four tents were destroyed by the fire.The fire was more intense because of woody pallets and propane tanks that had vented.It took firefighters about an hour to extinguish the flames.No one was hurt.
SEATTLE- A homeless encampment caught fire early Saturday morning.Fire crews responded to the camp between I-5 North and I-90 Eastbound just after 3:30 a.m.The Seattle Fire Department says three to four tents were destroyed by the fire.The fire was more intense because of woody pallets and propane tanks that had vented.It took firefighters about an hour to extinguish the flames.No one was hurt.
‘One Table’ discussions begin to try to curb homeless growth in King County
SEATTLE -- Monday marked the first time local government leaders, outreach services, business owners and rich donors met to come up with new ways to tackle our region's homelessness crisis.It’s being touted as a new plan to treat homelessness regionally rather than as it is now – fractured between cities and King County.The new approach is being called "One Table." The goal this time is to identify the root causes and stop people from falling into homelessness in the first place.“Everybody’s expressed a willingness to help but nobody knows where they’re supposed to be on the field,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine.
SEATTLE -- Monday marked the first time local government leaders, outreach services, business owners and rich donors met to come up with new ways to tackle our region's homelessness crisis.It’s being touted as a new plan to treat homelessness regionally rather than as it is now – fractured between cities and King County.The new approach is being called "One Table." The goal this time is to identify the root causes and stop people from falling into homelessness in the first place.“Everybody’s expressed a willingness to help but nobody knows where they’re supposed to be on the field,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine.
Seattle property sale going to help ease homeless crisis
Mayor Jenny Durkan wants to use the proceeds from the expected sale of a city-owned property to fund new rental assistance and short-term housing options for the homeless.
Mayor Jenny Durkan wants to use the proceeds from the expected sale of a city-owned property to fund new rental assistance and short-term housing options for the homeless.
Seattle mayor wants to use money from land sale for homeless
SEATTLE -- Mayor Jenny Durkan wants to use $11 million in proceeds from the expected sale of a city-owned property to fund new rental assistance and short-term housing options for the homeless.The Seattle Times reports the move is one of the first steps taken by her still-new administration toward delivering on a key campaign proposal — developing 1,000 new tiny houses for people in homelessness and ramping up rental-assistance programs.Durkan said the sale of the unspecified South Lake Union property is expected to net around $11 million.On Wednesday, she'll ask the Seattle City Council to pass a resolution asking to designate the new funds for her new Bridge Housing Investment program, which could include developing tiny homes, modular housing and backyard cottages, with a goal of quickly move people off the streets and into temporary shelter.
SEATTLE -- Mayor Jenny Durkan wants to use $11 million in proceeds from the expected sale of a city-owned property to fund new rental assistance and short-term housing options for the homeless.The Seattle Times reports the move is one of the first steps taken by her still-new administration toward delivering on a key campaign proposal — developing 1,000 new tiny houses for people in homelessness and ramping up rental-assistance programs.Durkan said the sale of the unspecified South Lake Union property is expected to net around $11 million.On Wednesday, she'll ask the Seattle City Council to pass a resolution asking to designate the new funds for her new Bridge Housing Investment program, which could include developing tiny homes, modular housing and backyard cottages, with a goal of quickly move people off the streets and into temporary shelter.
Seattle startup Blokable hopes to address housing crunch
SEATTLE - Here in the Puget Sound, many people are asking themselves if they can afford to live here, as housing inventory fails to keep up with demand.
SEATTLE - Here in the Puget Sound, many people are asking themselves if they can afford to live here, as housing inventory fails to keep up with demand.
Tacoma church plans family homeless shelter capable of housing 75
TACOMA, Wash. – A homeless crisis across Western Washington is challenging many to come up with options to get more people off the streets and into permanent housing.Problems like affordable housing, mental illness and addiction are making cities like Seattle and Tacoma declare homeless emergencies.The King County medical examiner says at least 133 homeless people died in 2017 -- an all-time high.
TACOMA, Wash. – A homeless crisis across Western Washington is challenging many to come up with options to get more people off the streets and into permanent housing.Problems like affordable housing, mental illness and addiction are making cities like Seattle and Tacoma declare homeless emergencies.The King County medical examiner says at least 133 homeless people died in 2017 -- an all-time high.
Body found along Skykomish River believed to be homeless man
GOLD BAR, Wash. -- Authorities say a man's body has been found along the banks of the Skykomish River east of Gold Bar.The Snohomish County sheriff's office said Monday that investigators believe it is a 44-year-old homeless man who has been living along the river for several years.A relative discovered the man's body Monday morning downstream of Big Eddy Park.
GOLD BAR, Wash. -- Authorities say a man's body has been found along the banks of the Skykomish River east of Gold Bar.The Snohomish County sheriff's office said Monday that investigators believe it is a 44-year-old homeless man who has been living along the river for several years.A relative discovered the man's body Monday morning downstream of Big Eddy Park.
Critics say helpers of homeless do them no favors
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Mohammed Aly does not see any reason why he shouldn't try to ease the lives of Orange County's homeless.
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Mohammed Aly does not see any reason why he shouldn't try to ease the lives of Orange County's homeless.
Chefs prepare 50,000+ holiday meals for region's homeless
The Union Gospel Mission serves more than 53,000 meals during the holiday season.And behind all that food, are a group of chefs who donate their time to prepare and cook for the region’s homeless population.One of those chefs is Eugene Kosch, who served Christmas brunch to the women at the Union Gospel Mission’s Hope Place in South Seattle.Kosch was homeless at one point, and he says the mission helped him get back on his feet, so he’s grateful to be able to give back.
The Union Gospel Mission serves more than 53,000 meals during the holiday season.And behind all that food, are a group of chefs who donate their time to prepare and cook for the region’s homeless population.One of those chefs is Eugene Kosch, who served Christmas brunch to the women at the Union Gospel Mission’s Hope Place in South Seattle.Kosch was homeless at one point, and he says the mission helped him get back on his feet, so he’s grateful to be able to give back.