More than 16,000 people are experiencing homelessness in King County, up from 2022 Preliminary data released Wednesday from the King County Regional Homelessness Authority’s Point-in-Time Count found 16,385 people are experiencing homelessness in the county. That’s over 3,000 more than were counted two years ago. Casey Martin
Lost Patients live show explores what's next for mental healthcare In the podcast "Lost Patients," journalists Will James, Sydney Brownstone ,and Esmy Jimenez explored why so many people with severe mental illness in Washington state are not getting the care they need. Libby Denkmann Play AudioListen 50 mins
In Burien, 'the soap opera continues' as quarrels grow over city's camping ban Each day in Burien seems to bring a new uproar between city officials and the King County Sheriff’s Office over the city’s camping ban. Meanwhile, people await an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court ruling on whether camping bans violate the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment when they don’t come with offers of available shelter. Amy Radil Play AudioListen 5 mins
The SCOTUS case that could change the rules on homelessness The Supreme Court is hearing a case this morning on homelessness. It could have a big impact on how cities in our region respond to the homelessness crisis. That’s particularly true for areas like Burien, which have banned public camping. We’ll get the story from public radio reporter Jane Vaughan, who’s following every twist and turn. Paige Browning Play AudioListen 13 mins
New Seattle apartment opens with promise to ‘end Native homelessness in King County’ A new five-story apartment building has opened on Lake City Way in northeast Seattle for adults experiencing chronic homelessness. The complex is the fourth housing development to open in the last few years for Native adults who struggle to find stable housing. Casey Martin
Vulnerable patients caught in ‘churn’ between Washington mental health care systems face life and death circumstances Lost Patients is a deeply-reported, six-part docuseries examining the difficulties of treating serious mental illness through the lens of one city's past, present and future. With real-life testimonials from patients, families, and professionals on the front lines, Lost Patients provides a real, solutions-oriented look at how we got stuck here...and what we might do to break free. Sydney Brownstone
Asylum-seekers spend a night at a Seattle tennis court before heading back to a hotel Soundside host Libby Denkmann talks with Seattle Times Project Homeless reporter Anna Patrick about a group of asylum-seekers that camped at the Garfield Community Center tennis courts this week. Jason Burrows Play AudioListen 12 mins
Burien sues King County Sheriff for refusing to enforce camping ban The legal wrangling is intensifying between the King County Sheriff’s Office and the city of Burien. At issue is the sheriff’s refusal to enforce Burien’s latest restrictions on homeless encampments. Amy Radil
Week in Review: Burien, police, and uncommitted delegates Bill Radke discusses the week’s news with The Stranger’s Rich Smith, Seattle Channel’s Brian Callanan, and political analyst and contributing columnist Joni Balter Kevin Kniestedt Play AudioListen 52 mins
Libraries in Western Washington confront the challenges of being open to all Libraries are taking on a new role as social service providers, hiring mental health professionals and in some cases building an entire in-house social services team to help people in crisis who come to the library because they have nowhere else to go. Jason Burrows Play AudioListen 21 mins
