Recently, The College Fix's Simon Olech did a series of interviews on the campus of the University of Washington at Seattle, where he asked students what they thought of the homelessness that has plagued their city.
The interviewees made is clear that homelessness was prevalent and can be seen all around Seattle. Many students said that they themselves have witnessed homeless sleep in people's driveways and in alleys between homes, even yelling at by passers.
According to King County Regional Homelessness Authority, with around 18,365 homeless individuals in the county, which includes Seattle, 36% are sheltered and 64% are unsheltered.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has said that her administration aims to open a 1,000 new homeless shelters and emergency housing units by the end of 2026. The current plan from Wilson is that Housing First will lead to medical, mental health and substance abuse stability, and eventually lead to self-sufficiency.
However, a video from somebody currently living in one of these shelters described what life is like on the inside.
“Everybody that stays in these tiny homes is like a hardcore drug addict. We all do drugs in our homes, we're allowed to possess them, allowed to use them, just not in the common areas,” said TikTok video.
Several students believe drugs is one of the big reason as to why homelessness has skyrocketed in the city. As for the housing, many believe that treating these people mentally should happen around the same time they are housed.
One student compared it to taking Tylenol for a sinus infection, saying that the program fails to accomplish anything.
They were then asked how they felt the mayor was handling the homelessness situation. The students’ either did not know what Wilson was doing or believed it wasn’t working and needs improvement.
“I don't know what the city does, to be honest. Y'know, like there might be things that they do and I just don't see it,” said a student.
“I think she's pushing her agenda to be able to try solve it. but I just feel like it's not enough,” said another student.
