BURIEN, Wash. — After months of back and forth, the Burien City Council decided Monday night to accept King County’s offer of $1 million and 35 pallet shelters. The motion passed, 4-3, highlighting how this council has been divided on what to do about the city’s growing unhoused population.
Outgoing Council Member Cydney Moore voted to accept the offer despite her reservations.
“This is a good first step. It's a net win in my opinion even though I think that there are still needs that will have to be met,” Moore said.
After she put forth a motion to accept the offer, several amendments were discussed. Who will be allowed in the shelter was the biggest topic. It was decided that no one who is actively using any drugs or alcohol will be allowed. No drug or alcohol use will be permitted anywhere in the shelter. No weapons will be permitted at the shelter. Also, registered sex offenders won’t be permitted to stay there. Outgoing Mayor Sofia Aragon said all these matters had to be discussed to get the motion to pass.
"The motion that was made wouldn't be possible unless people spoke and talked about fears for safety, how it blocks our right-of-ways, what it does to our businesses, what are the consequences if we're going to use a city lot that's being used to generate revenue for the city. We took all of those things and that's what was reflected in what passed tonight," she said.
A Seattle City Light property off the WA-509 at 136th Street was selected as the location for the shelter. Some are concerned because of its proximity to Kennedy Catholic High School. Council members assured the community they had taken that into consideration. They plan to work with the school and surrounding community in the months ahead to inform them of the city’s plans. The catholic school’s principal was at the meeting. He plans to share an update with his school community before making a public comment on the matter.
The shelter is temporary. It’s slated to last up to one year. On the low range, the $1 million funding for it covers a year. On the high range, it falls short by $169,000. A draft of the proposal can be found here.
For months, the City of Burien has struggled to address its growing unhoused population. An encampment started right outside the City Hall doors in the summer, but it was eventually cleared. Many who were part of that cleared encampment now live on a tiny, strip of land, 0.25 acres, along Ambaum Boulevard: Triangle Park. A woman who lives at that encampment pleaded with the council to accept King County’s offer. She said she and others need stability to get back on their feet.
There’s not a firm timeline on when the pallet shelter will be completed. Infrastructure must be constructed, and the leadership of the shelter still has yet to be decided.
Those decisions are now in the works with the City of Burien and King County Regional Homelessness Authority.