Officials announce plan to clean up ‘The Jungle'

SEATTLE — A plan to clean up the homeless camp in South Seattle known as “The Jungle” was announced by state and city officials Tuesday morning.

The Jungle is the greenbelt area that borders I-5 and I-90 south of downtown Seattle.

It’s loaded with trash and drug paraphernalia, is a hotspot for crime, and fires often force crews to shut down traffic on nearby Interstate 5.

In January, two people were killed and three others were injured after a shooting in the homeless camp.

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and Governor Jay Inslee said they are initiating next steps to improve public safety and public health in the area, focusing on a “person-centered approach” to shift people into more stable housing.

The city and state will take steps to:

• Transition people living in unsanctioned encampments under the freeway with meaningful offers of shelter and services
• Clean up major health hazards, including human waste and garbage, and remove overgrown brush and other fire hazards
• Improve access to the area for first responders and maintenance workers; and
• Engage a design consultant to make recommendations for deterring entry in dangerous locations and provide positive activation of other public areas.

Outreach teams from Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission will work for several weeks with Jungle occupants and offer shelter and services including:

• Case management
• Addiction treatment
• Housing assistance
• Food assistance
• Medical services

The mission will not be accepting funds from the city or state for outreach, but those contacted will have access to publicly funded shelter space, motel vouchers and travel assistance.

After everyone is cleared out from the camp, the greenbelt will be cleaned up and brush and fire hazards under the freeway will be removed by the departments of Transportation and Corrections. Seattle Parks and Recreation will remove overgrown vegetation and debris from the hillside above the freeway.

Washington State’s 2016 Supplemental Transportation Budget allocated $1 million which will be used in all steps of the plan. Funding for outreach and services, as well as removing overgrown brush from the greenbelt, will be absorbed within existing City funding in 2016.

The city will hire a consultant to recommend options to manage access to the area, to allow maintenance crews and law enforcement to better serve the area, but not create an impenetrable barrier or fence.

The consultant will also recommend potential long-term strategies in areas where the space under the freeway allows for alternate uses. The state, county and city will review the final report and agree on a plan.

Seattle will spend nearly $50 million this year providing outreach, services and shelter for those experiencing homelessness, including $7 million approved following the mayor’s declaration of a State of Emergency.

Cox Media Group