benmaritz.bsky.social
@benmaritz.bsky.social
Looking more and more likely we get the model code on July 1
February 16, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Yeah I wonder what our native community in seattle feels about the need to preserve single family housing in Madison valley
February 16, 2025 at 4:17 AM
And no, honestly I haven’t been following his specific actions on transit. I have been following his actions on homelessness quite closely and I do believe he’s the only regional leader who has really gotten any positive results at all.
February 16, 2025 at 3:55 AM
I also want the most effective leader we can get, but don’t see any particular issue with a board member becoming CEO if such person is that leader.
February 16, 2025 at 3:54 AM
What does it mean to be well qualified? This is a political job, and a leadership role for a large organization. Project and planning expertise can easily be brought in at lower levels.
February 16, 2025 at 3:52 AM
The alternative is sadly not going to be someone who believes in a transit-based revolution like you and I. It’s some other experienced “transit leader” from some other US agency who knows all the reasons why things can’t change.
February 16, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Also I think it’s commendable that even after three terms he wants to extend his service to the region.
February 16, 2025 at 3:32 AM
He would be great. He’s an effective leader who is pro transit with a track record of breaking through barriers such as what he did with the Health Through Housing shelter program. This was the only meaningful expansion of shelters in a decade in our county.
February 16, 2025 at 3:31 AM
This article doesn’t actually say how the democrats should respond to trumps war on DEI
February 16, 2025 at 3:30 AM
It would be too good. We can’t.
January 26, 2025 at 5:30 AM
I also don’t love my local grocery, the QFC on Capitol Hill. For similar reasons. I go there where I need to but order most things delivery now which I find saves time and money. It’s a shame as i always liked shopping.
January 26, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Why do you suppose Safeway is banning backpacks? What kind of public policy changes might we make that would enable retailers to need to take less anti-shoplifting actions? Surely retailers would want to make their stores as accessible to as many shoppers as possible.
January 25, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Additionally, there is no large-scale medicated treatment option available. It seems that meaningful progress on homelessness won't be achievable until this issue is adequately addressed.
December 15, 2024 at 5:28 PM
4) Finally, drugs have become a critical factor, exacerbating all the issues mentioned above. drugs and alcohol have always been a factor, fentanyl presents a unique challenge. It's harder to quit and cheaper to sustain long-term, making it impossible to transition someone into a job or housing.
December 15, 2024 at 5:28 PM
These factors combine to lengthen shelter stays, effectively reducing their reach.
December 15, 2024 at 5:28 PM
b) Many housing providers view formerly homeless individuals as potentially problematic tenants, and with the ongoing de facto eviction ban, they are reluctant to take risks.
December 15, 2024 at 5:28 PM
a) There's a prevailing mindset among service providers and potential residents that permanently subsidized housing is a right, leading people to remain in shelters until it's available.
December 15, 2024 at 5:28 PM
3) Nowadays, exits from shelters are almost exclusively to subsidized housing rather than standard "cheap" housing. My company has apts under $800, affordable to anyone earning min wage. This shift is due to the huge increase in subsidized housing in our region, but it also highlights two issues:
December 15, 2024 at 5:28 PM
(Although, it's important to note that not all providers follow this pattern, particularly those who take medical referrals like DESC or actively seek out challenging cases like PDA.)
December 15, 2024 at 5:28 PM
2) Many service providers tend to focus on helping the "housing unstable" rather than street homeless. This is understandable since this group is easier to locate and serve, and outcomes are generally more favorable.
December 15, 2024 at 5:28 PM
1) Key point: Despite the improvements made to our shelters, there hasn't been an expansion in their numbers. This, in turn, has not kept pace with the growth in homelessness and has led to a rise in street homelessness.
December 15, 2024 at 5:28 PM