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Amazon is Opening the Largest Family Shelter in Washington State Right Inside Its Headquarters (inputmag.com) 198

Amazon is building a homeless shelter on its Seattle campus. From a report: The proposed shelter, which is being co-created by nonprofit Mary's Place, will live in Amazon's Seattle headquarters and is set to open sometime in the first quarter of 2020. The new shelter will have the capacity to serve approximately 275 people each night. This is only about two percent of the estimated 12,500 homeless people in King County, where Seattle is located. While this is certainly a minor fix overall, the size of the new space will actually make it the largest family shelter in Washington state. The shelter is also expected to make upwards of 600,000 meals per year.
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Amazon is Opening the Largest Family Shelter in Washington State Right Inside Its Headquarters

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  • How noble of them (Score:4, Insightful)

    by DrXym ( 126579 ) on Tuesday December 31, 2019 @07:31AM (#59573078)
    This token gesture certainly convinces me that they shouldn't have to pay their fair share of taxes or a living wage to their workers.
    • Re:How noble of them (Score:4, Informative)

      by Hodr ( 219920 ) on Tuesday December 31, 2019 @07:46AM (#59573098) Homepage

      Token gesture that may also make their headquarters a less desirable workplace.

      Not trying to be crass, but providing a valuable but limited (250 out of 12k) resource is an invitation for loitering to a population that has a much higher than average incidence of mental and physical health issues, lesser access to sanitation facilities, and higher than average propensity for petty crime.

      • Yeah, this is the ghetto solution. Debunked in effectiveness long ago.

      • Re:How noble of them (Score:5, Interesting)

        by Nidi62 ( 1525137 ) on Tuesday December 31, 2019 @07:56AM (#59573108)

        Not trying to be crass, but providing a valuable but limited (250 out of 12k) resource is an invitation for loitering to a population that has a much higher than average incidence of mental and physical health issues, lesser access to sanitation facilities, and higher than average propensity for petty crime.

        This is a family shelter though, so mental illness is likely going to be less of a factor.

        But the cynic in me also says great, we're one step closer back to work houses. How long before Amazon offers the residents there "on the job training" or "internships" at a local warehouse?

        • Re: (Score:3, Informative)

          by weilawei ( 897823 )

          The alternative these days is to put them in jail. Statistically, that's what we're doing to minorities in overwhelming numbers.

          Once they're in jail, they'll be "incentivized" to work for slave wages (a dollar a day is considered an excellent wage in many institutions in the US) with "good time" off their sentence.

          The entire system, from one end to the other, is based on a long-running racial/class war aimed at suppressing minorities and preventing unification of any groups who might achieve political force

        • by Applehu Akbar ( 2968043 ) on Tuesday December 31, 2019 @09:16AM (#59573274)

          But the cynic in me also says great, we're one step closer back to work houses. How long before Amazon offers the residents there "on the job training" or "internships" at a local warehouse?

          Oh, the horror! We're speculating about something that hasn't happened yet, but the threat that Amazon might offer not just housing for the homeless but job training has to be stopped. Time to have AOC and Jason Momoa protest outside the headquarters.

          • by Nidi62 ( 1525137 )

            But the cynic in me also says great, we're one step closer back to work houses. How long before Amazon offers the residents there "on the job training" or "internships" at a local warehouse?

            Oh, the horror! We're speculating about something that hasn't happened yet, but the threat that Amazon might offer not just housing for the homeless but job training has to be stopped. Time to have AOC and Jason Momoa protest outside the headquarters.

            I did the quotes around "on the job training" and "internship" in the implication that it would be low, or even non paying, jobs. Hey, instead of using robots, they can just use the younger kids to climb up shelves and knock off the products to the sorter below!

        • by Cyberax ( 705495 )

          But the cynic in me also says great, we're one step closer back to work houses. How long before Amazon offers the residents there "on the job training" or "internships" at a local warehouse?

          There are no warehouses nearby. Mary's place offers job training, but it's not affiliated with Amazon.

      • Do I give a shit if SCAMazon bros are a bit less comfortable?
        • Since it won't be corporate leadership or Amazon's customers sleeping in these conditions, your anger would seem slightly misplaced. The rank-and-file Amazon workers are getting screwed by scut wages and shit conditions, too.

          • by b0s0z0ku ( 752509 ) on Tuesday December 31, 2019 @08:55AM (#59573222)
            HQ is code-monkeys and management, not warehouse drones. Nah, fuck 'em.
            • I don't quite understand what you have against the warehouse workers. The "code-monkeys and management" are the ones you ought to be upset with, as it's their system.

              • I don't. I'm saying the management and coders at HQ deserve a bit of discomfort -- if they were warehouse workers, I'd have more empathy.
                • Ah I see what you're saying. Yeah, we agree.

                • by cusco ( 717999 )

                  Mary's Place is already located in a former hotel that Amazon purchased for redevelopment and then gave them to use for no charge. I walk by it every day, there's no "discomfort" involved (unless the very presence of women with children makes you uncomfortable, and then I'd say the problem is you).

          • by cusco ( 717999 )

            Sorry, but the rank-and-file Amazonian average wage is $102,000/year. If those are "scut wages" then you really have no clue what normal people earn.
            https://www.payscale.com/resea... [payscale.com]

            • I'm talking about the Rank and File. You know, the troops in the warehouse. Rank and File has NEVER referred to management or the officers. The term literally means all those standing on the field in formation, not the officers!

              • by cusco ( 717999 )

                You're talking about contractors, not Amazon employees. If they're being paid poorly it's the fault of their actual employers, who don't value their labor sufficiently to charge enough for it. Take it up with the people writing their paychecks.

      • Yeah, but think of all the photo ops they'll have when their employees âvolunteer" at the shelter. This is a total PR win from a taxation/lobbying perspective, and it'll totally work for the segment of the population that is still convinced billionaires make the world a better place. Also, Seattle has a huge meandering homeless population already due to Amazon's influence on housing prices in the city. I doubt this will change much.
      • by Cyberax ( 705495 )

        Token gesture that may also make their headquarters a less desirable workplace.

        The shelter is in a totally separate space, there are no interconnections with the rest of the building.

        Moreover, there has always been a family shelter right next to Amazon's Alexandria building and another one a block away from LowFlyingHawk. Most people don't even know about them.

        Perhaps it would be a good thing if fewer snobs will work at Amazon.

      • by cusco ( 717999 )

        This is a family shelter, not a homeless shelter. Mary's Place is almost entirely women with children, many of them refugees from abusive relationships. Amazon purchased the (run down and very much smaller) building that they used to be located in, and offered them the use of a hotel that had been purchased for redevelopment at no charge. Once they've moved into their new and much larger facility (again offered at no charge) that hotel will be demolished and a new building put up.

        Amazon is also donating

      • Amazon is expected to house all 12,000 homeless in King county, or risk its gesture being dismissed as 'token'? To 275 people/night it's not 'token'.

        Amazon paid no FEDERAL income taxes because, and this is hard for many to understand, the tax laws in effect didn't require them to pay any. (The tax burden was actually shifted to individuals that pay higher tax rate, but why let that spoil a foot internet meme?)

        How many homeless beds does Seattle's second largest employer provide?

        Amazon paid or of state and

      • Many homeless don't fit this stereotype anymore. There is a huge recent rise in homelessness, despite glowing reports of economic health. One bad medical bill can leave someone bankrupt, or a divorce, or loss of a job, and so forth. Many of them do have jobs, but you can't make ends meet on minimum wage. Add to that the growing housing costs. These are not the mentally ill, heroin junkies, panhandlers, etc.

    • Iâ(TM)m sure they what the govt demands of them. If you do not like the amount, blame the govt.

    • by Applehu Akbar ( 2968043 ) on Tuesday December 31, 2019 @09:11AM (#59573258)

      This token gesture certainly convinces me that they shouldn't have to pay their fair share of taxes or a living wage to their workers.

      Yes, let's rush to demonize this action somehow. It doesn't fit The Narrative.

      • by Mashiki ( 184564 ) <mashiki.gmail@com> on Tuesday December 31, 2019 @10:12AM (#59573438) Homepage

        Yes, let's rush to demonize this action somehow. It doesn't fit The Narrative.

        If Amazon really gave two shits, first they'd pay their taxes. Second they be putting pressure on local governments to open up the housing market instead of keeping it bottled up.

        • Taxes (Score:4, Informative)

          by virtig01 ( 414328 ) on Tuesday December 31, 2019 @10:29AM (#59573510)

          If Amazon really gave two shits, first they'd pay their taxes.

          Amazon is well known for minimizing their income tax, but Washington State doesn't levy an income tax. Homelessness is a local issue, and in the case of WA, it's not income tax that would be funding solutions anyway. Other government revenue sources (consumption tax, property tax) are harder to avoid, and Amazon pays a boatload of those.

        • by cusco ( 717999 )

          putting pressure on local governments to open up the housing market instead of keeping it bottled up

          What the frack are you babbling about? Seattle has one of the most aggressive residential construction booms in the country right now. I can see three construction cranes working on new apartment buildings from my office window. People are putting up houses in Sultan and Graham and commuting downtown. There isn't a neighborhood in King, Pierce or Snohomish Counties that isn't undergoing a building boom.

      • Yes, let's rush to demonize this action somehow. It doesn't fit The Narrative.

        It's not demonising the action, it's pointing out correctly that Amazon is a shitty company and this act of philanthropy does not mean they should be given a free pass on being a shitty company in other areas.

        We all said exactly the same about Bill Gates when he turned from being a bastard who broke the law repeatedly to put other companies out of business to someone buying a legacy with his ill gotten gains.

        But sure turn it into

        • Tell me about Starbucks homeless shelter in Seattle...

          Don't confuse legally avoiding federal income taxes with state and local taxes.

          Homelessness is a local problem, best served by local solutions.

          They say Seattle is enjoying a housing boom, why isn't that boom fueling a similar - court mandated - low-income housing boom? I've seen it tried in NJ and other states, what about Seattle?

      • Yes, let's rush to demonize this action somehow. It doesn't fit The Evidence.

        FYFY.

        As the saying goes, fool me once shame on you, fool me... you can't get fooled again...

    • Amazon is paying every cent of taxes the Law requires. If they are getting any deduction (federal level) it is one that is available to all companies.
      Any Special Federal, State or Local tax breaks WERE voted on and approved by your elected officials!
      Have an issue, guess you need to see what your local leaders are doing. And take action.

      The Urban problems in America HAVE BEEN CREATED by the government policies. Now every politician wants more and more money to fix the problems they caused, Right!

      Just m
    • If they are helping 275 people each night then it sounds like they are doing a better job than any city bureaucracy could do. They even managed to do it in a high property value area where NIMBY liberals hate seeing homeless people.
  • by PolygamousRanchKid ( 1290638 ) on Tuesday December 31, 2019 @08:30AM (#59573152)

    The shelter is also expected to make upwards of 600,000 meals per year.

    . . . Soylent Green!

  • by ibpooks ( 127372 )

    How about all you cynical and snide miserable fucks commenting on this article shut the fuck up about how much more Amazon could do. Amazon is providing 275 more beds and 600,000 more meals than any of you are. If it is so important to you, then stop telling Amazon how many more people they should help, and invite a homeless family into your house and buy them food using your money just like Amazon is doing with theirs.

    Stop belittling Amazon for doing something when almost everyone else is doing nothing.

    • My gripe with Amazon is doing this in a centralized way has been shown, time and again, to actually increase the issues. If you take a whole bunch of poor people and segregate them, they stay poor. If you integrate them and dilute their numbers into a less poor population, they become less poor.

      This was tried already in a big way with the housing projects. Now "the projects" is practically dictionary for "hell on earth".

      • by cusco ( 717999 )

        You apparently don't realize that this is a building in the middle of the corporate campus where the average wage is over a hundred grand. Pretty much the opposite of segregating them.

        That's immaterial anyway, this is a family shelter, women and children, most of them fleeing domestic abuse.

        • The beggars are separated by the income chasm as surely as by walls.

          You don't cross a river by jumping. You build a bridge and work your way over it.

    • Aw c'mon, don't mod OP troll.

      I don't agree with the OP, but it's a legit opionion, and I can concede that Amazon are doing some measure of physical good, even if it is just maintaining the status quo.

      • by ibpooks ( 127372 )

        Interestingly I agree with you that what is being done in general is not the /best/ thing, but it does alleviate immediate suffering. The whole popular notion of homelessness simply being a lack of a home is silly. Any solution that doesn't include mental health treatment and drug/alcohol treatment will only ever maintain the status quo at best.

        However until the laws (especially in CA) are changed to allow for expanded conservatorship and redefinition of "gravely disabled" to include the inability to feed

    • by Mashiki ( 184564 )

      Bullshit. I've worked with the Sally Ann for years and they've done more for people then Amazon has and continue to do so, even after the latest leftwing bullshit train trying to demonize them. This is a typical PR move because someone made a bit of noise and some corp welfare officer saw it as something they could put on a placard. It's literally PR tokenism. If you really want to help people find your local sally ann or a good church that operates not only beds, meals but job training and help that wa

      • by ibpooks ( 127372 )

        My point is that the reason and intent doesn't really matter anywhere nearly as much as the action does. Even if Amazon wants nothing more than good publicity, they're still giving hungry people food which is doing more than millions of others have done or will ever do.

        • by Mashiki ( 184564 )

          My point is that the reason and intent doesn't really matter anywhere nearly as much as the action does. Even if Amazon wants nothing more than good publicity, they're still giving hungry people food which is doing more than millions of others have done or will ever do.

          One of the local foodbanks nearby to where I live, in a city of 500k people gives out more meals in a year then Amazon is doing. That's in Canada, Amazon is doing shit when it has massive capital and leverage power.

          • Canada has that many hungry/poor on one city? I thought Canada solves all those pesky social problems years ago, right after giving everyone free healthcare...

    • I don't know, the Soylent Green comment above was pretty funny!

      He doesn't seem too miserable.

    • I am very torn on this. On one hand...thanks for doing something about a real problem without an easy solution...on the other hand, Amazon and every corporation their size paid MUCH MORE than they gave back lobbying lower taxes and to remove worker protections, including wage protections.

      So, it's like being mugged systematically by mobsters demanding protection money from you...then they turn around and give 5% of your money back in a grand public gesture to a charity.

      I don't like being at the mercy
  • Maybe they should increase salaries instead so employees can afford proper housing?
    • Then the cost of housing will increase when you increase the salary .. so it won't help. The issue is that there are a fixed number of housing units and the city and homeowners don't want to allow more housing development. Think about it for a second, if there are a fixed number of housing units only a certain number of people can live there at any given time. If they are given higher salaries they can bid more for those housing units so the rent will go up accordingly.

      • by Mashiki ( 184564 )

        Yep, and what you'll see is similar to what we already see. Wages go up, housing prices spike, people who live there get priced out, flee to other nearby cities, which in turn cause housing prices to climb through the roof.

      • by cusco ( 717999 )

        Actually I can see three construction cranes working on new apartment buildings from my office window right now. People are putting up brand new houses in Sultan and Graham if they want property and to pay less. There are a lot of options, an awful lot of the homeless in the Seattle area are people who simply refuse not to live in the downtown area for whatever reason even though their jobs don't provide enough money for housing now that the flophouses are gone.

    • by cusco ( 717999 )

      Increase it above $102,000 per year? I was able to afford proper housing in the Seattle area when I was still making a third of that, if you can't then you're doing something wrong.

      https://www.payscale.com/resea... [payscale.com]

      • Since when is the AVERAGE Amazon worker on salary? Most are slaving for a pittance hourly in the warehouses.

        You're a disingenuous fuck, you know that?

  • 16 Tons (Score:5, Funny)

    by kackle ( 910159 ) on Tuesday December 31, 2019 @09:44AM (#59573346)

    You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
    Another day older and deeper in debt
    Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
    I owe my soul to the company store

  • by schwit1 ( 797399 ) on Tuesday December 31, 2019 @09:45AM (#59573352)

    https://www.facebook.com/Texas... [facebook.com]

    They use trailers on donated 51 acres in Austin. It's a person first design that puts community interaction and community jobs at the center. It also has zero government involvement.

  • by Fly Swatter ( 30498 ) on Tuesday December 31, 2019 @10:54AM (#59573608) Homepage
    Company town makes comeback.
  • But providing homeless shelter and services is sort of like adding road capacity. The traffic will just increase to fill it. And then you are right back where you started.

  • For those seeing this as a noble act, this doesn’t even restore the amount of homeless services and shelters that have been closed to make room for Amazon in Seattle. Nor does it come close to making up for how many Amazon has driven to homelessness due to their massive contribution to income inequality in the area.

    Amazon also fought hard against a tiny (to them) head tax to fund homeless resources in the area. They got the tax struck down, and turned around to dump millions into the recent city counc

  • Guess this got me in a cynical mood, but that's what this -- and pretty much all efforts to do something about the homelessness problem -- really amounts to.
    If we really wanted a permanent solution to homelessness, I think we'll have to change the way our society is structured, perhaps even go so far as change the way our entire civilization is structured, and so far as I can tell our species in general just isn't interested in doing that.
    Add to that the fact that not only are the vast majority of people
    • But to reiterate: if we actually want a permanent solution to this problem, I think our society, and perhaps our entire civilization, needs to change, so that people don't fall between the cracks like this. When we treat our pets and other animals better than we treat some members of our own species, what does that say about us, as allegedly intelligent, sentient, civilized beings? What does it say about our entire civilization, really?

      It says the system is set so that people are allowed to succeed or fail on their own, usually based on their own merits or agency. An imperfect system that evolved where resources are limited and not evenly distributed, and there is no absolute power with an interest in guaranteeing outcomes for every single individual. Our society has also reached the point where population centers now sprawl for hundreds of miles, and total population is measured in the hundreds of millions.

      When taken in that context, it'

  • Bravo Amazon (Score:2, Insightful)

    by mauriceh ( 3721 )

    Doing more than anyone else, and so many are jumping on the hate train?

    Bravo to Amazon

    Shame on the haters.

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