In Washington’s Eastside, a debate is heating up over permanent supportive housing for people facing chronic homelessness. Residents in Bellevue are dealing with ongoing safety issues at a Plymouth Housing and PorchLight facility.
Now, a former councilmember is sounding the alarm for nearby Redmond, where a similar project is in the works. Kathy Lambert, a writer, author, and former King County Councilmember, recently posted on Facebook, urging Redmond locals to speak out before it’s too late. She points to Bellevue’s troubles as a warning sign.
Bellevue’s Eastgate Housing Campus opened a couple of years ago with good intentions. It combines PorchLight’s men’s shelter, which helps over 800 people each year with beds, meals, laundry, and case management, and Plymouth Crossing’s 92 apartments for formerly homeless adults. But things haven’t gone smoothly.
The facility has become the top source of 911 calls in the city, involving everything from fights and drug overdoses to thefts and disturbances. Neighbors report seeing open-air drug use, litter, loitering, and even encampments nearby. One tragic incident last July saw a man beaten to death close to the campus.
Another recent case involved a homeless man whose face was severely beaten by a PorchLight resident, with police still hunting for the suspect, Adrian Ojeda.
The Bellevue City Council isn’t ignoring this. Led by Councilmember Jared Nieuwenhuis, they’ve pushed city staff to create a stronger safety plan for residents and businesses.
They want clear ways to track if the changes work. In a January meeting, council members voiced massive concerns and demanded better oversight. City officials have rolled out an action plan, focusing on reducing neighborhood impacts through closer teamwork between PorchLight, Plymouth Housing, and the city.
Still, critics like journalist Jonathan Choe argue the problems persist. He’s documented cases where residents from the campus went on rampages, like one man accused of trashing stores but released without jail time.
Choe also highlighted threats, assaults, and even a sex offender staying at PorchLight with a broken ankle monitor. Some calls are medical emergencies due to residents’ health issues, but many involve crime and chaos that strain police resources.
Kathy Lambert sees Bellevue’s struggles as a preview for Redmond. In her Facebook post, she shared Choe’s reporting and called on people to contact the Redmond City Council at 425-556-2100.
She has three big demands: reject Plymouth Housing in Redmond, question why taxpayer-funded land was given away without clear plans for this use, and ensure police have full tools for downtown oversight.
Lambert criticizes how hearings were handled, saying councils ignored citizens and cut speaking times short. She urges folks to look up those meetings and get shocked by what they find.
In a letter to the editor last July, Lambert went deeper. She called the Redmond project a “ticking time bomb” for housing 100 chronically homeless people downtown.
She says the council rushed the decision after just an hour of talks, skipping key questions on safety, drug policies, and tenant screening.
Lambert points to Plymouth’s track record elsewhere, like a deadly overdose in Seattle’s Belltown and predatory behavior in South Lake Union. In Bellevue, she notes frequent 911 calls for drugs, assaults, and deaths.
She accuses Redmond leaders of misleading the public, avoiding open bids, and blocking input. Parking is another worry, the project skimps on spaces, which could worsen downtown congestion. Lambert calls on State Representative Amy Walen to step in and stop Redmond from turning into Seattle.
Supporters of these facilities argue they’re vital for vulnerable people. High 911 calls can mean better access to help, not just failure.
Plymouth Housing and PorchLight aim to provide stability with services, and cities like Bellevue are committed to that. But for many neighbors, the real-world impacts feel too heavy.
Incidents keep piling up, like a homeless man allegedly raped near Bellevue’s campus or teens propositioned at a nearby park and ride. These stories fuel the pushback.
This isn’t just about one building, it’s about balancing compassion with community safety. As Redmond moves forward, Lambert’s warning echoes: act now or face the same headaches as Bellevue.
If you’re in the area, her post suggests picking up the phone and making your voice heard. The debate shows no sign of slowing down.
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