In season five of the Seattle Growth Podcast, host Jeff Shulman examines one of the most serious side effects of Seattle’s rampant growth: an amplifying homelessness crisis

It’s a topic that affects everyone.

“Whether you find yourself at risk of homelessness, know somebody on the brink of homelessness, or just have seen the tents lining streets and parks all over Seattle, you’re likely affected in some way by this key issue facing our city,” says Shulman, an associate professor of marketing and the Marion B. Ingersoll Professor at the UW Foster School of Business.

To begin a constructive dialog on the controversial issues around the crisis and how to address it, Shulman has spoken to a broad spectrum of people, from those experiencing homelessness to civic leaders and activists addressing the problem to regular citizens and organizations working to make a difference.

“The hope is that this season will help us all become better informed as the city wrestles with decisions that could profoundly affect all of us and shape Seattle for decades to come,” Shulman says. “Other voices will share simple ways to take action, empowering everyone to improve lives.”

Episode 1 of the Seattle Growth Podcast, season 5, begins with a man named Ty, living outside of City Hall, who shares his experience of homelessness.

King County Executive Dow Constantine, a “triple Dawg” with three degrees from the University of Washington, gives an overview of the regional approach to addressing the crisis.

And Robert Wasser, owner of Prospera Real Estate and president of the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (and a 2005 graduate of the Foster School), provides a reality check on housing affordability through revealing data on home sales and rental rates, and offers a forecast for future home-seekers.

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Dow Constantine Robert Wasser

The Seattle Growth Podcast is hosted and produced by Shulman, an associate professor of marketing and the Marion B. Ingersoll Professor at the UW Foster School of Business.