Homelessness is soaring among Seattle students. School support workers are on the front lines Homelessness among Seattle Public Schools students has been on the rise over the last two years, affecting roughly 2,200 students. KUOW takes an inside look at how a district staffer goes above and beyond to help these students – and their families – in one southeast Seattle elementary school. Sami West Play AudioListen 5 mins
So far it's a grand decade for billionaires, says new report. As for the masses ... As the World Economic Forum kicks off in Davos, the charity Oxfam has issued its annual report on wealth, poverty and inequality. It makes some bold assertions. But there are skeptics. Ari Daniel
Should school meals be free for all at Washington elementary schools? A proposed law would provide free breakfast and lunch to students at all elementary schools across Washington, regardless of income. Sami West
Studies show link between food insecurity and housing instability King County is seeing a surge in evictions this winter. That means families are also struggling to buy food. Ruby de Luna
Author Stephanie Land has struggled as a single mom in college, but don't call her a 'success story' Soundside interviews author Stephanie Land about her most recent book, "Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education." Noel Gasca Play AudioListen 36 mins
A record number of people died in King County last year without family to bury them On Wednesday the King County Medical Examiner’s Office honored hundreds of people who died in 2022 whose families could not be located or could not afford a burial service. Investigators with the office say the number of indigent remains is increasing year after year. Casey Martin
28% of families in Washington state can't afford basic needs, UW study finds About 10 percent of households in Washington state meet the federal poverty threshold, but when researchers drilled into the data on what it actually takes to survive in the state, they found the number of families struggling to make ends meet is much larger. Monica Nickelsburg
Could Seattle see rent control? Only if the state allows it Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant introduced a rent control bill on Friday that would regulate how much landlords can raise rents. The proposal would limit rental price increases to the regional inflation rate. But there is a major hitch. David Hyde Play AudioListen 1 min
Relief is on the way for Washington food banks struggling to keep up with demand House Bill 1784, a hunger relief bill, is making its way to Gov. Jay Inslee’s office for his signature. The bill will earmark $28 million to hunger relief organizations to address food insecurity. Ruby de Luna Play AudioListen 2 mins
