As temps drop, City of Yakima says no to homeless shelter | Washington Low Income Housing Alliance

This truly started as a group effort that included City of Yakima leadership since the day the planning started. Local nonprofit Yakima Neighborhood Health Services took lead on the studies, surveys, funding research, and reporting to increase community support. Admittedly, overall support from city officials was lacking. However, throughout the process, the mayor and council voiced wanting a solution to shelter the city’s homeless population and voiced wanted to be included in the process. This is why the network was shocked when during the final minutes of the October 21st city council meeting, City Manager Tony O’Rourke requested an emergency vote for a moratorium on zoning for any new homeless shelters in the city limits.

At issue, according to Mr. O’Rourke (pictured right) was the proposed shelter location. The site is situated just outside of a designated business corridor in an area he considers a possible site for “gentrification.” Based on research compiled by different agencies, we believe the site is ideal for a permanent shelter because it’s located within walking distance of other service provider locations as well as the main transit center. The proposed site is also in an area where people who are homeless have historically congregated. When surveyed about the potential shelter, residents in the neighborhood were overwhelmingly supportive. The majority of comments spoke to the benefit of offering an alternative to sleeping in parks, doorways, or in empty houses. Because people have nowhere else to go, we believe the city will have a difficult time finding investment in this neighborhood. Our studies indicate the shelter is a positive step in the community’s urban renewal.

In addition, the lack of shelter has resulted in the city’s ongoing criminalization of homeless people. Increasingly police have been arresting individuals for loitering in parks or trespassing in the areas where they camp. Members of the city council have expressed their frustration with the issues of homelessness. But their solutions are to make ordinances, such as the recent panhandling law, with the philosophy that the homeless will simply “go away” if they fear law enforcement.

Fortunately, city council members questioned why the city manager presented the moratorium without community or council input. They further protested that the item was never on the agenda. Council members Kathy Coffey and Rick Ensey voted against the moratorium. The moratorium passed. However, this lack of consensus means the moratorium won’t go into effect for another 30 days. This means Yakima Neighborhood Health Services can still submit their request for the shelter zoning considerations. Also, there will be a public hearing at the November 18th city council meeting.

Homeless Network of Yakima County members, the ALPHA Team (a group of currently and formerly homeless advocates), and other community supporters are rallying to organize advocacy efforts to show the city that Yakima residents truly support a permanent shelter. Please help us tell the Yakima City Manager and Yakima City Council Members why a permanent shelter benefits the entire community:

We’re asking Yakima residents to write letters to the editor stating support for a permanent shelter.
Here's how to submit a letter to the Yakima-Herald.
The Washington Low Income Housing Alliance also has this handy guide on how to write a compelling advocacy letter.
Please also contact city council members asking them to vote against a moratorium.
Their emails are here:
Tony O’Rourke (City Manager) - tony.orourke@yakimawa.gov
Micah Cawley (Mayor, At Large) - micah.cawley@yakimawa.gov
Kathy Coffey (Assistant Mayor, District 4) - kathy.coffey@yakimawa.gov
Maureen Adksion (District 1) - maureen.adkison@yakimawa.gov
Tom Dittmar (District 2) - tom.dittmar@yakimawa.gov
Rick Ensey (District 3) - rick.ensey@yakimawa.gov
Dave Ettl (At Large) - dave.ettl@yakimawa.gov
Bill Lover (At Large) - bill.lover@yakimawa.gov
The Housing Alliance will also help us create a Take Action page that will make e-mail advocacy easier.
Lastly, we ask that as many people as possible attend the city council meeting on November 18. More information on the agenda coming soon.

Please join us to overcome this barrier to making a permanent shelter a reality in the City of Yakima!

Photos: Top Right: Yakima City Manager Tony O'Rourke (Photo Credit: City of Yakima). Middle Left: Emerging Advocates Program attendees in support of the homeless shelter. Bottom Right: Homeless Network of Yakima County Annual Picnic (Photo Credit: Homeless Network of Yakima County).

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