ChangeWA has teamed with filmmaker V Ginny Burton to produce “Behind Closed Doors,” a shocking 30-minute documentary which exposes the unsafe and drug-filled conditions within King County’s low-barrier housing and provides strong evidence that these are not conditions where formerly homeless individuals “can get their lives back,” as King County Executive Dow Constantine has repeatedly promised.

Burton’s interviews with residents and workers from several of King County’s housing projects reveal that most residents continue to use illegal drugs, violence is an everyday occurrence, and staff has no ability to help those who seek addiction or mental health treatment. 

Burton also explores how the “Housing First” policies are a huge drain on government resources by interviewing Seattle CARE Chief Amy Smith and top police department officials.

“Politicians who claim that homeless individuals ‘can get their lives back’ if taxpayers provided them with temporary housing, have obviously never been inside one of King County’s temporary housing buildings,” said ChangeWA Board Chair Rodney Tom. “’Behind Closed Doors’ reveals that while King County Executive Dow Constantine stubbornly refuses to admit the impact of addiction and mental health on the region’s homeless crisis, people are literally dying inside temporary housing because these issues have been left untreated. Even when individuals are begging for treatment, King County’s staff is unprepared to help.”

In the film, Seattle’s CARE Chief Amy Smith revealed that these housing sites are the top locations for police, fire, and medical calls and are a drain on the city’s resources. Due to concentration of drug users and people with untreated mental illness, these housing sites draw violent predators who cruelly prey on these individuals. Recently the 1811 Eastlake supportive housing site had its second murder in nine months.

“An interview subject in the film discusses a recent murder at DESC’s 1811 Eastlake building,” said Ginny Burton. “Now, in the news, we see another murder that took place at 1811. Why are there no requirements for tenancy inside of these buildings? Why are we co-locating dangerous people with extremely vulnerable people? Why are we leaving major decisions up to people who are unqualified to make them? The people inside of these buildings don’t know where to turn and they need our help.”

“’Housing First’ has been a disaster. Homeless numbers continue to increase, and a record number of people are needlessly dying as a result,” said Tom. ‘Other communities, such as Austin (recently copied by Pierce County), are having success focusing on treatment. If Pierce County can implement a cost-effective successful method, why can’t King County? Buying a half-billion in hotels will not solve the problems if those inside have serious untreated issues and criminals are free to prey on their misfortune. This is not compassionate.”

King County Executive Constantine Dow Constantine and then Seattle Mayor Ed Murray declared homelessness an emergency in November 2015. At that time there were 10,047 homeless individuals in King County. Yet despite city, county, regional, state, and federal governments spending billions annually on Housing First programs, that figure has increased 63.1% to 16,385. Sadly, in 2023 the county again broke its annual record with 421 homeless individuals dying on the streets and temporary housing.

—

The film can be found at: Behind Closed Doors

The trailer can be found here: Behind Closed Doors trailer