Burien passes public camping ban despite outcry from homeless advocates

After months of debate and multiple, contentious meetings, the Burien City Council Monday voted to ban people from sleeping in public places like parks. The new ordinance has raised concerns because Burien currently has no homeless shelters.

People who are caught “resting, sleeping, or lying down on public property” between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. can be fined and charged with a misdemeanor.

Before the ordinance was passed by a narrow 4-3 vote, dozens of Burien residents gave public comments before the council.

Linda Akey, who is running for a spot on City Council, supported the camping ban.

“Anyone who has ever struggled with addiction or a family member who struggles with it knows that sometimes rock bottom helps a person decide their life is unmanageable and that they need help,” Akey said.

But longtime Burien resident Patricia Hudson said the ban won’t help anyone struggling with homelessness.

“Arresting or ticketing people who have nowhere else to go doesn't help them find permanent housing,” Hudson said. “As a matter of fact, misdemeanor convictions can exclude someone from housing or subsidized housing. Please, please, I ask that you make changes and help our unhoused rebuild.”

Councilmember Sarah Moore, who voted against the ban, argued that people experiencing homelessness in Burien will likely be shuffled around because the city doesn’t offer any shelters or sanctioned camp spots.

“Dispersing people is not going to solve the problem,” Moore said. “It is going to exacerbate the problem for the people who are being dispersed.”

The majority of the council that voted for the ban said that the city does not have enough money to support unhoused residents.

“We need help from the federal government here in the area,” Councilmember Jimmy Matta said. “We need help from the state elected officials and the county elected officials. We have a regional hospital that services the region and we're getting shortchanged.”

King County has offered the city $1 million to set up a tiny house village, shelter, or camp area for people living in tents and RVs. So far, the Council has not accepted that money.

At last week’s City Council meeting when the ordinance was being discussed, Barb Oliver from Sound Foundations NW offered the city 50 tiny houses for free if the Council accepted King County's money. The Council did not take up that offer, either.

The Council now has to figure out how to enforce the ban as the city relies on the King County Sheriff’s Office for its police force.

In May, the county sent a letter to Burien City Council expressing “substantial concerns” over passing a camping ban without offering a shelter. The county said it would not provide law enforcement assistance in clearing tent encampments.

Burien is also considering a contract with a service provider to offer outreach to people in Burien experiencing homelessness.

The ban takes effect Wednesday, Nov. 1.