Burien faces new challange to homelessness policy, this time on religious grounds

There’s a new wrinkle in the debate over homelessness policy in the city of Burien. 

Last September, Burien passed a controversial ordinance banning camping in much of the city, Meanwhile, a local church decided to step in and offer its property as a temporary encampment for the homeless. Burien requested that the church, the Oasis Home Church, get a “temporary use permit” for the encampment.  

They declined to do that and are now bringing another lawsuit against the city, arguing that Burien was infringing on their religious freedom to provide a place for homeless residents to stay. 

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Guests:

Anna Patrick, reporter on the Seattle Times’ Project Homelessness team

Relevant Links:

Seattle Times: Burien faces another homelessness lawsuit, this one about religion

Seattle Times: SCOTUS homelessness decisions’ impacts in Washington could be unique

Seattle Times: Burien poised to kill King County-funded shelter project

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