SEATTLE — The Seattle City Council sustained Mayor Katie Wilson’s veto of a proposed RV parking permit program.
The council needed six votes to overturn it.
The proposed legislation aimed to limit overnight street parking while creating a system to connect people living in vehicles with city housing resources.
Under the proposal, RV residents who obtained a permit would have been required to move their vehicles every 72 hours, while individuals without permits faced stricter parking restrictions.
The measure was designed to address neighborhood safety concerns while providing social services.
Mayor Wilson vetoed the bill earlier this month, citing legal complications surrounding vehicle towing, a burdensome permit process, and the risk of forcing more people into homelessness.
Mayor Wilson stated that her decision came after assessing the operational challenges of the proposed system.
“I was not originally intending to veto this legislation and through sitting with it, learning more about the details and the challenges that I felt compelled and believed that it was in best interest of the city to put forward an alternative pathway for consideration,” Wilson said.
Councilmember Dan Strauss, who represents District six and sponsored the measure, criticized the veto and argued that the city cannot afford to wait for a solution.
“I feel like her word has been disingenuous,” Strauss said. “There have been a number of times that she has broken the promises that she’s made to me and the commitments she’s made to me. And that’s why I say I can’t trust her word anymore,” he said.
The outcome of the council’s vote directly affects residents like Aaron Biresall, who has lived in an RV in Ballard for nearly a decade. Although Biresall works every day, high housing costs in Seattle and living with a wife who has a disability make making ends meet a constant struggle.
“I’ve been at my company for about 8 years, but the rent here in Seattle is so expensive,” Biresall said. “That’s why I live on the street.”
Biresall noted that he hopes to transition out of vehicle living.
“I’d actually like to get off the street,” Biresall said. “And get into housing.”
He explained that he wants less pressure to constantly move his vehicle to lessen the load on his family. Biresall expressed hope for more safe lot options and called on city leaders to address housing costs.
“I would like the mayor to come down on the rent,” Biresall said. “And try to get more people off the street and into housing that can be affordable.”
Mayor Wilson has issued an executive order focused on expanding outreach services and establishing safe parking options for people living in vehicles.
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