New legislation outlining services and parking rules for people living in vehicles is moving toward a City Council vote.
The City Council’s Public Safety Committee will hold a briefing on Councilmember Dan Strauss’ Vehicle Resident Assistance Program on Tuesday, Sept. 15. Councilmembers are expected to discuss possible amendments before the committee votes on the legislation Tuesday, Sept. 22.
A final vote by the full City Council is expected in October, though a date has not yet been announced.
Strauss introduced the six-part legislative package in August. The proposal would:
- Direct $5 million in existing city funding toward safe lots, vehicle storage, outreach and pathways to housing.
- Create a “shelter storage” program for people who need a place to keep their vehicles while entering shelter or housing.
- Give the city’s Finance and Administrative Services director more authority to lease sites for safe lots, vehicle storage, and other services.
- Establish a permit allowing qualifying people to continue living in motorhomes or travel trailers on city streets while awaiting shelter or housing.
- Limit motorhomes and travel trailers without permits to two hours of street parking at a time.
- Clarify Seattle’s existing junk vehicle law and provide additional guidance for parking enforcement.
- Adopt a resolution describing how the different parts of the package would work together.
“This legislation is about ensuring people who live in vehicles are not forgotten — but that they’re cared for and have a clear road to housing,” Strauss wrote in his newsletter.
Both upcoming Public Safety Committee meetings will include public comment periods.
People who want to comment in person can register using the sign-up sheet inside Council Chambers at Seattle City Hall. Registration opens 15 minutes before the meeting.
People participating remotely can use the council’s remote public comment sign-up form, which opens one hour before each meeting. Written comments can also be sent to all nine councilmembers at council@seattle.gov.
Additional instructions are available on the City Council’s public comment webpage.
Photo: Google Image Capture