Homeless Issue Public Comment from Brad KrantzAimee Brunckhorst
From: Brad Krantz <bdkrantz@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2023 1:14 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Homeless Issue
As a former resident of the Seattle area, I lived there for 61 years until
my family and I relocated here to the Flathead Valley in late 2 02 1.
I want to share some perspective on the homeless issue.
Seattle has a current population of (762,500) With an estimated metro
population of 4,102,400 as of 2022.
This makes it the 15th largest metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in
the United States. It includes the largest county, King County.
A Seattle Times article from July of 2022 noted that according to data
from to using a count compiled by Kin County ounty that tracks every
homeless person who uses services like shelter, medical and
behavioral health throughout an entire year, which the Authority says
captures a more holistic count of homelessness in the county.
They arrived at a figure of 40,800.
From my own observations and time living there, I'd say that figure is
accurate!
Note, The city plans to spend more than $100 million each year
through 2024 to address homelessness!
And, it's not working!
1
Throwing more money and resources at this problem will not solve it. I
guarantee you that.
Seattle has struggled with homelessness issues for years, which only
worsened during the pandemic. Seattle and King County ranked as the
third area in the nation with the most homeless people in 2020.
Seattle business owners are fed up with problems stemming from
homeless crisis with more businesses fleeing because of crime and
violence.
In my lifetime Seattle has grown much worse not better in it's
homelessness and crime; because of failed policies.
Thank you.
Brad Krantz
1433 Klondyke Loop
Somers MT 59932
Sent from my iPad
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