House Bill 2489 (HB 2489), deceptively titled “Relating to establishing statewide standards for when local governments may enforce laws regulating the use of public space for life-sustaining activities,” is a prime example of Olympia politicians stripping power from cities and counties, leaving communities to bear the brunt of unchecked homelessness.
HB 2489 would prohibit local governments from enforcing ordinances against camping, sleeping, or other activities on public property unless the city can prove “adequate alternative shelter space” is available. By imposing rigid statewide mandates, HB 2489 effectively handcuffs mayors and councils, eroding the local control essential for tailored solutions to urban challenges.
At its core, HB 2489 removes autonomy from municipalities. Cities like Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane have long grappled with homelessness through a mix of compassion and accountability, enforcing no-camping rules in parks, sidewalks, and business districts while expanding shelters. HB 2489 removes the ability for local government and law enforcement to help the homeless get back on their feet and into housing. Local leaders, who know their communities best, are sidelined by bureaucrats in Olympia dictating policy. This one-size-fits-all approach ignores regional differences, rural counties face different realities than urban hubs, leading to inefficient solutions.
The real tragedy unfolds in downtown areas, where the effects of HB 2489 could be catastrophic. Without the ability to clear public spaces, encampments will proliferate in high-traffic areas like business districts and parks. We’ve seen this play out before. In cities post-Grants Pass v. Johnson, reduced enforcement led to sprawling tent cities that deter shoppers, tourists, and investors. Downtown Seattle, already struggling with post-pandemic recovery, could see further decline as sidewalks continue to be obstructed, increasing safety risks from fires, drug use, and crime. Small businesses, cafes, retailers, and offices, already report losing customers due to perceived danger and unsanitary conditions.
Communities suffer holistically. Families avoid parks turned into no-go zones, schools near encampments deal with disruptions, and public health deteriorates from waste and disease spread. Instead of empowering cities with resources for housing-first initiatives, it fosters dependency on state oversight, bloating bureaucracy without results.
Washingtonians deserve better. Lawmakers should reject HB 2489 and prioritize policies that restore local authority and address root causes like housing affordability and behavioral health. Without local control, our downtowns risk becoming shadows of their vibrant potential, harming residents, businesses, and the homeless alike.
