Live Telephone Survey OPINION RESEARCH City of Seattle Methodology  Live telephone survey of Likely November 2017 voters in the City of Seattle, including landlines and cell phones  Conducted September 6th – 13th, 2016  600 Total Interviews; Weighted Margin of Error ±4.8 percentage points – 500 interviews stratified equally across City Council Districts, with 25 n oversamples each in CCDs 1, 2, 4, & 5 District CCD 1 CCD 2 CCD 3 CCD 4 CCD 5 CCD 6 CCD 7 –  Interviews 95 95 74 97 93 76 70 Margin of Error ±10.1 points ±10.1 points ±11.4 points ±10.0 points ±10.2 points ±11.2 points ±11.7 points Weighted to reflect overall city-wide registered voter population using key demographics Interviews were conducted by trained, professional interviewers Please note that due to rounding, some percentages may not add up to exactly 100%. 16-6097 Seattle Homelessness Poll 2 Most Important Problem Facing Seattle A quarter of voters cite Homelessness as the top problem facing Seattle. Additionally, more than one-in-ten mentioned affordable housing. 24% Homelessness 22% Public transportation/Traffic 13% Affordable housing 7% Growth/development Education related issues 4% Housing (general) 4% Replacing incumbent Mayor/City Council 3% Cost of living 2% Taxes 2% Overpopulation/population growth 2% Income inequality 2% 11% Other Don't know None/nothing 3% 1% Q4. What do you think is the most important problem facing Seattle today? (Preliminary coding) 16-6097 Seattle Homelessness Poll 3 Homelessness in Seattle – Top Associations % Serious issue/a lot of homeless/needs to be fixed 33% Lack of affordable housing/housing for the homeless 15% Not enough is being done to fix it 14% Lack of public assistance programs/services 9% Mental health issues/lack of mental health services 9% Tent cities/encampments/the Jungle 8% Problem is worsening/becoming more prevalent 7% Tragic/shocking/horrible/hopelessness 7% Drugs/alcohol abuse 5% Issues with sanitation/health (garbage, lack of bathrooms, etc.) 4% Homeless shelters/shelters needed 4% More funding is needed/funds are spent inappropriately 4% Q5. What one or two things first come to your mind when thinking about homelessness in Seattle? (Up to two responses accepted) (Preliminary coding) 16-6097 Seattle Homelessness Poll 4 Seriousness of Homelessness Nine-in ten Seattle voters consider homelessness at least a somewhat serious problem, including a quarter rating it as “extremely serious” (10/10 rating). Total Problem: 92% 42% 27% 23% 8% 5/DK 5% 1-4 3% Extremely Serious Problem (10) 8-9 6-7 Q6. In your opinion, how serious a problem is homelessness in Seattle right now? Use a scale from one to ten where one is not a problem at all and ten is an extremely serious problem. Not a problem 16-6097 Seattle Homelessness Poll 5 Views on Progress for Reducing Homelessness There is a divided view on how optimistic or pessimistic voters are on whether Seattle can make meaningful progress on reducing homelessness. There is more intensity on the pessimistic side. 41% 37% 22% 3-4 24% 6-8 33% 1-2 17% 9-10 4% 6-10 Optimistic 5/DK Q7. How optimistic or pessimistic are you that Seattle can make meaningful progress on reducing homelessness? Use a scale from one to ten where one is extremely pessimistic and ten is extremely optimistic. 1-4 Pessimistic 16-6097 Seattle Homelessness Poll 6 How Much More They Could be Doing to Reduce Homelessness A majority of voters think all governmental levels should be doing more to reduce homelessness, but they also think large businesses like Amazon and Microsoft should be as well. A lot more A little more Don't know Already doing enough Total more 16% 12% 10% 78% Large businesses like Amazon and Microsoft 63% Seattle City government 62% The Seattle City Council 61% 21% 10% 8% 83% State and County governments 61% 24% 9% 6% 85% 6% 8% 86% 23% The Federal government 53% 26% 11% 11% 79% Mayor Ed Murray 52% 27% 9% 12% 79% United Way and other philanthropic organizations Non-profit organizations and homeless service providers 22% 17% 32% 30% 18% 10% 28% 43% 54% 47% Q8-15. For each of the following, please tell me whether you think that organization or person could be doing a lot more, a little more, or is already doing enough to help reduce homelessness in Seattle. 16-6097 Seattle Homelessness Poll 7 Public Perception of Homelessness Causes Strongly agree Somewhat agree Seattle will not make real progress on reducing homelessness until we address rapidly rising housing costs and income inequality. 54% We will never completely end homelessness because there will always be people who choose to live that way. Most homeless people got that way because of things that are beyond their control. We have so many homeless people because Seattle is a very welcoming city for them… Homeless people are primarily responsible for their own situation. Don't know/ Neither 14% 6% Somewhat disagree 21% Strongly disagree Total agree 6% 8% 11% 75% 35% 37% 5% 11% 13% 71% 32% 40% 11% 11% 5% 72% 14% 16% 8% 12% 22% 30% 42% 36% 28% 22% Q16-25. I’m going to read you a series of statements about homelessness. For each one, please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with that statement 16-6097 Seattle Homelessness Poll 8 Public Perception of Homelessness (Cont’d) Strongly agree Somewhat agree The City should not be evicting homeless people from encampments when there aren’t enough available alternatives. We need to spend a lot more money in order to reduce homelessness in Seattle. 36% 27% Illegal encampments act as a cover for activity like drug dealing, theft, and prostitution. Cleaning up illegal encampments will improve public safety… 25% 16% Somewhat disagree 27% 30% … Now we need to focus on moving people into these shelters and stopping people from sleeping in illegal encampments where it’s dangerous and inhumane. Homeless people may not have homes but they still have the right to live outside if they choose. The City needs to stop harassing them. Don't know/ Neither 12% 33% 30% 27% 16% 14% 13% 10% 13% 16% 27% Strongly disagree 25% Total agree 12% 63% 14% 64% 15% 13% 56% 22% 10% 52% 18% 43% Q16-25. I’m going to read you a series of statements about homelessness. For each one, please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with that statement 16-6097 Seattle Homelessness Poll 9 Public Perception of Homelessness by Age Older voters are more likely to be on the side of cleaning up encampments. % Agree 47% … Now we need to focus on moving people into these shelters and stopping people from sleeping in illegal encampments where it’s dangerous and inhumane. 58% 70% <50 50-64 65+ Illegal encampments act as a cover for activity like drug dealing, theft, and prostitution. Cleaning up illegal encampments will improve public safety… 39% 58% 70% Q16-25. I’m going to read you a series of statements about homelessness. For each one, please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with that statement 16-6097 Seattle Homelessness Poll 10 Potential Approaches to Homelessness None of these proposals had actual tax levels associated with them. The one that has the least support is also the only one that pits taking money from another priority to fund something to help the homeless. Strongly support Somewhat support Creating safe drug injection sites so people who use drugs can do so safely and we can reduce overdoses, cut the number of needles in the streets, and make treatment options available to them. 47% Increasing the availability of mental health treatment and case worker assistance for homeless people funded by raising sales or property taxes. 45% Using community centers during the hours they would usually be closed as temporary night shelters for homeless people. Expanding the availability of city-sanctioned tent encampments and safe vehicle parking sites even if that means raising taxes or cutting other services like police, parks, and libraries. 31% 29% 41% Increasing the availability of drug and alcohol treatment programs for homeless people funded by raising sales or property taxes 25% 78% 74% 41% 37% 10% Total support 33% 81% 70% 35% Q26-31. For each of the following approaches to reduce homelessness in Seattle, please tell me if you would strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose spending more tax dollars on that approach. 16-6097 Seattle Homelessness Poll 11 Potential Approaches to Homelessness by Age Younger voters are more enthusiastic supporters of safe injection sites and increasing the availability of mental health, drug, and alcohol treatment. % Strongly support Creating safe drug injection sites so people who use drugs can do so safely and we can reduce overdoses, cut the number of needles in the streets, and make treatment options available to them. 55% 40% 57% Increasing the availability of mental health treatment and case worker assistance for homeless people funded by raising sales or property taxes. 35% 43% Using community centers during the hours they would usually be closed as temporary night shelters for homeless people. 39% 50+ 47% Increasing the availability of drug and alcohol treatment programs for homeless people funded by raising sales or property taxes Expanding the availability of city-sanctioned tent encampments and safe vehicle parking sites even if that means raising taxes or cutting other services like police, parks, and libraries. <50 28% 12% 8% Q26-31. For each of the following approaches to reduce homelessness in Seattle, please tell me if you would strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose spending more tax dollars on that approach. 16-6097 Seattle Homelessness Poll 12 Forced Choice: Dealing with Homeless Encampments The majority preference for B suggests that voters are onboard with directing the homeless to alternative shelters rather than letting them live wherever they choose, or the “no tolerance” approach. STATEMENT A: We need to accept that homeless people are going to live in places like parks, greenbelts, and under bridges or freeways because there are no alternatives right now. It is not right to displace them and force them to live in shelters and accept services against their will. Instead we should let them stay and provide garbage and bathroom services. Statement B 55% OR STATEMENT B: We need to discourage homeless people from living in areas that pose public health and safety risks, and encourage them to use other alternatives, like long-term housing, temporary shelters, and officially-authorized homeless encampments and safe lots for RVs. OR STATEMENT C: We should not be tolerating unauthorized encampments. We need to close and clean up current encampments and step up enforcement to ensure no new ones are formed, and send the message that we will not tolerate people sleeping wherever they choose because it impacts all of us. Lean 4% Statement A 23% Lean 2% Q32. Given the three statements I just read, which is closest to your opinion? Solid 52% Statement C 19% Lean 1% Solid 22% Solid 18% 16-6097 Seattle Homelessness Poll 13 City Spending on Homelessness A third of voters believe the City is spending too little on homelessness while nearly as many think they’re spending the right amount. Few voters feel the City is spending too much on the issue, but there is also a sizeable contingent (23%) who don’t know. In 2016, the City will spend $50 million on programs to reduce homelessness. These investments fund services, programs, shelter and outreach for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Is the City investing too much, too little, or about the right amount of money to address homelessness? Too little 35% Too much 12% Right amount 31% Don’t know 23% Q33. In 2016, the City will spend $50 million on programs to reduce homelessness. These investments fund services, programs, shelter and outreach for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Is the City investing too much, too little, or about the right amount of money to address homelessness? 16-6097 Seattle Homelessness Poll 14 Forced Choice: Approach to Cleaning Up Encampments A majority favor removing encampments combined with housing alternatives. Just over a third solidly support the “ACLU plan”. APPROACH A: The City would offer encampment residents alternative shelter and services. If they refuse, the encampment is cleaned up and removed. Supporters call this the middle way that balances compassion with a need to ensure unauthorized encampments do not get out of control or develop into threats to public safety and health. OR Approach A 56% Lean 3% APPROACH B: Some people and organizations, including the ACLU, say homeless encampment sweeps are just shuffling people around and are inhumane. They want an approach that significantly restricts the City’s ability to evict people from encampments. In this approach, the City could remove people only after 30 days of outreach and after encampment residents have been offered immediate housing or an alternate location for their camp. If the City violates these new rules, it would be liable to pay every affected person $250 each. Approach B 39% Lean 4% Solid 53% Solid 35% Q34. Regarding Seattle’s homeless encampment policy, please tell me which of the following two approaches you prefer. 16-6097 Seattle Homelessness Poll 15 Approach to Cleaning Up Encampments by Age APPROACH A: The City would offer encampment residents alternative shelter and services. If they refuse, the encampment is cleaned up and removed. Supporters call this the middle way that balances compassion with a need to ensure unauthorized encampments do not get out of A Approach control or develop into threats to public safety and health. 50% 60% <50 OR APPROACH B: Some people and organizations, including the ACLU, say homeless encampment sweeps are just shuffling people around and are inhumane. They want an approach that significantly restricts the City’s ability to evict people from encampments. In this approach, the Approach City could remove people only after 30 days ofB outreach and after encampment residents have been offered immediate housing or an alternate location for their camp. If the City violates these new rules, it would be liable to pay every affected person $250 each. 50+ 46% 33% Q34. Regarding Seattle’s homeless encampment policy, please tell me which of the following two approaches you prefer. 16-6097 Seattle Homelessness Poll 16 Forced Choice: Tying Non-Profit Funding to Results A majority of voters oppose an outcomes-based funding system for organizations that serve the homeless. STATEMENT A: Part of the reason homelessness has gotten so bad is because Seattle does not use its limited funding for homelessness as effectively as it should. Seattle should adopt a system that ties funding to measurable results; organizations that show they’re improving outcomes for homeless people would receive more funding. Those that can’t would have their funding cut. OR STATEMENT B: Organizations that serve the homeless are doing good work under difficult circumstances and with limited resources. While tying funding to results might be well-meaning, the work of many non-profits cannot be measured because they are working on problems that vary by individual. This might make our system worse by defunding organizations that are doing a lot of good. Q35. Which of the following is closer to your opinion? Statement A 40% Statement B 55% Lean 4% Lean 2% Solid 38% Solid 51% 16-6097 Seattle Homelessness Poll 17 Approach to Cleaning Up Encampments by Age STATEMENT A: Part of the reason homelessness has gotten so bad is because Seattle does not use its limited funding for homelessness as effectively as it should. Seattle should adopt a system that ties funding to measurable results;Approach organizations A that show they’re improving outcomes for homeless people would receive more funding. Those that can’t would have their funding cut. 37% 43% <50 50+ OR STATEMENT B: Organizations that serve the homeless are doing good work under difficult circumstances and with limited resources. While tying funding to results might be well-meaning, Approach B the work of many non-profits cannot be measured because they are working on problems that vary by individual. This might make our system worse by defunding organizations that are doing a lot of good. Q35. Which of the following is closer to your opinion? 61% 51% 16-6097 Seattle Homelessness Poll 18 Further Investment for the Homeless Voters are divided on whether or not to double spending for sheltering the homeless when pitted against taking those funds from other services. Enthusiasm is stronger on the “no” side, with a quarter strongly opposed. The City spends about $50 million per year on services, programs, shelter and outreach for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The City would need to double its spending with another 50 million per year to make shelter available for every homeless person in Seattle. This money would be taken from the general fund, which means less funding for police, community centers and other public services. Would you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose the City investing an additional $50 million to shelter the homeless? Support 48% Somewhat 33% Strongly 15% Oppose 45% Somewhat 20% Don't know 7% Strongly 25% Q36. Would you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose the City investing an additional fifty million dollars to shelter the homeless? 16-6097 Seattle Homelessness Poll 19 Contacts Ian Stewart ian@emcresearch.com 206.204.8032 Brian Vines brian@emcresearch.com 206.204.8034 Andrew Thibault andrew@emcresearch.com 206.204.8031 16-6097 Seattle Homelessness Poll 20