The decision to allow the homeless shelter in Ballard without background checks has been made. I’m simply at a loss as to why the church would not establish a more formal, common sense system of background checks given the immediate proximity of the residential area. I deeply appreciate the church’s spiritual role in providing care for those in need, and I honor the care, but am stumped as to why it is somehow viewed as inappropriate to provide this basic level of protection for the neighborhood.

During the legislative session there was a bill to prevent any ‘unreasonable’ regulation by a city from interfering with a church’s right to house the homeless. I was one of only six Democrats to vote against this measure in the House (it died in the Senate) because I was troubled by situations just like this. I feel that church’s do have an obligation to the neighbors to take all steps possible to ensure the right of the church to be placed in a residential neighborhood isn’t taken advantage of inappropriately. As a father of four young children, I just don’t understand why asking for a more formal system of background checks (rather than just an informal interview process) wouldn’t be seen as common sense.

Let’s hope King County’s 10 year plan to end homelessness can get additional traction and the state can step up to its responsibilities in this critical area.

http://www.myballard.com/2009/05/10/controversial-homeless-shelter-moving-to-ballard/