I’ve written a post at Forbes that seems to have gained some attention. It’s hard not to get attention about the KOMO program called Seattle is Dying. Everyone is talking about it. And I’ve given my caution about what conclusions to draw about the report. My latest post is taking a look at the two sides that have formed around the report, one that sees it as illegitimate propaganda and another that sees it as reflecting the “silent majority” that are enraged by tents and garbage in the streets. I think the way this whole thing is playing out misses the point that there is something to the report, but the people angry about tents and the homeless problem aren’t pro-housing or pro-growth, just anti-tent. Here’s the opening paragraph. You can read the whole article at Forbes.

By now, the local television report called, “Seattle is Dying” has become national fodder for the discussion of homelessness in large West Coast cities. The controversy that swirls around Seattle is Dying tells us more about the people upset by it than it does about the report. In Seattle, those angry about tents in public rights of way think the report gives voice to legitimate anger; those who think homelessness is an economic issue think the report is a hit job by Republicans (Sinclair owns KOMO the local station behind Seattle is Dying). What does all this tell us about Seattle in 2019?