On Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, the City of Burien enforced its new camping ban and removed the homeless encampment located on Ambaum Blvd. SW & SW 120th Street.
The removal was conducted in accordance with Ordinance 827, which prohibits camping on public property between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. if shelter is available. As we previously reported, that ordinance was adopted by the Burien City Council on Oct. 2, and went into effect Nov. 1, 2023.
The ordinance also allows the city manager to expedite permitting processes to site temporary housing.
“There were several organizations on site on December 1 and throughout the ongoing outreach including LEAD, REACH, DESC, Seattle and King County Public Health, The More We Love, Salvation Army Street Level, Organization for Prostitution Survivors, and Burien Community Support Coalition,” said Emily Inlow-Hood, Communications and Public Engagement Manager for the City of Burien.
Service providers have been visiting the site for over a month, working with individuals to notify them of the ordinance and connecting them to services and shelter, the City said.
The City added that homeless people removed from the encampment were “connected to a variety of service options including both daytime and overnight shelters and recovery services. Some individuals went to the Sunnydale Village hosted at Oasis Home Church.”
Here’s a Q&A about the removal that we conducted with Inlow-Hood of the City of Burien:
When was the removal conducted?
“December 1 is when enforcement of Ordinance 827 began and the removal of the encampment occurred. Since September, City of Burien staff, including human services and public works, have been meeting weekly with service providers and Burien Police Department to coordinate response and ensure there is a shared understanding of resource availability. Service providers have been on site for over a month working with individuals to notify them of the ordinance and connect them to services and shelter.”
How many people were removed?
“People received services and information about other locations that they could access. It’s difficult to share a specific number as it depends on the day as people can come and go. Any number we could share would be a point in time count. The City is continuing to meet regularly with service providers. City staff are working on a report that will highlight the work service providers conducted for this particular site. This report will be shared with the City Council when it’s ready.”
Where did the removed homeless people go?
“People were connected to a variety of service options including both daytime and overnight shelters and recovery services. Some individuals went to the Sunnydale Village hosted at Oasis Church.”
Who conducted the removal?
“There were several organizations on site on December 1 and throughout the ongoing outreach including LEAD, REACH, DESC, Seattle and King County Public Health, The More We Love, Salvation Army Street Level, Organization for Prostitution Survivors, and Burien Community Support Coalition.”
And any other details?
“Our lead with services approach is still driving how we approach this effort. Law enforcement is there as a backstop for service providers. Even if a person were to be charged by police with violating the law, this type of offense would potentially qualify a person to be part of the LEAD program, an arrest diversion program. The City and Burien Police Department are committed to having multiple layers of contact and service provision before arrest.”
The encampment was located on a triangle on Ambaum Blvd. SW at SW 120th Street:
