SEATTLE, Wash. — A state-owned lot in south Seattle once home for dozens before being buried in trash and vehicles, is empty again.
In March, when Gov. Jay Inslee toured the site, 33 people called the Washington Department of Transportation property home, living out of trailers, cars, and tents.
”It was a heckuva lotta work. When I was here last, this was just covered,” said Inslee upon returning to the now vacant lot Thursday morning.
The site is one of 30 state-owned properties cleared by funding allocated by the 2022 legislature. According to the Washington Department of Commerce, the state has spent $143 million on the project.
More than 1,000 people have been moved into homes or shelters as a result of the work, according to the state.
In addition to removing vehicles and trash, the state provides funding for nonprofits to help find temporary or permanent housing for those living on state property, said Inslee.
Inslee said the state has also helped organizations build tiny home villages and purchase hotels to be used for shelters.
When legislators return to Olympia in January, Inslee said he will request another $100 million to continue the work.
A Department of Transportation spokesperson said there may be more than 2,000 other state-owned properties across the state being used as encampments.
Some of the locations may only have one or two residents.
”When people feel sticker shock at what this costs, it’s because we’re getting something for our money for decades,” said Inslee. "Washington is a better state than one that would have homeless encampments all up and down the Evergreen State’s highways.”