Advocates Propose Shifting Seattle’s Homeless Strategy Toward Short-Term “Stabilization Camps”

Seattle is once again evaluating the use of sanctioned homeless encampments, but local advocates are pushing for a fundamental shift in how these sites operate.

Andrea Suarez, the founder of the outreach organization We Heart Seattle, is advocating for the creation of “stabilization camps.” Unlike traditional, long-term managed camps, these proposed locations would function as 30-day, clinically driven triage sites.

The primary goal of the stabilization model is to provide immediate, short-term intervention. Instead of serving as semi-permanent housing, the camps would focus heavily on conducting swift assessments to directly connect individuals with detoxification services, psychiatric care, and long-term transitional housing. Proponents argue that this structured, medically supported approach is necessary to break the cycle of chronic homelessness and address the root causes of the crisis more effectively than previous initiatives.