City of Bellingham is actively pursuing compassionate and effective solutions to the unauthorized encampment located on private property near the corner of Northwest Avenue and W. Bakerview Road. We are acutely aware of the concerns expressed by area residents and businesses regarding the recent growth of this encampment and its negative impacts on the community.
This encampment spans multiple properties owned by different people and entities, which presents complex and unique challenges. While the City is responding as swiftly as possible within its authority and available resources, property owners bear the primary responsibility for addressing the unauthorized encampment on their land. The City has limitations in what it can do on private land and focuses on providing support, facilitating coordination among property owners, and ensuring public safety.
To address the situation with care and urgency, the following actions are currently underway:
Property owners commit to cleanup and security plans: As the result of regular meetings with City officials and collaboration with each other, property owners have committed to cleanup and security plans. This work will be performed by crews hired and paid for by property owners, with guidance and support provided by the City throughout the process.
On Thursday, Jan. 16, City staff notified remaining occupants of the encampment that they must vacate the property by Jan. 20. Property owners and their hired crews will proceed with the planned cleanup the week of Jan. 20.
If property owners fail to complete cleanup or if inadequate property security results in encampment activities recurring, the City will pursue enforcement actions as necessary to ensure compliance with public health and safety requirements.
Other related actions include:
- Social services coordination: In addition to our actions to resolve the encampment, the City has coordinated with area providers to encourage social services outreach to people living in or visiting this encampment, offering access to treatment, shelters and other services.
- Direct assistance to area property owners: In addition to supporting property owners involved in this encampment our staff is proactively reminding other property owners of their responsibilities to maintain and secure their properties. We are offering technical assistance in planning preventative measures to secure their undeveloped properties and will notify them in advance of any planned cleanups of other properties.
- Increased police presence: We’ve requested additional police patrols in the area to deter crime and ensure public safety. Additionally, we are providing support to neighboring businesses as they implement their own crime prevention and loss mitigation strategies.
- Enforcement action: The City has issued citations to one of the property owners who has failed to address public health and safety violations, reinforcing the importance of timely action.
We are committed to finding solutions that balance public safety, private property rights, and the well-being of individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders and/or behavioral health challenges. We also are committed to keeping our community informed about our actions and progress.
For more information about private property owners’ responsibilities regarding encampments, please visit Unauthorized Encampments on Private Property.
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