Homeless camp in Xinghai Park (Photo by Assunta Ng)
We’ve covered protests and city council meetings about the expansion of a new homeless shelter on the site of the current Salvation Army shelter in Chinatown International District (CID) – with funding approved by former Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan.
We heard debate and outrage from CID community members and leaders that this sanctuary was announced without community input.
We reported on the closing of at least three businesses in the past few months – Starbucks stores, Bartell Drugs and Viet Wah supermarkets.
Last week, for three days in a row, a homeless man parked himself in front of our office.
Garbage dump under I-5 on Jackson Street. (Image credit: Patty Fong)
The CID is already home to the Navigation Center (another facility without our consent or input), dozens of unauthorized camps, and this sanctuary will be another place where the homeless congregate.
Come to CID, why not check? We are the “one stop shopping” place for every homeless person.
We sympathize with the homeless. But we don’t like the problems that come with it.
They have a right, and so do we – to live and work in a safe and clean environment.
Image credit: Patty Fong
The problem has gotten worse over the years.
This is not safe for residents, especially the most vulnerable among us. There was physical violence – old people were beaten! – Theft and assault are commonplace. Businesses and cars are constantly being broken into, not to mention hygiene issues.
There are currently 10 shelters within a mile radius of the CID.
Apparently, the emergency order issued by Durkan during COVID removed the need to obtain any shelter permit. Will New York City now use this loophole to ignore our concerns and expedite approval of this sanctuary?
The shelter expansion and its only five years of operation will cost $66.5 million, much of which will come from federal funds for the U.S. rescue program. At the end of the day, the space will be rented out, not even owned. We think this is a gross misuse of taxpayer funds! As protester Matt Chan asked rhetorically: “Who made a fortune here?”
This large shelter – presented without community involvement – will be the death knell for our community!
Elected officials easily make decisions from the comfort and safety of their homes (most likely in more affluent and white neighborhoods) that the problems they should be trying to solve are not staring at them every day, nor directly impacting their business, safety or life.
Live in CID for 30 days. Take a walk outside and see and smell the trash and human waste on the street.
Witnessing elders being harassed and beaten. Hear from business owners — who poured out their blood, sweat, tears, and possibly life savings — about their bottom lines shrinking as terrified customers stay away because of safety concerns.
If shelter is so good, why not spread it to other communities?
Stop dumping CIDs. This large complex is sure to kill us.
