On Tuesday, the City Council passed the mid-year supplemental budget including an amendment from Councilmember Lin that invests $500,000 in a Northern District 2 community fund. The City Council directed these funds to the Human Services Department (HSD) to provide two neighborhood outreach positions focused on North Beacon Hill and North Rainier.

“North Beacon Hill and North Rainier cannot wait for relief,” said Councilmember Eddie Lin (District 2). “These areas have seen a huge uptick in anti-social behavior since late last year, including fires, open air drug use, drug dealing, verbal and physical threats, trash, human waste, property destruction, and blocked access to streets, sidewalks, parks, and businesses. This could not wait for next year’s budget.”

“Outreach coordinators will not solve all our problems overnight; they are an important component of a broader response the city must lead that includes law enforcement, shelter, housing, mental healthcare, and more. We cannot leave our neighbors suffering, and we must improve safety for all of us.

“Thank you to my colleagues for supporting this equitable, holistic approach to public safety — acknowledging the need both for human services and policing.“I am grateful for the deep engagement with neighbors and homeless service providers like REACH. My office will continue to advocate for coordination across silos, as we work toward tangible improvements in these neighborhoods,” concluded Councilmember Lin.

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