Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant took aim at the city’s sweep of an unauthorized homeless encampment in the Ravenna neighborhood.
On Tuesday, she opened up her committee hearing to homeless activists, and the homeless themselves, to question her colleagues and central staffers.
The hearing centered around last Tuesday’s sweep of the unauthorized encampment in the Ravenna Woods. That spot, near the Burke Gilman trail, housed a convicted felon with assault rifle ammunition, and brass knuckles according to city records. It was also overrun with waste, garbage and chemical waste, according to the same documents.
At least two neighbors told KING 5, residents of the encampment have also been responsible for a rash of break-ins, thefts, and attempted assaults.
Yet, Sawant disputed those records Tuesday. She added that the city should consider adding porta-potties to spots like the one in Ravenna, to avoid hazardous materials and human waste from entering the site.
The hearing came a day before another public meeting on the proposed head tax. That legislation calls for taxing big businesses to pay for more affordable housing and homeless services. The council is expected to discuss the legislation at the committee hearing slated for 2 p.m. on Wednesday in council chambers.
