Like any other problem, solving it has to start with defining it. As we define it, solutions become more clear. Myths like service resistance obscure the solutions and we continue to spin our wheels.
Just like bad data leads to bad policy, good data can produce results.
Follow
Click to Follow LewisforSeattle
Andrew J. Lewis
@LewisforSeattle
Seattle City Councilmember, District 7
Andrew J. Lewis’s Tweets
This piece from last year by Real Change is a great summary of how clarifying asking those questions can be.
If the goal is to get people off the streets, as people what will help get them off the street. Duh.
1
5
Show this thread
When the Harrell admin came in they asked me what Durkan-era mistakes they could work to correct.
One of the biggest things I emphasized was ASKING people who decline services WHY they are declining.
Sounds super obvious… but, it’s not something we have systemically done.
1
5
Show this thread
One of the biggest barriers to making demonstrable progress on homelessness has been bad data that backs up bad takes.
This leads to service resistance myths to justify a primarily enforcement-based approach to homelessness.
1
3
Show this thread
Talking a little more about service resistance myths deserves its own thread 🧵
Quote Tweet
We also know resources remain a far larger problem that service resistance.
140 people have been recommended for a service offer, including 59 recommendations for shelter. We have only been able to actually make 6 shelter offers…
Show this thread
3
1
2
Show this thread
A few hundred additional enhanced shelter resources would have a huge impact on the disorder challenges we face on 3rd Ave.
As we now know, such an investment would have a regional impact since 20% of the people associated with 3rd Ave live unshelled elsewhere.
2
1
9
Show this thread
We also know resources remain a far larger problem that service resistance.
140 people have been recommended for a service offer, including 59 recommendations for shelter. We have only been able to actually make 6 shelter offers…
3
5
11
Show this thread
463 people hang out on 3rd Ave on a regular basis.
92% of the people associated with 3rd are experiencing homelessness.
About half are actively engaged in the illicit economy.
20% come to 3rd during the day but live elsewhere.
10% have a severe behavioral health condition.
4
1
7
Show this thread
Before you can solve a problem you need to define it.
Despite all the rightful concern over 3rd Ave, nobody had ever done the work of building a census of who is there and why. Until now 🧵
9
4
20
Show this thread
Great story from Greg Kim about our initiative on 3rd Ave. Grateful to for his leadership in working with me to bring together We Deliver Care, , and the SPD West Precinct to confront these multi-faceted challenges.
2
9
Always inspiring to see the We Deliver Care team our bright and early on 3rd Ave!
3
8
Again, thank you for working with my office to incorporate this critical policy into HB 1110!
Quote Tweet
A hidden nugget in HB 1110:
It would categorically exempt from SEPA actions taken by local governments to reduce their parking mandates.
Currently, SEPA can obstruct parking reform because it triggers a SEPA review and can be appealed under SEPA rules.
Show this thread
2
2
39
Thank you for breaking ground on the sidewalk extension at 1st/Bell! This new community space should be done in time for summer programming.
Big thanks to and all the community members who helped move this forward.
3
1
16
As Whatcom County shows, investing in crisis stabilization can have a huge impact on community wellness and reduce our reliance on jail.
Next month, we have a chance to scale crisis care services with Prop. 1! Let’s get it over the finish line!
2
6
Starting the day with a great Pioneer Square staple! Downtown has great coffee around every corner.
7
1
27
If HB 1110 passes, with its SEPA exemption for repealing parking mandates, we’ll be one step closer to removing those mandates in Seattle.
Here’s to a future where we don’t force the creation of parking the market has demonstrated no demand for.
Quote Tweet
“In the years after parking became flexible in #Buffalo & #Seattle, studies found that buildings that were previously illegal produced more than half of all new homes”
Removing minimum parking laws is a cheap & effective way to alleviate housing shortages sightline.org/2023/02/02/wit
Show this thread
5
4
55
Quote Tweet
Cyclists now outnumber motorists in the City of London! 
forbes.com/sites/carltonr
forbes.com/sites/carltonr2
2
Very grateful for partnership from to get this program off the ground! WDC is the real deal.
Quote Tweet
Our plan for a welcoming downtown centers on a safe downtown. The Third Avenue Project is a new coalition deploying trusted community ambassadors to build authentic relationships with those in need and proactively create a more positive atmosphere for all. crosscut.com/news/2023/02/s
6
10
WDC and @DefenderOrg are doing great work on 3rd Ave!
Securing this partnership, first as JustCARE and now as 3rd Ave Project, has been most important work I have done in the last three years.
Through engagement we can make progress on these issues.
4
1
!!!!! Let’s gooooo!
Quote Tweet
HB 1110 just passed out of Appropriations with all Dems voting yes, plus 5 Rs!!! The bill now goes to Rules, & then the House floor. Thank you to the relentless support from our pro-housing coalition including my colleague @AKB1968. 
Show this thread
GIF
read image description
ALT
3
1
22
Many thanks to my friend for working with my office to add a SEPA exemption for repealing parking mandates to the substitute missing middle housing bill!
Let’s get HB 1110 through!
8
4
71
Another great contribution we should be recognizing and celebrating!
Quote Tweet
Replying to @LewisforSeattle and @jontalton
Congratulations! Thank you for bringing business back to downtown. We just opened Iris PORTRAITS downtown, in the Market because we believe in Seattle and love downtown. Business has been great. We thank everyone visiting and shopping downtown Seattle.
2
5
Probably off by a point or so. But, glad to be wrong and have it be 58% when all is counted!
Quote Tweet
I’m predicting 57-43 when it’s all said and done. A decisive and well earned win!
Now comes the hard work of implementation! Let’s get it done!
5
17
This! Smaller store fronts and more diversity of use are key components of our strategy to bring Downtown back.
Quote Tweet
Replying to @LewisforSeattle and @jontalton
Monorail Espresso is a perfect example of why downtown needs more smaller retail spaces!
6
31
Hey, , a column pitch re:Downtown coffee.
Local small business Monorail Espresso has opened two NEW locations Downtown during pandemic. Including this one with barista Danae near 4th/Union.
These are the people rebuilding Downtown. Let’s hear their stories!
21
27
308
In 2020, Downtown was defined by sprawling tent encampments and abandonment. Not today!
We are leading the way with collaboration, not division. Way more work to do, but is getting it done! 364 people housed/moving in. Let’s keep the momentum up.
Quote Tweet
Corporate-backed pilot program Partership for Zero moves 150 unhoused people in downtown Seattle into apartments. Another 214 people are in the process of moving inside while over 500 more have taken tangible steps toward housing.
bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2 via @PSBJ
4
14
I’m predicting 57-43 when it’s all said and done. A decisive and well earned win!
Now comes the hard work of implementation! Let’s get it done!
2
6
54
Really proud to be endorsed by !
Working together we can build a green economy and electrify our built environment. IBEW is leading the way and I am proud to stand in solidarity with them!
2
9
Really proud to announce the first of many labor endorsers, 242! Laborers literally build the housing, light rail, and street cars essential to livable, urban, 15-minute communities.
As a 5th generation union member, proud to stand in solidarity! 💪
1
13
Confirmed this week that Alaska Way north of Yesler is City right-of-way, not State. So, future planning CAN make it a more bike/ped centric place.
Note our premier carless department, Seattle Center, will be running the Waterfront campus. There is hope!
4
7
49
I can be very critical of SDOT, but, credit where credit is due, we are getting more protected bike infrastructure online.
When I interned for CM Clark in 2007, my bike ride from Seattle Center to City Hall was terrifying. The 2nd Ave protected bike lane makes a huge difference.
Quote Tweet
The most miles of bike lanes Seattle has built in a single year was 5.82, in 2019. In the next two years, before the current transportation levy expires, SDOT is currently aiming at building 15.25 miles of bike lanes and trails. And up to 18 miles of neighborhood greenways.
Show this thread
5
1
20
It was great to work with Donald on Thursday to kick-off celebrity vending.
If you have a moment, check out Donald’s recent profile, linked below.
And Venmo something our way to close out strong! Real-Change #14740.
1
2
7
More office-to-housing conversion, also known as “adaptive reuse.”
Unico recently completed an interesting project in Tacoma, linked below.
Working with staff to determine policy trade offs. But definitely part of the answer.
unicoprop.com/unico-complete
This Tweet is unavailable.
10
1
27
6
2
40
Show this thread
Legislature likes local control? Let me pass my ordinance without all this process by creating a SEPA exemption for parking mandates.
SEPA shouldn’t be holding back critical climate legislation. We’re forcing the construction of more parking than market demand. Infuriating.
2
3
68
Show this thread
You guessed it, we need a SEPA checklist, a record to defend determination of non-significance, resources to litigate against challenges, and, if we lose, consulting money to complete an EIS and ALL the process that will entail.
And without it, can’t enact an ordinance.
2
3
36
Show this thread