Lawsuit challenges Burien's new ordinance banning homeless camping

A controversial ordinance that bans camping in the city of Burien is being challenged in court by a homeless advocacy group and three people who are currently living unhoused in the city.

Ordinance 827, which went into effect on Nov. 1, makes it a misdemeanor to camp on public property between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. when shelter space is available.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday by the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness and the Northwest Justice Project alleges there is a "almost complete lack" of shelter in Burien and King County.

In November, the City Council voted to accept a $1 million offer from King County to build 35 pallet shelters for the homeless in Burien.
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