Soaring Housing Costs Worsen Seattle Area Homeless Problem: AP

SEATTLE, WA - A new report from the Associated Press reveals a startling rise in homelessness up and down the West Coast with housing costs and the tech boom as major factors contributing to the problem. The 2017 count of homeless people found more than 5,400 in King County living outside in tents, RVs, and on local streets.

In large cities like Seattle, there's an ongoing political battle on how to solve the problem. Seattle City Council members Kirsten Harris-Talley and Mike O'Brien have proposed a 10 percent "head tax" on Seattle's largest businesses to fund more shelters and homeless outreach. That proposal could be passed as part of the city's 2018 budget.

Meanwhile, many politicians are under pressure from local residents who don't want to see homeless people living outside - especially near their homes.

Watch the Associated Press report on homelessness:

Image via Neal McNamara/Patch