KOMO News: Rotating winter shelter for homeless coming to Lake City, Shoreline

On Sunday KOMO News published a story about a temporary, rotating winter homeless shelter run by Union Gospel Mission coming to churches in Lake City and Shoreline.

And according to the KOMO story the coming shelter is a surprise to some in the Lake City community —even after previous shelter plans that surprised the community prompted vows of more transparency with future shelter plans. People contacted for the story learned of the plan from the KOMO reporter.

The plan, according to the KOMO report, is part of a request by the Lake City Task Force on Homelessness to bring the rotating shelter to three area churches, beginning on Monday, January 7th.

The schedule for the shelter is below:

• Jan 7 – Jan 27, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 14514 20th Avenue Northeast, Shoreline
• Jan 28 – Feb 17, Seattle Mennonite Church, 3120 NE 125th St., Seattle
• Feb 17 – Mar 15, Lake City Baptist Church, 2441 Northeast 125th Street, Seattle

From the KOMO story:

According to [Paul] LaRose [of Union Gospel Mission], shelter organizers took concerns made by neighbors and business owners last year and came up with a different way to run the temporary shelter this time around.
"We are only offering an overnight shelter, from 7:00p.m. to 7:00a.m., primarily for people of Lake City. Last year that's what we tried to do but people were being referred by hospitals, like Harborview, and clinics when they were released. Someone would send them to Lake City, or the eastside Bellevue shelter, this year we don't expect it to be like that," said LaRose.
Mike Duke, owner of the Grocery Outlet in Lake City, says he understands people need help, and initially he allowed those staying at the shelter last year to use his store’s restroom. But he says his business ended up losing so much inventory they were forced to put locks on the bathroom doors. 
"We had a terrible problem with panhandlers in the parking lot being really aggressive. Shoplifting was our biggest problem. We lost $28,000 in inventory during the quarter the shelter was open which was way over our normal amount and as soon as it shut down our loses went back to normal levels," said Duke.

You can read the entire KOMO report here.

Announcement: No Winter Shelter at Fire Station 39

Last night at North District Council, Thomas Whittemore from the Department of Neighborhoods announced that there would not be a Winter Shelter at the Fire Station 39 this winter. This was confirmed by phone with Richard Gholaghong from FAS as well as Jerry DeGrieck at the Mayor's Office.

The public disorder in that area is still a problem though. The current thinking on the best use of the old fire station space is to provide a "Storefront" for Seattle Police, also known as a cop shop. It provides them with a place to complete their paperwork during work hours as well as a rest stop for eating and stretching. A strong police presence at that intersection will go a long way toward addressing the near constant public disorder that negatively impacts our perception of Lake City.

The future of this property is still up in the air, and your presence at the two upcoming meetings matter. More information about those here and here.

Below is a timeline of the Fire Station permitting and occupancy over the last two years.

Open publication - Free publishing - More fs39

Community Response to Fire Station #39 Disposition Report

 The preliminary report on the Fire Station #39 property recommends developing the site for low-income/homeless housing. This recommendation is based on FAS’s (Dept. of Finance and Administrative Services) evaluation of the site in terms of guidelines established by Council Resolution # 29799. The guidelines (and therefore the report) are structured around four main areas:

Lake City Community Center has inadequate ADA access, no sporting facilities,
and unsafe pedestrian access.

Lake City Community Center has inadequate ADA access, no sporting facilities,
and unsafe pedestrian access



Guideline A: Consistency with Statutes and Conditions of Purchase
The report provides an incomplete picture of the FS#39 property.

• Both the property and improvements were originally purchased with community resources prior to its annexation.

• Historically, the building has been used for many civic functions: a city hall, library, community center, and a volunteer fire department.

• When the property was transferred via annexation to the City of Seattle, it continued to serve as a multi-functional civic space: a fire station, Neighborhood Service Center, and location for North Helpline.

None of these details are in the report. Understanding the community’s historic relationship with that property is essential to understanding the community’s wishes that it continue to be used as a civic space.

Also, FAS’s recommendation of a negotiated sale risks violation of Section 1.A.4.b regarding RCW 43.09.210 which requires it be sold at true and full value to a public service industry.


Guideline B: Compatibility and Suitability
The report contrasts traffic along Lake City Way with 30^th Ave NE, saying that LCW is the retail corridor and painting a picture of 30^th as a residential dead zone.  This is misleading.

• 30^th provides the primary entrance for the retail businesses on the Wilcoxon property (Elliott Bay, KaffeeKlatsch, FedEx, Bartells, etc.)

• The nearby Seattle Gymnastics Academy is an example of a successful retail business that experiences heavy traffic, despite its lack of signage and its location on a dead-end street.

• The report does not mention the Pierre Visioning Project anywhere in this context and this oversight is unacceptable. Outcomes from the Pierre Properties Visioning Workshop (conducted with Lake City residents in May 2012) indicate a desire to see 30th developed as a mix of pedestrian-friendly civic core and retail space.

• This omission is compounded by the report’s recommendation, which does not align with the desired economic development of the area along 30^th as outlined in both neighborhood plans.

Under Section 1.B.1 the guidelines require that FAS’s recommendation comply with adopted neighborhood plans.  The North District Comprehensive Plan clearly indicates the use of FS#39 property for civic purposes.

The report lists the following City-owned properties and claims they “serve the general community with recreational and educational opportunities.”  The report uses this list to argue against retention of the FS#39 property for Parks or civic purposes. A simple site visit would illustrate that these properties are not functioning in the way the report claims.

click for larger view

Under Section 1.B.2 the report extensively details the need for more low-income housing throughout Seattle. However, the report fails to provide any details about why this low-income housing should be located in Lake City or at this site.

The only reasoning provided is a list of five “recent” housing developments. These are given as examples of “a multifamily and retail building boom,”  ̶  the implication being that more low-income housing is needed to offset this building boom. On the list:

• Solara is the only “market rate” housing listed and it was built over 10 years ago.

• The other four projects – all low-income housing – were built in the last 3 years.

• There are more low-income/homeless housing projects breaking ground in Lake City this year that are not included in the report.

The City is using a recent building boom of low-income housing to justify adding even more. The report implies that the solution to a citywide problem is to concentrate low-income housing in Lake City.

Under Section 1.B.8 the guidelines require a review of “other priorities reflected in adopted City policy”. The Consolidated Plan and the 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness are referred to as policies that supersede both the North District Comp Plan and the Lake City Civic Plan.

The report also refers to an unfinished Needs Assessment conducted by the Office of Housing & Dept. of Human Services as if it is a foregone conclusion that the site is appropriate for low-income housing. This Needs Assessment is not currently available to the public, nor was it available when the preliminary FS#39 report was written.

The housing developments cited within the report speak for themselves. In the last 3 years, Lake City has added 75 units of homeless housing for people with substance abuse problems and another 21 on the way for dual-diagnosis homeless, two SHAG subsidized senior housing developments and four large SHA projects.

• This does not include all of the other low-income housing in the area, such as Oxford houses, Section 8, DSHS group homes, subsidized apartments, etc.

• The report also does not take into account Lake City’s lack of equity with other Seattle neighborhoods in terms of economic development, pedestrian access and civic amenities.

• Nor does the report address the impact of the many “negative” community aspects located nearby, such as adult entertainment facilities, gun shops, marijuana related retail, etc.

Under Section 1.B.4 (Economic Development) the report states, “there may not be an immediate market for stand-alone commercial development due to the poor economy.” This is a direct contradiction to Section D (Potential for use by the General Public) where the report states, “The property would likely receive multiple, market-rate offers if made available through an open competitive process.”

Under Section 1.B.5 the guidelines require review of the property for potential as a park or open space. Yet this report only examines the possibility of the space as a community center, which would require an expensive upgrade. The option of tearing the building down and creating open space was not considered. Extensive community feedback suggested:

• Transferring and land banking the site for future development as civic space, such as a skate park, a flex-green space/outdoor music or theater venue, or a permanent location for the LC Farmer’s Market.

• These options would not require an expensive acquisition or intrusion on existing parks space.

• Funding for a skatepark in Lake City is currently being secured and the FS39 location would be ideal for size and location. The design could also incorporate other beneficial community components, such as a covered structure with community garden green roof. Produce from the garden could be used to support North Helpline.

Under res 29799 “Procedures for the Evaluation of the Reuse and Disposal of the City’s Real Property,” Section 5.A reads “It is the intent of the City to strategically utilize Real Property in order to further the City’s goals and to avoid holding properties without an adopted municipal purpose.”  The City’s Skatepark Masterplan does indicate a potential municipal use for that space and we request a meeting with Parks to discuss this option.

Guideline C: Other Factors
Under Section 1.C.1 the “highest and best use” should be considered. The reports own finding is that the property’s highest and best use is as market rate housing with first floor retail and that the highest return to the city would be through an open bid process.

Under Section 1.C.1.1 (Physically Possible), the report mentions that, “Thirtieth Avenue Northeast has been closed to through traffic about three blocks north of the subject.  This inhibits the flow of traffic moving north and south across the front of the property.”  This is false.  The street that is closed to through traffic is 27th Ave. NE, which is adjacent to the new fire station, not the old.  30^th Ave. NE remains a busy through street.

Under Section 1.C.7 the “conditions in the real estate market” are described. The report refers to information from Colliers International that says developers are “anxious to build” in Lake City. They also say 812 housing units will be built in north Seattle  between now and 2014 by private developers- adding further demand for civic amenities that are currently lacking.  This again contradicts the claim in Section 1.B.4 that “there may not be an immediate market for stand-alone commercial development due to the poor economy.”

Guideline D: Public Involvement and Sale Options
The report states that FAS received comments from 219 separate individuals. This is also misleading. A petition with 203 signatures was gathered in person by Lake City residents and submitted to FAS, bringing the total comments received to 422 individuals.
Of that 422, over 90% state a preference for converting the property into a civic amenity. Only 9 explicitly state their support for low-income housing. These numbers present a striking contrast to the City’s recommendation.

Recommendation
The end of the report recaps the three potential options:
A)    Use of the site for civic amenities
B)    Selling the site via an open bid process for market-rate development
C)    Use of the site for low-income/homeless housing and services
The report disregards option A by stating that DPR could not run two separate Community Centers. Yet nowhere in the community feedback is it documented that the public was asking for 2 community centers. This is an intentionally narrow definition of the feedback received.
The end of the first paragraph states “DPR has purchased and is planning the development of a large park site three blocks southeast of this property.”  Assuming this is the recent acquisition on 33rd Ave. NE, this park site is 10,000 square feet, hardly a large park. The intent for that park space is as a community garden for the immediately adjacent low-income housing tenants.
FAS ignores option B and recommends option C because it helps fulfill a municipal goal. This completely disregards FAS’s own determination of the “highest and best use” of the property. It also disregards the will of the community as repeatedly expressed by the hundreds of residents who participated in the North District Comp Plan, Civic Plan, Pierre Visioning Project, recent petitions and letter writing, as well as the hundreds of residents who spoke out against the City’s intent at public hearings regarding this property.

This response was created in conjunction with the Lake City Neighborhood Alliance (LCNA), a coalition of representatives from different neighborhood groups throughout the Lake City area working to inform and empower our diverse community.

Original post on Families for Lake City 

PHOTOS: Union Gospel Mission emergency shelter invites community to BBQ, prepares to close

On Saturday the community came together at the Union Gospel Mission Emergency Winter Shelter for a good 'ol community Barbecue.

Korean-style ribs, beans and salad were among some of the foods enjoyed by residents, staff, volunteers and community members during the event.

The shelter has been part of our community since it opened in November. The shelter is scheduled to close on April 1st.

Members of Douglas Park Cooperative have taken large bowls of home-made soup to shelter residents, participated in the advisory council and helped lead a weekly litter patrol with shelter residents. Many of the residents have participated in the litter patrols and have helped clean up our community.

The future of the building and the site is still being decided and groups such as Douglas Park Cooperative and Families for Lake City are working to have the site used for civic and community programs for youth, something that many say is lacking in our increasingly dense community.

There are many more photos from the event below. Click 'Read more' to see them.

Your chance to help: Big pots of soup needed at UGM Shelter

Douglas Park Cooperative member Annie Stocker, owner of Two Dog Yoga, has been delivering and coordinating big pots of homemade soup that are delivered weekly to the Union Gospel Mission Shelter at the Old 39.

For this week's delivery on Thursday, she is making a big pot of yummy chicken noodle matzo ball soup. But Annie, who has been coordinating neighbors and students at her yoga studio for the soup deliveries, needs help.

If you are good in the kitchen here is your chance to help out in our community.

Volunteers that sign up can help by making "the biggest pot of soup you can make —with or without meat," she said. The pots are delivered either Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning before 8 a.m. You can pick up your pot Thursday after 5 p.m.

Annie said no one signed up for the March 22nd soup or the March 29th soup makings and deliveries.

Here is a list of possible recipes via Seattle-based website Allrecipes.com. But don't feel limited. If your grandmother's split pea recipe is close to your heart, why not share it?

If you can help with this important need in our community please contact Annie at annie@twodogyoga.com to sign up for one of the available dates.

Input from residents, property owners within 1,000 feet of Old 39 requested by City

The City of Seattle is asking for input from property owners and residents within 1,000 feet of the Old 39. The fire station is currently being utilized by the Union Gosepel Mission as a temporary winter homeless shelter.

Many residents inside and outside of that 1,000 foot boundary have expressed strong opinions about the use of the old property as other possible uses for the property have also been discussed —and laid out in the Lake City Comprehensive neighborhood plan.

In the late-1990s the Lake City Comprehensive plan was a document crafted and agreed upon by members of the Lake City community and the City of Seattle. It envisioned changes in the neighborhood through 2014. The document outlines uses for the property once the new fire station was built.

The City's Department of Finance and Administrative Services has determined the property to be excess and is looking for input from residents.

The issue of the use of the site has been hotly debated as many feel the Lake City neighborhood has reached a saturation point with low-income services and housing. Some in the neighborhood have also discussed the passive way issues appear to be dealt with in the neighborhood instead of active programs that offer empowerment to low-income residents.

Below is the notice from the City of Seattle asking for input from those within 1,000 feet of the Old 39.




You may write or send a fax with your comments to

Department of Finance and Administrative Services
Attn: Richard Gholaghong
PO Box 94689, Seattle, WA
98124-4689

Richard Gholaghong at (206) 684-062

Email:
richard.gholaghong@seattle.gov

Fax (206) 684-0525


Comments are due by April 4, 2012 

UGM Shelter Advisory Council - Minutes - February 21st

Lake City UGM Shelter Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes

2/21/2012

1. Call to order

Terry Pallas called to order the regular meeting of the Lake City Shelter Advisory Committee at 4:05pm on 2/21/2012 in the Lake City Community Center Meeting Room.

1. Roll call

The following persons were present: 

• Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission – Paul LaRose
• Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission – Terry C. Pallas
• At Large Business Member – Suzy Smith
• Cedar Park Senior Housing Authority Group (SHAG) – Elena Earle, Jim Hicks
• At Large Resident Member – Janet Arkills
• At Large Resident Member – Chuck Dickey
• Mennonite/Lake City Task Force on Homelessness (LCTF) – Sally Kinney
• Lake City Development Council – Joe Simmons

The following persons were absent: 

• Lake City Community Council – Cheryl Klinker 
• At Large Business Member and Resident – Annie Stocker
• UGM Shelter guest

1. Approval of minutes from last meeting

Terry Pallas motioned to approve minutes, Joe Simmons seconded. Minutes from 2/7/12 were approved.

1. SUGM Statistical Report

• 229 registered guests to date (number represents guests who have stayed at least one night)
• Bed nights from February 1-19:825 (36 men average, 7 women average) 
• Meals served from February 1-19:  2186 (115 meals a day average)
• UGM Rep. Paul shared, “In the last two weeks we have been able to assist 4 people in their pursuit of relocating back to family. These individuals have been stuck in the area and are now out of town and back in the presence of their family.” 
• UGM Rep Terry noted the downtown UGM facility is opening an additional 32 beds in its recovery program in response to increased need (county-wide) over the last 18 months, hopes guests at LCShelter will opt into this programming.
• SHAG Resident Jim Hicks noted that Veterans’ Affairs has inverted its policy of mandatory drug and alcohol rehabilitation before housing vouchers. Pointed out that any guests at LCShelter who are veterans should be able to access housing via the VA, given this new policy.
• UGM Rep Paul noted he has dispersed LCShelter contact information to several Lake City businesses and received varying levels of interest.
• Committee Member Janet asked how many calls LCShelter receives from local businesses, how are calls handled.  UGM Rep Paul said he has received a few calls per week. When he does, he sends UGM staff to engage persons. Janet asked about police involvement and Paul noted police are only involved when there is an incident onsite at LCShelter. 
1. SHAG Resident Jim, noted he lives across the street from LCShelter, has observed increased incidents in the last three months, many that are not reported to LCShelter or to police. Cited example of 2/20/12 a group loitering and drinking by Blockbuster at 4pm, 2/21/12 group of 8-9 men in front of Sporthaus Schmetzer loitering and drinking. Stated it wouldn’t have mattered if UGM staff addressed these groups or not, believes they wouldn’t go to LCShelter because they wouldn’t be allowed to drink there.
2. UGM Rep Paul noted police respond to reports of drinking loiterers by asking them to leave (citations not usually given).

Discussion ensued re: police handling of loiterers and its efficacy 

• Committee Member Chuck noted group of homeless men blocking crosswalk by post office noon on (2/18/12) called police, men were back at 3:10 - called police again. Chuck noted he stopped at LCShelter at 4:10 and asked UGM staff to speak with loiterers, staff said it was not their job.  UGM Rep Paul responded he would discuss this with his staff.
• Committee Member Janet cited similar experience with drinking/loitering on 2/11/12 with two people in front of post office, four blocking newsstands across the street from post office and three directly across from LCShelter (behind Papa Murphy’s).

• Committee Member Chuck noted discrepancy of church involvement -  noted he does not see church involvement during the day in engaging homeless and intervening in nuisance behaviors, but does see avid homeless advocacy from churches via emails.
• Mennonite/LCTF Rep Sally responded that churches do a lot to help people in Lake City.
• SHAG Resident Jim noted conversations with police about inefficiencies with citations for public drinking. Is working to identify loopholes to enable police, businesses and residents to better manage nuisance situations. Suggested alternatives to the existing $27 citation that would provide more accountability, such as community service.
1. Mennonite/LCTF Rep Sally noted that City Municipal Court has alternatives to paying citations, but doesn’t have ability to enforce this option.
• SHAG Rep. Elena asked if LCShelter guests were involved in last week’s stabbing at 99Cent Store (across the street from LCShelter). UGM Rep Paul said he was unaware of any - no one came to speak with him or LCShelter guests regarding it.
• Sally asked if UGM enters data into Safe Harbors. UGM Rep Terry said no, they are not required to, UGM has considered voluntary participation but not implemented it.

1. Open Issues:

1. UGM Rep Terry asked how UGM can help Lake City neighborhood as LCShelter closes in March. 
1. Committee Member Joe noted that UGM’s model of service does not seem fit the needs of the service resistant homeless causing problems in Lake City. Also noted that the Mennonite/LCTF model of service has been ineffectual in addressing problem behaviors.

Discussion ensued re: UGM’s model of service versus Lake City Taskforce on Homelessness model of service

• Mennonite/LCTF Rep Sally stated how helpful churches have been to Lake City community, noted how Melanie & Jonathon Neufeld helped place veterans into McDermott Place. Some disagreement between committee members ensued.

1. Terry suggested UGM provide its “Morning Watch” and “Search and Rescue” programs in Lake City after LCShelter closes.  (Both programs aim to engage homeless and invite them to UGM facilities to receive services.)
2. SHAG Resident Jim noted there was some nuisance behavior prior to LCShelter opening, but it was non-violent. Noted a “new” group of 5 or 6 violent individuals who pose danger to community. (Cited assaults in Bartell’s parking lot, at Fred Meyer, and groups of men engaged in fights.) Noted some are homeless, some are residents of McDermott Place. His concern is how to isolate these individuals who pose a threat to personal safety from those causing nuisances. 

Discussion ensued, re:“Jesse”: 

• SHAG Resident Jim heard Jesse had been kicked out of LCShelter, asked UGM about this. 
• UGM Rep Paul said he lives in area but has issues at home, utilized the LCShelter early on, but not lately, noted his behavior is escalating and indicated there may be mental health issues. 
• Conversation ensued about cross-dressing homeless man who has approached SHAG residents for sex. 
• UGM Rep Terry noted the advantage of having UGM Rep Paul available as a resource because of his relationship with homeless in the area, noted Paul will be unavailable after LCShelter closes. Recommended Morning Watch program or calling UGM’s mental health chaplaincy number to address issues.

1. Committee Member Suzy discussed North Precinct safety meeting to address the idea that “crime doesn’t land in one lap”. Second meeting is called for 2/23/12. Invited UGM Rep Terry to come. Terry indicated UGM Rep Paul could attend.
2. Committee Member Chuck stated his appreciation for LCShelter guests who have positive attitudes about helping with litter pick-up, contributing to community. Expressed frustration with homeless who do not work or help. Cited example of group of 8 people at Standard Station loitering & drinking.
3. Committee Member Joe asked SHAG Rep Elena about SHAG facility, re: How are residents feeling about their security? Elena noted that building is locked down - all common areas are locked from 10pm to 8am. Noted that before LCShelter opened, SHAG regularly had homeless entering facility and sleeping in common areas. Stated the facility has not had more problems, but because lockdown and opening of LCShelter were simultaneous, it’s hard to determine cause/effect.
4. UGM Rep Terry noted SHAG residents expressed safety concerns walking in neighborhood prior to LCShelter opening, asked if that’s changed. SHAG Rep Elena noted resident concerns are about the same, mostly because of loitering. Cited examples of loiterers congregated around post office, at Grocery Outlet, by Bartell’s and behind Papa Murphy’s. 
5. SHAG Resident Jim described interaction with young woman in distress. Said she was afraid to go to LCShelter because of bad behavior of both male & female LCShelter guests. Jim asked about separation of men & women at LCShelter.
1. UGM Rep Paul explained separation of men & women after 7:00pm until 6:00am (LCShelter day room is not separated). Notes there’ve been some complaints from women about men, but none this severe. UGM Rep Paul asked Jim to send her to Paul if he sees her again, noted many homeless females have inherent mistrust of males due to domestic violence issues.

Discussion ensued, re: Guest awareness of LCShelter closing. 

• UGM Rep Terry noted it has been an ongoing conversation with guests for some time.

1. Committee Member Janet noted the precedent of mistrust and tension established by the lack of forthright communication from UGM, the City and the Mennonite/LCTF prior to LCShelter opening. Requested UGM consider this in future dealings with Lake City or other neighborhoods.
1. UGM Rep Terry stated that UGM wasn’t allowed to say anything to the community until Mayor McGinn put information about the LCShelter on his blog. Terry stated that UGM wanted to engage in conversations with community, but couldn’t until proposal was officially approved.
2. Committee Member Chuck asked about the pastor’s meeting led by Clark Jennings. UGM Rep Paul noted it seemed very preliminary - sharing info about what they’re doing. Noted he broached idea of “adoption” of LCShelter guests, but has not been approached by churches for recommendations.
3. Committee Member Suzy asked for list of what LCShelter needs. UGM Rep Terry referred her to wishlist at Amazon.com (type in “seattle union gospel mission”).
4. Committee Member Janet noted quantity of empty beer cans collected directly across the street from LCShelter on 2/6/12. (Majority of cans found on east side of 30^th Ave from Elliot Bay parking lot to back of 99Cent store on Penos properties.)

1. Action Items:

None.

1. Adjournment

Terry Pallas adjourned the meeting at 5:10 pm. Next meeting 3/6/12.