Homelessness in Seattle is nothing new and the often visible encampments and RV's on roadsides get a lot of public attention largely because so many of them are out in the open.
But less well known, perhaps because in the ebb and flow of human movement they blend in, are homeless people at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
The Port of Seattle says it's trying to direct these people into temporary shelter but there are few places in the area for people to go. There are in fact no cold weather shelters in the city of SeaTac. The closest is in Des Moines, some 3.5 miles away.
Last year the Port launched a program called SEA Cares meant to address the increasing number of homeless people and those experiencing a mental health crisis at the airport. They began the program with a single officer on point. Officer Michelle Bregel was in social services prior to joining the Port Police.
SEA Spokesperson Perry Cooper said, "it is a multi-year program and has been successful for us as we increase our ability to connect with area service agencies. Like everyone in the region and around the country homelessness has been a challenge. The airport is not immune to the challenge. The Port stood up and put the SEA Cares program together to work with our communities and find ways to better serve those who may need services that are available. We hired a second Crisis Specialist who is connected to our local service programs. 100% of the people we approach with the Cares team receive referrals to services that fit their needs.
The Port urges people who feel unsafe or see someone in crisis to call or text 911 or for non-emergencies to call 206-787-5401.
The Port is urging aiport employees to make things safer by directly reporting custodial, security, and maintenance concerns. Text-a-tip to 206-785-1876 or download the See Say Airport App to send photos, videos, and a message to airport operations
If you are a person in crisis, they recommend a call to Crisis Connections at 866-427-4747 for 24/hour support.
Bregel's job is to help those she encounters who are are homeless to connect to family, point them to resources on finding shelters, help them connect with behavioral health providers, or get them help at local hospitals.
There's no official count of the homeless because the Port says it does not, “have the ability to keep accurate statistics on the number of people experiencing homelessness.”
More people are being sought for the program and more training is on the agency's agenda. The Port Police, like other law enforcement agencies is understafffed.
"We are down 25 right now. We can have up to 130," said Cooper.
The Port Police do have options when it comes to dealing with people who are either in crisis or who pose a danger to others at SEA without using lethal weapons.
"For less lethal options we have verbal de-escalation, Crisit communications, tools such as taser, 40 mm less lethar, baton, OC spray (Oleoresin Capsicum Spray, also known as pepper spray), defensive tactics (control tactics), ballistic shields. We look for additional tools yearly and evaluate them to see if they meet our needs," Cooper explained.
But as other jurisdictions and agencies have found, many people who are homeless or living with an addiction or dealing with a mental issue refuse help.
City of SeaTac has a different approach
According to City of SeaTac Councilmember Peter Kwon the city "spends more per capita on direct human services than any other city." which accounts he says for why there are no encampments or RV's parked on SeaTac streets. "We provide a bed for them," he explained.
In cold (or hot) weather once the thermometer dips (or rises) to unhealthy levels The SeaTac Community Center at 137th and 24th Avenue South becomes a weather shelter. Kwon also pointed out that the city goes to great lengths to prevent residents from becoming homeless in the first place by offering a range of services. A Minor Home Repair program for example exists for income eligible homeowners. The program is funded through federal Community Development Block Grant funds.
They also provide funding for everything from Shelters, Housing and Rental Assistance, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault to Job Training and Education Service, Legal Assistance, Counseling and Mental Health, Medical, Dental and Healthcare, Food Assistance, Child Care, and more.
See the City of SeaTac Human Resources Guide here.
Councilmember Kwon points out that once Sound Transit had an airport station, the homeless count went up. "I'd say that the large majority of people we refer to shelter services are not from SeaTac."
Transportation network companies will get some help soon
Ride share and taxi drivers at the airport are also getting more attention and support. The Port in early February issued a memorandum to award a construction project whose total cost is estimated at more than $7.3 million to improve the vehicle staging holding lot. It would install permanent lighting systems (the current ones are diesel powered), ten new EV charging stations, and four permanent restroom facilities for drivers.
The charging stations are partially funded by a $1.2 million grant from the Department of Commerce.
There are still anecdotal reports of homeless using out the way areas to urinate or defecate but the Port insists that they work hard to both prevent that and address it quickly if it does happen. This was a problem with ride share drivers in San Francisco in 2018 which led to a crackdown. But the Port has temporary porta potties near the current staging lot for drivers.
Cooper said that Airport Director Lance Lyttle "Is very focused on cleanliness and "walks the terminal every morning with a glove to pick up any small pieces of torn bag tags, tickets, wrappers, etc. he sees and connect with the various janitorial services we have.
"Several years ago he worked to divide up the janitorial contracts for multiple contractors to do specific spaces rather than just one for the entire airport and that’s proven successful not only from a maintenance standpoint but also involving small and minority businesses. We’ve also instituted a quick way for staff and even the public to alert appropriate staff to situations they may see to be addressed. It’s an app called See Say Airport that allows us to take pictures of issues and it gets directed to the correct group to address. I’ve used it many times. When there’s a spill in the terminal, some left items or overflowing trash cans, stopped escalators, etc. Do we have those things, sure, we’re a very large facility and can’t have janitors at every location where someone might leave something or make a spill. It’s going to happen. The goal is to get to it as soon as possible. The more eyes we have reporting, the faster and more efficiently we can address it."
