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00000181-fa79-da89-a38d-fb7f2b910000KUOW is joining forces with other Seattle media outlets to highlight the homeless crisis in the city and region on Wednesday, June 29, 2017.The effort was modeled after a collaboration by more than 70 San Francisco outlets to focus a day of news attention on the issue and possible solutions.Read more about the Seattle project and check out our coverage below. Follow the city's coverage by using #SeaHomeless.HighlightsThe Jungle: an ongoing coverage project going into the notorious homeless encampment under Interstate 5.Ask Seattle's Homeless Community: KUOW is launching a Facebook group where anyone may ask a question about homelessness, but only people who have experienced it may answer. This was inspired by a recent event KUOW co-presented with Seattle Public Library and Real Change, where residents of the Jungle answered audience questions. No End In Sight: an award-winning investigative project from KUOW about King County's 10-year plan to end homelessness.

Council Approves Mayor's Emergency Safe Lots

The Seattle City Council has approved the mayor’s emergency plan to set up two so-called “safe lots” for homeless people with cars and RV’s to stay. 

The two lots will be set up in Ballard and in Delridge in West Seattle. Together, the lots can accommodate up to 50 vehicles. Under the mayor’s plan, homeless campers can stay for up to 30 days, instead of 72 hours. The city will also provide water, sanitation and garbage collection.

Councilmember Lisa Herbold called for the mayor to provide regular updates to the council on how these emergency actions are playing out. The report back should include “demographics on people served and how they were served, including barriers to serve them,” said Herbold, “to perceived impact on communities and the city’s response to those impacts, how the executive intends to address those perceived impacts.”

While the city sets up the two safe lots, people have been allowed to park in temporarily designated right of way. These lots are not permanent. The mayor’s emergency order is good for six months, and could be extended for another six if necessary.

The mayor’s order pointed out that last year 66 homeless people died on Seattle streets.

Year started with KUOW: 1994