HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 51 - 08-14-2020 - Hearing Exhibit - KC 07 - Declaration of Jody RauchITEM NO. 51
HEX-000639
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BEFORE THE CITY OF RENTON
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
In re the matter of the Appeal by
Renton Hotel Investors, LLC,
Downtown Emergency Services Center,
King County
Appellants.
Case No. CODE20-000321
Jody Rauch declares as follows:
1. I am competent to testify and have personal knowledge of the matters herein.
2. I am an Advanced Practice Nurse Specialist and the Clinical Quality Lead for the
Healthcare for the Homeless Network (HCHN) of Public Health — Seattle & King County,
3. I have served in my current position for 2 V2, years, and with HCHN for 4 years,
working previously as nurse and mobile van nurse. In total, I have dedicated 16 years to public
health nursing throughout the Seattle area.
4. I earned a BS in Nursing from the University of Washington (2004), and Master's
in Cultural Studies also from UW Bothell (2013).
Daniel T. Satterberg, Prosecuting Attorney
CN[L DIVISION
W400 King County Courthouse
DECLARATION OF JODY RAUCH - 1
516 ndrelAvenue Seattle,
Washington 98104 206)
477-1120/FAX (206) 296-0191
HEX-000640
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5. HCHN is a network of 11 community partners providing healthcare services
including medical, behavioral, substance abuse, and case management for
people experiencing homelessness throughout King County.
6. We at HCHN provide these services in clinics, permanent supportive housing
sitesI tiny house villages, shelters, encampments, and day centers.
7. Since late February, we have concentrated our efforts on preventing and
diagnosing homeless patients with COVID-19.
8. Even before the COVID-19 epidemic, there was a tremendous scarcity of
housing and even shelter beds for the local homeless population.
9. According to the most recent count, there were an estimated 11,751 individuals
experiencing homelessness in King County, on January 24, 2020.
10. An estimated 47%were unsheltered, living in in a park, tent or car. Some 53%
were sheltered, in an emergency shelter or transitional housing facility for example. This data is
available online at'hops•/hegionalhomelesssysteln org/kin -cgoiuty-point-in-time-count/.
L1. Beginning in February, we in HCHN began work to protect this population, and
the most vulnerable among them, from COVID-19.
12. We worked to adhere to the best practice recommendations from Public Health —
Seattle &Ding County, the Washington Department of Health, CDC, and to the orders of the
Local Health Officer, Dr. Jeff Duchin, including de -intensification of congregate shelters.
13. To slow and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we worked closely with the City
of Seattle and the King County Department of Community and Health Services to create
temporary living spaces that provided the most vulnerable congregate shelter residents with
private bedrooms and bathrooms.
DECLARATION OF JODY RAUCH - 2
Daniel T. Satterberg, Prosecuting Attorney
CIVIL DIVISION
W400 King CounTy Courthouse
516 Third Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98104
206) 477-1120/FAX (206) 296-0191
HEX-000641
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14, If we lose these spaces, some of the most vulnerable will have to sleep on the
streets, in doorways, or encampments, with far less access to toilets, clean water, and showers.
15. Our patients who sleep in encampments often chose to do so as protection from
violence and theft.
16. There are few toilets, hand washing facilities, and even fewer showers and
washing machines available to the unsheltered homeless. Folks generally rely on community
businesses and services for toilets and hand washing, which are grossly inadequate. The local
unsheltered homeless population is already in the midst of hepatitis A outbreak, which is
primarily afecal-oral transmitted disease.
17. Arise in the number of people living on the streets and in encampments will
likely increase the need for COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, and emergency room and hospital
admissions.
18. Taking away de -intensification sites is contrary to the science and guidance from
Public Health, the Department of Health, and CDC on controlling COVID-19, and increases the
likelihood of disease transmission and outbreaks.
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington that the
foregoing is true and correct.
Respectfully submitted this Sth day of August at Seattle, WA.
DECLARATION OF JODY RAUCH - 3
Jody Rauch
Daniel T. Satterberg, Prosecuting Attorney
CIVIL DIVISION
W4(10 King County Courthouse
516 Tlurd Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98104
206) 477-1120/FAX (206) 296-0191
HEX-000642