White Center Now: The blog about White Center

(First published on partner site West Seattle Blog)

(July photo courtesy Diane Radischat)

WSDOT has just announced that the long-in-the-works clearing of the encampment on the east side of Myers Way is imminent:

After two months of state partners actively working with service providers, local partners, law enforcement and neighbors, WSDOT crews posted a notice to vacate the encampment at Myers Way this morning. Service providers with KCRHA (REACH and PDA/CoLEAD) have offered services and housing that would reasonably match the needs of the people on site. Over 80% of those who were staying at the site have been matched with shelter or housing that will work for them; many have already moved to those accommodations. Outreach workers will continue to help everyone who has accepted housing to move off site over the next several days. Next week, WSDOT will begin cleaning and repairing the site, removing excess vegetation and making other modifications at the site to help prevent resettlement.

Two weeks ago, in its previous update, WSDOT had said that one-third of the known 50+ people on the site had moved into housing. The last community meeting about the situation was in July, around the same time WSDOT said RVs and other vehicles needed to be removed before they blocked off access. (As is clearly visible to passers-by, some remain.) Three months have passed since West Seattle/South Park City Councilmember Lisa Herbold said the city and state – both of which are property owners in the area – were working on “resolution” of the encampment situation, following incidents including a murder. Even before that, Arrowhead Gardens residents across the street had been pleading for something to be done, citing crime and safety concerns at their senior-living complex.

If you’re interested in the tiny-house encampment just inside the Seattle city limits on Myers Way, take note – its Community Advisory Committee meetings are changing to a new day/time starting this week, as of Tuesday (November 9th):

Camp Second Chance Community Advisory Committee Meeting Announcement

Take note! The day and time for our recurring meetings will now be the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:00 pm! The Zoom ID and password will be the SAME as we have used previously. Please update your calendars!

The next meeting of the Camp Second Chance Community Advisory Committee will be Tuesday November 9th at 6:00 pm.

Due to concerns and limitations related to the COVID-19 pandemic, meetings are being conducted virtually until further notice.

Topic: C2C CAC Monthly Meeting
Time: 6:00 PM Pacific Time
Location: via Zoom

Join Meeting instantly:
us02web.zoom.us/j/85855234269?pwd=aG1yeDkzTWtmS0MyVENLUzRsYXNBQT09

Or by phone:

One tap mobile
+12532158782,,85855234269#,,1#,9701# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 858 5523 4269
Password: 9701

(First published on partner site West Seattle Blog)

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

For the first time in the pandemic, Camp Second Chance – the City of Seattle-authorized tiny-house encampment just outside North Highline – has reported COVID cases.

That was one of the updates the CSC Community Advisory Committee heard during its monthly meeting, held online this afternoon.

None of the three were seriously ill, said camp manager Scott Harris; two are a couple. and all three were quarantined at county facilities set aside for that purpose. Camp Second Chance also has another mobile vaccination clinic visiting this week, on Wednesday, with flu and Hepatitis A shots as well as COVID vaccine.

Other updates:

CAMP TOPLINES: Harris said 56 people are currently living at CSC (9701 Myers Way S.). August saw nine arrivals and five exits – three “abandonments” (including a mother and son who were reported to have won a casino jackpot that enabled them to get housing) and one person who transferred to another tiny-house encampment because he wasn’t getting along with people. The camp logged four 911 calls in August, three for medical reasons one call to police for a disruption involving a former resident who had to be trespassed as a result.

CAMP STAFFING: Harris also mentioned LIHI – which holds the city-funded contract to run the camp, and employs him and other paid staffers – is hiring a village organizer, a “security plus” position that is already on board at LIHI’s other tiny-house encampments. Security will be part of the VO’s job, 4-8 pm Wednesday-Sunday, but camp residents will still take turns working security as well.

CAMP MAINTENANCE: Harris is looking for a new 40′ x 60′ tarp for the kitchen structure’s roof. Also, the security shack will be leveled – it sits crookedly on its site, he explained. He’s also hoping to add one or two tiny houses to the site.

NEW CASE MANAGER: A highlight of the meeting was the update from new case manager Marjorie Johnson, the first permanent case manager hired for Camp Second Chance in many months. She said 16 of the residents are working on housing applications; she’s working with three to clear previous eviction debt so they can qualify for apartments. Four are on a list for emergency housing vouchers. One person has joined the Fare Start training program and three more are applying. Two veterans at the camp have “reconnected with the VA.” She has a new relationship with a Burien organization that’s potentially going to help with housing and jobs. In all, she said she has engaged with all but 7 of the campers so far; relationship-building has its challenges, she explained, telling a story of how she managed to bond with one camper because of her dog Diamond – “rapport is one of the #1 things in building trust with people.” All this in just one month on the job. “Marjorie rocks!” enthused Harris.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS’ CONCERNS: CAC chair Willow Fulton and member Grace Stiller both brought up the continuing issue of pedestrian dangers along Myers Way, where in some places a fence along the west side of the street forces people on foot further into the street. No city staffer was in attendance again this month, though, so they couldn’t raise the concern directly.

NEXT MEETING: A new monthly meeting date hasn’t been worked out yet so at this point they’re continuing with the first Sunday (pushed back a week this month because of Labor Day weekend), 2 pm – that means October 3rd. Connection information is in our ongoing calendar listing.

Camp Second Chance, a tiny-house encampment supported by the City of Seattle, is just east of White Center, so you might be interested in its monthly Community Advisory Committee meeting for updates and questions. It’s online at 2 pm tomorrow (Sunday, June 6th). Here’s how to attend/participate:

Join Meeting instantly:
us02web.zoom.us/j/85855234269?pwd=aG1yeDkzTWtmS0MyVENLUzRsYXNBQT09

If needed:
Meeting ID: 858 5523 4269
Password: 9701

Sane codes apply if you dial in – 253-215-8782

Want to be on the mailing list for meeting announcements? c2ccacchair@gmail.com

The Camp Second Chance Community Advisory Committee usually meets on the first Sunday of the month, but not this month – because of Easter, the meeting’s been pushed back to April 11th. 2 pm as usual, online – the video participation link is here, phone-in number is 253-215-8782; in either case, meeting ID 858 5523 4269 and passcode 9701.

All are welcome to the monthly meeting at 2 pm online – get updates, and ask questions, about the Seattle city-sanctioned tiny-house encampment that’s on the edge of North Highline, as the Camp Second Chance Community Advisory Committee meets. The videoconferencing link is here, or you can call in at 253-215-8782, meeting ID 858 5523 4269, password 9701.

King County Sheriff’s Deputies are in the 10600 block of Myers Way South right now, investigating a shooting. A woman reported a man had been shot, and described the person who did it as male, Asian, 5’10”, 165 pounds, long dark hair, wearing a red bandana, dark sweatshirt, and black pants. We don’t know the victim’s condition; medics have been dispatched. Deputies plan to use a K9 to search.

(Also published on partner site West Seattle Blog</strong>)