The city of Redmond has offered some services to the growing number of homeless residents in the city, but councilors indicated April 12 they were ready to look for additional solutions.

Homelessness has become a more serious problem in the growing city over the last few years, as housing prices have skyrocketed and rent has increased along with inflation. Numerous people are now living on public lands on the edge of town, east of Antler Ave., with limited services. Camps have also popped up on 17th and Greenwood streets in east Redmond, near the Redmond Athletic Club, and sporadically on some downtown sidewalks.

At the council’s meeting on Tuesday, April 12, city attorney Keith Leitz presented an update on legal cases that could help guide council decisions. Most current case law argues that cities cannot criminalize homelessness, or sleeping in public right of way, without offering a shelter or other place where people can go. For now, there are few low-barrier, overnight shelters in Redmond — and only in winter and when there are enough volunteers to staff them.

On Tuesday night, numerous people spoke in favor of offering more homeless services, including Steve Curley of Redmond Economic Development Inc. (REDI). Curley asked for council to come up with a “temporary solution” where people could park their RVs and vehicles off city streets until more stable, long-term services can be established.

He said the current situation is “posing an increasing safety issue and impacting current and future economic development opportunities in Redmond.” Curley also noted there is also an opportunity for the city: If those currently struggling can find stable housing, they could help fill a number of open jobs in the area.

A number of nongovernmental organizations are working to provide homelessness services in the area. Expansions of Jericho Road, Shepherd’s House Ministries and Bethlehem Inn, as well as a safe parking program, are expected in upcoming years. Oasis Village, a designated campground and shelter where people can stay with their belongings and their vehicles, will not open until 2023 at the earliest.

According to deputy city manager John Roberts, the city of Redmond has put a $50,000 grant toward funding the safe parking program and provided $30,000 to help Shepherd’s House operate its winter shelter.

Other actions taken by council:

• Approved a contact not to exceed $13 million to RS&H, a national architecture and engineering company, to design and plan a multi-phase expansion of the Redmond Municipal Airport terminal. The design work would begin immediately and construction could start in 2024.
• Indicated council would reconsider the planning commission’s April 11 decision to approve an 89-unit complex of cottages, slated to be built in southwest Redmond off Helmholtz Way.
• The Redmond Urban Area Planning Commission approved the project on a 4-2 vote on April 11, despite more than a dozen neighbors who spoke against it. Area residents argued the development was too dense for the surrounding neighborhoods and infrastructure.
• The planning commission, chaired by Teri Jansen, said the development met city code requirements and say there was “an extreme need” in the city for all kinds of housing. On Tuesday night, councilor Ed Fitch said city council should reconsider the planning commission decision and Mayor George Endicott said they would do so.
• Approved a contract to design the city’s third roundabout, this one planned for the intersection of SW Airport Way and 19th Street. The $610,00 contract was awarded to Murraysmith. Construction of the full-size roundabout is planned for 2023 or 2024.
• Proclaimed April 14, 2022 “Rotary Club of Redmond Day.” The Redmond Rotary Club is celebrating its 70th anniversary in the city.

The city met in executive session to negotiate a land swap for a future development.