(The Center Square) – The latest update for the One Seattle Homelessness Action Plan saw an increase in homeless tents over the summer season, but the city says it’s likely due to a seasonal increase in people living outdoors during warmer months.
The city counted verified homeless tents in September 2023 and found 475 throughout Seattle. That is a 17.6% increase from the 404 tents counted in the second quarter of 2023.
The increase pauses a downward trend in the number of tents citywide. The 475 verified tents is still an overall decrease of 33% since December 2022.
Another positive statistic from the September count is a continuing decrease in encampment RVs throughout the city. The latest count was 235, a drop from 292 in the second quarter. Overall, the number of encampment RVs decreased 48% since December 2022.
The decrease in encampment RVs may have also helped chip at the rate of encampment fires that occur on a daily basis in Seattle. Throughout the third quarter of 2024, there were 319 fires at tent/RV encampments, or an average of three and a half per day. According to the city, that is down from nearly four per day in the second quarter.
The One Seattle Homelessness Action Plan is the city’s strategy plan to curb homelessness throughout. The strategy includes boosting affordable housing and mental health services for people in need, as well as expand drug addiction treatment programs.
Seattle’s total funding for homelessness response in 2023 is set at $153.7 million, which includes $96.9 million allocated to the King County Regional Homelessness Authority.
The proposed 2024 mid-biennial budget would dedicate $162 million towards homelessness efforts citywide. Of the Citywide total, $119 million is allocated to the Seattle Human Services Department in 2024 for homeless outreach, shelter, services, and administration.
Approximately $106 million (88.5%) of the $119 million proposed for the department will be transferred to the King County Regional Homelessness Authority. That is a $9 million (9%) increase in the city’s contribution to the agency over the 2023 Adopted Budget and a $6 million (6%) increase over the 2024 Endorsed Budget of $100 million.
