SEATTLE — For the past six years the city of Seattle has provided safe housing for 95 alcoholics who otherwise would be on the street.
The experimental apartment building has been controversial because residents are allowed to drink as much as they like. They goal is to reduce run-ins with police and trips to jail and hospital emergency rooms.
KING-TV reports a two-year study by the University of Washington found residents at 1811 Eastlake drink less than they did on the street. The average number of drinks declined from 20 a day to 12. Researchers believe it’s a result of having a stable place to live.
A separate study found that housing homeless alcoholics cut the cost for police, medical and social services by half.
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