Seattle Planning to Clear Out More Homeless Encampments

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle officials are planning more sweeps to clear out homeless encampments throughout the city this winter.

The Seattle Times reports that officials say they will spend extra money to move homeless people indoors. Deputy director of Seattle's Human Services Department says the emergency funds are paying for 100 additional shelter beds and more aid for people living in unauthorized encampments.

But some say the city's homeless population is too large to ensure help for everyone who gets cleared from the camps.

The number of sweeps of unauthorized campsites in Seattle has grown to 527 so far this year, up from 80 in 2012. Officials attribute the increase to better options for people to report camps and fewer places to set up camp amid construction.