Seattle considers dorm-style tents for homeless

SEATTLE (AP) – The city of Seattle, in a bid to address its growing homelessness crisis, is considering dormitory-style tents that could house 150 people each.

KIRO-TV reports that the Seattle City Council is seeking a cost-efficient way to build hundreds of bed spots and recently debated creating the tent housing now used in California.

Fred Podesta, who leads the city’s Navigation team dedicated to helping people find housing, warned against adopting the plan too quickly, urging the city to first ensure people living on the streets will embrace the design and its lack of privacy.

But Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, who recently toured a similar site in Los Angeles, said there can be large barriers between each bed, double beds for couples and space for pets, showers, lockers and case managers.

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Information from: The Seattle Times, http://www.seattletimes.com