Have you reported an encampment to Seattle officials?

The Seattle Times’ Project Homeless is supported by Campion Foundation, Raikes Foundation and Seattle Foundation. The Seattle Times maintains editorial control over Project Homeless content.

Most cities across the country remove tents, tow RVs and tell people they are not allowed to sleep outside as part of their homelessness response.

In Seattle, encampment removals have played an increasingly large role in recent years. The city has increased funding for its Unified Care Team each year from 2022 and tripled how frequently it removes tents.

Mayor Bruce Harrell says these efforts are working. His staff cites an 80% reduction in tents around the city.

But some residents say these removals just scatter people from one neighborhood to another, essentially moving problems rather than resol